PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 18
John Owen · 300,763 words · 293 reading sections
Section 1
Tending pine? Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2022 with funding from Kahle/Austin Foundation https://archive.org/details/worksofjohnowend00180wen =| = THE WORKS OF JOHN OWEN, D.D. EDITED BY THE REV. WILLIAM H. GOOLD, EDINBURGH. VOL. XYIII. ves QVERAMVS SVPERNA JOHNSTONE AND HUNTER, LONDON AND EDINBU…
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Vir GENERAL PREFACE. specting which even the Christian, who denied its continued obliga- tion, was ready to admit that it was promulgated originally under the highest seals of divine authority. The argument by which the stead- fastness of the primitive converts was secured, and the superior glory of the Christian disp…
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x GENERAL PREFACE, tian author comes most directly into collision with those who impugn the divinity of Christ, or deny that he was the promised Messiah. The Exercitations, though they have been in some measure over- looked, will be found of singular and permanent value when they are carefully examined. They are by n…
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Certain characteristics will be noticed in this edition which, it is hoped, will be regarded as improvements. As in the original edition, all the prefaces are given at length. In the edition of Dr Wright, and in the reprint of Mr Tegg, a preface is given which is made up of all the different prefaces by Owen, and which…
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TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Sir WILLIAM MORRICH, Kyteur, ONE OF HIS MAJESTY’S MOST HONOURABLE PRIVY COUNCIL, AND PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OF STATE, ETC. Sir, Tue dedication of books unto persons of worth and honour hath secured itself from the impeachment of censure, by taking sanctuary in the usage of all times and ages. He…
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The help which I might receive from the sedulous labours of so many learned men, and those in times, places, principles, distant and distinguished from each other, as also managing their common design with great variety as to particular intentions, I looked on as a matter of no small advantage unto me. Some, I found, h…
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~ TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. Uf stitutions, received sense of places of Scripture amongst the Jews, he either pro- duceth or reflects upon; and one way or other makes use of the whole Mosaical economy, or system of divine worship under the law, unto hisown purpose. The common neglect of these things, or slight transact…
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Now, as I had observed that the consideration and explanation of them had been too much neglected by the generality of expositors, so I quickly found that to insist at large upon themyand according as their weight doth deserve, in the particular places wherein the mention of them doth occur, would too often and too muc…
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IL.—THE PREFACE, Tue general concernments of this Epistle have all of them been discussed and cleared in the preceding Exercitations and Discourses. The things and matters confirmed in them we therefore here suppose, and take for granted. And they are such, some of them, as without a demonstration whereof a genuine an…
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II. A second thing to be previously observed is, that although those to whom the apostle wrote were of the several sorts before mentioned, yet they centred in this, that they were Hebrews by birth and religion, who all agreed in some common principles relating to the subject he treated with them about. These he makes u…
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The law of Moses, then, was not actually abrogated by Christ, who observed the rules of it in the days of his flesh; nor by the apostles, who seldom used their liberty from it, leaving the use of it to the Jews still; but having done its work whereunto it was designed, and its obligation expiring, ending, and being rem…
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1. Properly, as to the special and peculiar tendency of the principles and doc- trines handled; and so they specially intend the Jews, and must be opened with respect to them, their principles, traditions, opinions, objections,—all which must therefore be considered, that the peculiar force and efficacy of the apostle’…
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2. There will be relief found against that discouragement which the appearing length of these discourses may give the reader, from the variety of their subject- matter or the things that are contained in them; for there are few of them on any single head that extend themselves beyond a page, or leaf at the most. Wheref…
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I have not more to add concerning the ensuing Exposition; for to give the reader a particular account either of my travail therein or of the means used in its carry- ing on, beyond what I have mentioned in the preface unto the preceding volume, I judge not convenient, as not willing to give the least appearance of any …
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VOL. XVIII. 2 18 THE PREFACE TO THE READER. Christ and his expiatory sacrifice. What way, therefore, remained in this case, to state a right judgment in this controversy, but a particular discussion of what their principal authors and leaders, with great agreement among themselves, do teach in this matter? -And if fr…
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I shall briefly acquaint the reader with what relieved me against this objection, and gave me satisfaction in the publishing of this part of the Exposition after it was finished. For I could not but remember that the times and seasons wherein the former parts of it were published were very little more settled and quiet…
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[2.] There is therefore, in these chapters, an absolute, infallible interpretation of the whole Law; without which it would be a sealed book, and. of no use unto us. But as the intention and mind of God in those legal institutions is here declared, there is nothing in the whole Scripture that tends more to the illumina…
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These are the holy sayings of God, the glorious discoveries of himself and his grace,—the glass wherein we may behold the glory of Christ, until we are trans- formed into the same image, from glory to glory. 22 THE PREFACE TO THE READER. What, in the exposition of these things and others of an alike nature, God hath …
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2. One part of the work of the apostle, is to show the great effects that have been, from the beginning of the world, wrought by faith: how that Abel and the other antediluvian patriarchs; that Noah, and all the fathers from him until Abraham’s being called out of Ur of the Chaldees; that Abraham, and all the old belie…
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place is in the canes or reeds, are termed 2? 90, “The beasts of the reeds,” Ps. Ixviii. 30. Particularly, it signifies a reed made into an instrument wherewith they measured their buildings, contain- ing six cubits in length, Ezek. xl. 7, xlii 16; and hence indefinitely it is taken for a rule ora measure. Besides, it…
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Hist. lib. vii, cap. xxx. 4 Iren, lib. iv. cap. Ixix. © Chrysost. in 2ad Cor. cap. vi. ad finem. 28 CANONICAL AUTHORITY OF THE [EXERC. I. Tpagéy, “all these things of (or from) the Scriptures,” which are the canon of our faith and obedience. And Austin: ‘“Demonstrent eccle- siam suam, non in rumoribus Africorum, sed …
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The distribution of the books of the Old Testament into the Law, Psalms, and Prophets, was very ancient in their church. We have - mention of it Luke xxiv.44: Ta yeypayméva év ri Niup Maoéwe, xo. Tpo- enraic, xa) Vorwoig-—-“ That are written in the Law of Moses, and in ?Maimon. More Nebuch. p. ii. cap. lii.; Kimchi Pr…
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1 Concil. Carth. 3, cap. xlvii. cod. can. xx. 2 Epiphan. Heer, xxx. cap. XY. 3 Buseb. lib. iv.cap. xxvi.; lib. vi. cap. xxv. be Athanas. in Synops. 5 Hilar, Preefat. in Ps, 6 Nazian. in Carmin. 7 Cyril. Catech. iv. § Epiphan. Heer. viii. 9 Ruf. Exposit. Symb. 10 Hieron. Preef. Galeat, ad Paulin. » Hieron. Preef. in lib…
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13. Baronius,® ad an. 60, labours to take off this failure of the Latin church. The testimony of Eusebius he rejects, because, as he 1 Petrus Clunia. Epist. ad Petrobrusia. 2 Huseb. lib. iii. cap. iii., lib. vi. cap. xx. 8 Photius Biblioth. cod. xlviii. cod. exx. 4 Lib. iii. cap. iii. 5 Hpist. cxxix. ad Dardan.; Comme…
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16. No impeachment, then, of the authority of this Epistle can be taken from this defect and inadvertency of the Roman church, it being evinced to be so by the concurrent suffrage and testimony of all other churches in the world from the days of the apostles; as we shall afterwards more fully declare. Neither are the o…
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17. Bellarmine’ chargeth Luther, Brentius, Chemnitius, and the Centuriators, with the rejection of this Epistle. But because I know that some of them are falsely accused by him, I am apt to suspect the same of the rest, which I have not the opportunity to consult; and so I shall not reckon them amongst the opposers of …
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20. It seems to be of more importance that, if the objectors may be believed, the writer of this Epistle czteth testumonies out of the Old Testament that are no ways to his purpose, nor at all prove the matter that he produceth them for, discovering at least that he wrote with a fallible spirit, if not also that he dea…
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And this is the sum of what I can meet withal that is objected against the canonical, authority of this Epistle; which how little it amounts unto, beyond an evidence of men’s willingness to lay hold on slight occasions to vent their curiosities and conceptions, the reader that is godly and wise will quickly perceive. …
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Nor is it liable to be esteemed of the other extract, or the diligence and wisdom of man in collecting it from other books of divine revelation; which alone with any colour of reason can be pretended. Human diligence, regulated by what is elsewhere revealed of God, is human still; and can never free itself from those i…
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world may as well want the sun in the firmament as the church this Epistle; and this persuasion we hope, through God’s assist- ance, to further in our exposition of it. (3.) God’s way in teaching the church of the old testament, with the use and end of all the operose pedagogy of Moses, manifesting it to be full of wis…
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and wisdom of God, than this Epistle doth. Such, I say, is the subject-matter of this Epistle,—so divine, so excellent, so singular. And in the handling hereof have we not the least occasional mia- twre of any matter, words, sentences, stories, arguments, or doctrines, so unsuited to the whole as to argue the interposu…
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26. The style, also, of the sacred Scripture, or gpdorws yapanrap, as it is termed by Eusebius in this argument, is of deserved consideration. By the style of any writing, we understand both the propriety of the words, with their grammatical construction, and that composition of the whole which renders it fit, decorous…
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1 Preef. in Esaiam et Amosum. 2 Franciscus Picus, Exam. Doct. Gent. lib. ii. cap. ii; Bibliander. de Ratione Discendi Hebrxe.; Mornaus de Veritat. Christ. Relig. cap. xvi. ; Rivet. Isagog. ad Sac. Script. cap. xxviii. ; Glassius, Philol. Sac. Preef. ad Rhetor. ; Origen. tom. iv. in Evang. Johan.; Hieron. Epist. cli, ad…
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(1.) It becometh the majesty, authority, and hoviness, of Him. in whose name it speaketh. And hence it is that, by its simplicity without corruption, gravity without affectation, plainness without: alluring ornaments, it doth not so much entice, move, or persuade, as constrain, press, and pierce into the mind and affec…
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Whatever hath ‘been thus spoken concerning the style of the sacred Scripture in general, it is as applicable unto this Epistle unto the Hebrews as to any one portion of holy writ whatever. That simplicity, gravity, unaffectedness, suitableness to its author, matter, and end, which commend the whole unto us, are eminent…
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33. From this authority they find a divine efficacy proceeding, a powerful operation upon their souls and consciences, unto all the ends of the Scripture. A reverence and awe of God, from his authority shining forth and exerting itself in it, being wrought in them, they find their minds effectually brought into captivi…
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And thus, I hope, we have made it evident that this Epistle is not destitute of any one of those rexwjpe, or infallible proofs and argu- ments whereby any particular book of the Scripture evinceth itself unto the consciences of men to be written by inspiration from God. It remaineth now to show that 2¢ is not luable un…
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36. Circumstances of the general argument of a book may also con- vince it of a human or fallible original. This they do, for instance, in the book of Judith;—for such a Nabuchodonosor as should reign in Nineve, chap. i. 1, and make war with Arphaxad, king of Ecba- tane, verse 13; whose captains and officers should kno…
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SECT. 37-40. | EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 63 of it, and generally suited unto the analogy of faith, yet there may be, in the manner of its composure and writing, such an ostentation of wit, fancy, learning, or eloquence; such an affectation of words, phrases, and expressions; such rhetorical painting of things small and …
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6 AUTHOR OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 65 Trypho the Jew, Odris torw 6 xark chy chk Meayicedix Bucireds Baru, nal aidvios iepeds dxpiorov dxdépywy». Wlsewhere he calls Christ, aidvoy rod @eod fepta xa) Bucirtn, zah Xporoy wtrrovra yiverbas, and Apolog. i. p. 95, he says of Christ, Ka) dyyeros 33 narsiras xa) axbororo…
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SEOT, 1, 2.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 67 when he supposed none left in Israel that worshipped God aright but himself, 1 Kings xix. 14,18. It was, then, as we said, the word of prophecy that gave the writers of it the reputation and authority of prophets; and their being prophets gave not authority to the word they decl…
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This opinion, then, may be well rejected as a groundless guess, of an obscure, unknown original, and not tolerably confirmed either by 1 Eccles. Hist. lib. vi. cap. xxv. 2 Eccles. Hist. lib. vi. cap. xiii. 3 Grot. Pref. in Annot. ad Epist. ad Heb. * Hieron. Scrip. Eccles. in Paul. 5 Scrip. Eccles. in Clement. : SECT.…
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1 Baron. Ann. Eccles. an. 51, n. 55. ? Hieron. de Nomin. Heb. 3 Epiphan, Heer. lib. i. cap. x. ¢ Euseb. Eccles, Hist. lib. i. cap. xiii. SECT. 6, 7.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 71 of this Epistle, Barnabas was so far from that light into, and appre- hension of the nature, use, and expiration of Judaical rites herein exp…
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From the uncertainty of these conjectures, with the evidence of reason and circumstances whereby they are disproved, two things we seem to have obtained ;—first, That no objection on their ac- count can arise against our assertion; and, secondly, That if St Paul be not acknowledged to be the writer of this Epistle, the…
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* Theodor. Argu. in Epist.ad Heb. 2 Chrysost. Preef. in Epist. ad Heb. 5 Ca- thar. de Auth. Epist. ad Heb. Diss. 4 Bellar. de Verb. Dei. lib. i. cap. xvii. * Baron, Ann. Kccles. an, 61, n. 55. 6 A Lapid. Preof. in Epist. 7 Can. loc, Com. lib. ii, cap. xi. 8 Galenus Preef. in Epist. ad Heb. 9 Ten. Preelud. iv. 0 Estiu…
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SECT. 13.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. rig any of his writings, and that every thing (considering the matter and nature of it, the Person in whose name he spake, and those to whom he wrote) is expressed as it ought to be for the end proposed, and not otherwise. And hence it is that, because of the variety of the subject-m…
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15. Secondly, It is excepted that the Epistle is dveriypapos, the name of Paul being not prefixed unto it, as it is, say some, unto all the epistles written by him. And this, indeed, is the womb wherein all other objections have been conceived; for this being once taken notice of, and admitted as an objection, the rest…
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18. There is another answer to this objection, which seemeth to be solid and satisfactory, which most of the ancients rest in; and it is, that St Paul had weighty reasons not to declare his name at the entrance of this Epistle to the Hebrews, taken from the preju- dices that many of them had against him. This is insist…
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In his dealing with the Hebrews the case was far otherwise. They who believed, amongst them, never changed the old foundation, or church-state grounded on the Scriptures, though they had a new addition of privileges by their faith in Christ Jesus, as the Mes- siah now exhibited. And therefore he deals not with them as …
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sje-nsian, “The dispersion,” or “ scattering of Israel,’ when they were sifted amongst all nations, like the “ sifting of a sieve,” Amos ix. 9. Ps. cxlvii. 2, they are called awn N12; which the LXX., ac- cording to the phrase in their days, render T&s diaoropas rod “Iopana, “The dispersions,” or those scattered abroad …
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[2.] And thus was this particular “long-suffering of God” to- wards the Jews, whilst the gospel was preached unto them before their final desolation, “ salvation,” in that God “spared” them, and allowed them to abide for a while in the observation of their old worship and ceremonies, granting them in the meantime bless…
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~ SECT. 26, 27. | EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 89 required. He whose heart is cast into the mould of the doctrine by him delivered will receive quick impressions, from his spirit exert- ing itself, in any of his writings. He that is thus prepared will find that heavenliness and perspicuity in unfolding the deepest evangell…
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(3.) His way of argument in this and his other epistles is the same. Now this, as we shall see, is sublime and mystical, accommodated rather to the spiritual reason of believers than the artificial rules of philosophers. That he should more abound with testimonies and quotations out of the scriptures of the Old Testame…
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SUBSIDIARY NOTE ON EXERCITATION IL BY THD EDITOR, Tun progress of discussion on the interesting question in Biblical literature with which the preceding Exercitation is occupied, would form matter of a very long historical ex- cursion. It must suffice for our purpose to indicate its principal outlines; referring, for …
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94 SUBSIDIARY NOTE. of the Christian, chap. ix. 9-14, x. 1; Col. ii. 16,17; 1 Cor.x. 1-6, 11; Rom. v. 14; 1 Cor. xv, 45-47; 2 Cor? iii, 18-18 ; Gal. iv. 22-31 ;—while the Christian dispensation is to be perpetual, the Jewish institutes are abolished, chap. viii. 6-8, x. 1-14; 2 Cor. jii, 11, 18; Rom. iv. 14-16; Gal. i…
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2. Others regard Luxn as the assistant whose services were employed. ‘That the composition is not Paul’s Dr Davidson argues, because ‘the tone is elevated, rhetorical, calm, unlike the fiery force of Panl’s manner. ‘There is polish, care, elezance.—No trace of the apostle’s characteristic manner appears. Besides, would…
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2. Some general intimations we have, in the Epistle itself, leading us towards this discovery, and somewhat may be gathered from some other places of Scripture; for antiquity will afford us little or no help herein. After Paul’s being brought a prisoner to Rome, Acts xxviii., “two whole years” he continued in that cond…
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5. One Joséph, the son of Cezebias, was in the beginning of those days high priest; put into that office by Agrippa, who not long be- fore had put him out. On the death of Festus he thrust him out again, and placed Ananus, his son, in his stead. This man, a young rash fellow, by sect and opinion a Sadducee (who of all …
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10. Our blessed Saviour had long before warned his disciples of all these things, particularly of the desolation that was to come upon the whole people of the Jews, with the tumults, distresses, persecutions, and wars, which should precede; directing them to the exercise of patience in the discharge of their duty, unti…
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EXERCITATION IV. THE LANGUAGE WHEREIN THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN. 1. Of the language wherein this Epistle was originally written—Supposed to be the Hebrew. 2. Grounds of that supposition disproved. 3. Not translated by Clemens. 4. Written in Greek—Arguments for the proof thereof. 5. Of 3 citat…
991 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1850–1870); OCR text from Internet Archive. OCR may contain scanning/transcription errors. Verify quotations against page images when precision matters.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.