PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 1
John Owen · 319,122 words · 321 reading sections
Section 61
But, on the other hand, (according unto the fore-mentioned pre- diction,) as he hath been a sure foundation unto all that believe, so he hath in like manner been " a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence unto them that stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed." There is nothing in h…
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Chap. I. The foundation of the whole is laid in the vindication of those words of our blessed Saviour, wherein he declares himself to be the rock whereon the church is built: (Matt. xvi. 18:) "And I say also unto thee. That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not preva…
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It would be a tedious work, and, it may be, not of much profit unto them who are utterly unacquainted with things so long past and gone, wherein they seem to have no concernment, to give a specimen of the several heresies whereby attempts were made against this rock and foundation of the church. Unto those who have in-…
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THE PEEFACE. 11 words and terms, to express their minds with, which utterly rejected it. Hence were their o/Moiouawg, Inpougiog, sS, ouz ovrcfjv, and the hke names of blasphemy, about which the contests were fierce and end- less. And there were yet farther evils that ensued hereon. For the curious and serpentine wits …
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THE PREFACE. 13 although the oppositions unto this sacred truth, this fundamental article of the church and the Christian religion — concerning his divine person, its constitution, and use, as the human nature con- joined substantially unto it, and subsisting in it — are in this last age increased; although they are m…
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Leo well adds hereunto the consideration of his incarnation, in these excellent words: (Serm. ix., De Nativit. :) "Quia in Christo THE PREFACE. 15 Jesu Filio Dei, non solum ad divinam essentiam, sed etiam ad liuma- nam spectat naturam, quod dictum estperprophetam— 'generationem ejus quis enarrabit?' — (utramque enim …
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And the mystery is well expressed by Maxentius: (Biblioth. Patr. pars prima:) "Non confundimus naturarum div^rsitatem ; veruntamen Christum non ut tu asseris Deum factum, sed Deum factum Chris- tum confitemur. Quia non cum pauper esset, dives factus est, sed cum dives esset, pauper factus est, ut nos divites faceret ; …
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THE PREFACE. ] 9 So also Jerome expresseth his mind, herein: (Comment, in Psal. Ixvi. :) " Illuminet vultum suum super nos; Dei fades quae est? utique imago ejus. Dicit enim apostolus imaginem Patris esse filium ; ergo imagine sua nos illuminet; hoc est, imaginem suam filium illu- minet super nos; ut ipse nos illumine…
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Chap. IX. In the ninth chapter and those following, we treat of the divine honour that is due unto the person of Christ, expressed in adoration, invocation, and obedience, proceeding from faith and love. And the foundation of the Avhole is laid in the discovery of the true nature and causes of that honour ; and three t…
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But yet, although we may call on God in and by the name of any divine person, or enumerate at once each person, (w rpiag ayla api$,aou~ /I'svri, rptag iv hi ovo^Mart dpi6ficvfi£vr], Epiphan. Ancorat., viii. 22,) it doth not follow that we may make a request in our prayers unto one per- son, and then immediately repeat …
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It belongs unto this great mystery, and is a fruit of divine wisdom, that our deliverance should be wrought in and by the same nature wherein and whereby we were ruined. The reasons hereof, and the glory of God therein, are at large discoursed in the ensuing treatise. To the same purpose speaks the same holy writer: (l…
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And Clemens Alexandrinus to the same purpose: (Adhort. ad Gentes:) Nal iprj/Mi 6 Xlyog 6 ro\j &io\j dv&pMTrog yivojLLEVog, hoc 8s zai ffi) Tapa dvdpui'xou /jAdrig, "B-jJ tot-j cipa avt^pctiirog y'svyirai Qsog. — " The Word of God was made man, that thou mightest learn of a man how man may become " (as) " God." And Ambr…
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* [Faith 0 30 THE PERSON OF CHRIST. things as these will prejudice, carnal interest, and the prepossession of the minds of men with corrupt imaginations, cause them to ad- venture on, to the scandal, yea, n^in of religion ! This short but illustrious confession of Peter, compriseth emi- nently the whole truth concer…
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From the speaking of these words unto Peter, there is a contro- versy raised in the world, whether the Lord Christ himself, or the pope of Rome, be the rock whereon the church is built. And unto that state are thinsrs come in relioion, amonsr them that are called Christians, that the greatest number are for the pope an…
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3. There is but one rock, but one foundation. There is no men- tion in the Scripture of two rocks of the church. In what others invent to this purpose we are not concerned. And the rock and the foundation are the same ; for the rock is that whereon the church is built, that is the foundation. But that the Lord Christ i…
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CHAPTER IL Opposition made unto the Church as Built upon the Person of Christ. There are in the words of our Saviour unto Peter concerning the foundation of the church, a promise of its preservation, and a predic- tion of the opposition that should be made thereunto. And, accord- ingly, all things ai'e come to pass, …
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The second way whereby Satan attempted the same end, and yet continueth so to do, was by pernicious errors and heresies. For all the heresies wherewith the church was assaulted and pestered for some centuries of years, were oppositions unto their faith in the per- son of Christ. I shall briefly reflect on the heads of …
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(3.) By some his human nature was opposed — for no stone did Satan leave unturned in the pursuit of his gi'eat design. And that which in all these things he aimed at, was the substitution of a false Christ in the room of Him who, in one person, was both the Son of man and the Son of the livino' God. And herein he infec…
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2. Many, vfho expressly deny not his divine person, yet seem to grow weary of any concernment therein. A natural religion, or none at all, pleaseth them better than faith in God by Jesus Christ. That any thing more is necessaiy in religion, but what natural light Avill discover and conduct us in, with the moral duties …
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7. That which all these things tend unto and centre in, is that horrible jjrofaneness of life — that neglect of all Gospel duties — that contempt of all spiritual graces and their effects, which the generality of them that are called Christians, in many places, are given up unto. I know not whether it were not more for…
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The way alone whereby this manifestation may be made, is by outward acts and effects. For, in itself, the divine nature is hid from all living, and dwelleth in that light whereunto no creature can approach. This, therefore, God first made, by the creation of all things out of nothing. The creation of man himself — with…
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Some amongst us say, that if there were no other way for the i-edemption and salvation of the church, but this only of the incarna- tion and mediation of the Son of God, there was no wisdom in the contrivance of it. Vain man indeed would be wise, but is like the wild ass's colt. Was there no wisdom in the contrivance o…
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All false religion pretended always unto things that were myste- rious. And the more men could invent, or the devil suggest, that had an appearance of that nature, as sundry things were so intro- duced honid and dreadful, the more reverence and esteem were reconciled unto it. But the whole compass of the craft of Satan…
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That which shall, at last, perfectly effect our utmost conformity to God, and, therein, our eternal blessedness — is vision, or sight. " We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is : " 1 John iii. 2. Here faith begins what sight shall perfect hereafter. But yet " we walk by faith, and not by sight : " 2 Cor. v.…
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1. We suppose, in this case, conscience to be awakened unto a sense of sin, and of apostasy from God thereby. These things are now generally looked on as of no great concernment unto us — by some made a mock of — and, by the most, thought easy to be dealt withal — at time convenient. But when God fixeth an apprehension…
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1. That the person of the Son " was set up," or exalted herein. " I was set up," saith he, " from everlasting." This cannot be spoken absolutely of the person of the Son himself — the divine nature being not capable of being so set up. But there was a peculiar glory and honour belonging unto the person of the Son, as d…
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CHRIST S PEESON THE BASIS OF THE DIVINE COUNSELS. 57 said to be " given us in Christ Jesus before tlie world began : " 2 Tim. i. 9. In tliese counsels did God delight — or in the person of Christ, as his eternal wisdom in their contrivance, and as the means of their accomplishment in his future incarnation. Hence he …
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INFINITE GOODNESS OF DIVINE COUNSELS. 59 2, They are acts of infinite goodness, wliereon tlie divine nature cannot but be infinitely delighted in them. As wisdom is the directive principle of all divine operations, so goodness is the communicative principle that is effectual in them. He is good, and he doth good — yea…
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But we must return to manifest in particular hoAV all these counsels of God were laid in the person of Christ — to which end the things ensuing may be distinctly considered. DIVINE COUNSELS LAID IN CHRIST's PERSON. 61 1. God made all things, in the beginning, good, exceeding good. The whole of his work was disposed i…
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DIVINE COUNSELS IN CHRIST AS THE IMAGE OF GOD. 63 and salvation of the cliurch lies in election, tlie decree whereof com- priseth the counsels of God concerning them. Herein, God from the beg-innincf "chooseth us unto salvation through sanctification of the Spirit \" (2 Thess. ii. 13 ;) the one being the end he design…
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His person, therefore, is the foundation of the church — the great mystery of godhness, or the religion we profess — the entire life and soul of all spiritual truth — in that all the counsels of the wisdom, grace, and goodness of God, for the redemption, vocation, sanctifica- tion, and salvation of the church, were all…
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h SOURCES OF OUR KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. 67 my glory pass before thee, and thou shalt see my back parts:" Exod. xxxiii. 18-23, &c. This is all that God would graut, viz., such external representations of himself, in the proclamation of his name, and created appearances of his glory, as we have of a man whose back parts onl…
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(2.) Because nothing that can fall into the invention or imagina- tion of men could make any other but false representations of him, and so substitute an idol in his place. His own immediate works have great characters of his divine excellencies upon them, though unto us obscure and not clearly legible without the ligh…
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" He is the image of the invisible God:" Col, i. 15. This title or property of " invisible," the apostle here gives unto God, to show what need there was of an image or representation of him unto us, as well as of one in whom he would declare the counsels of his will. For he intends not only the absolute invisibility o…
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3. As he took our nature upon him, or in the assumption of our nature into personal union with himself, in order unto the work of his mediation. So is he the only representative image of God unto us — in whom alone we see, know, and learn all the divine excellen- cies— so as to live unto God, and be directed unto the e…
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is there a knowledge of it necessary unto us, that we may hve unto him, and come unto the enjoyment of him. This we obtain only in the face or person of Christ — h tpoaui'Kw rou xpisTou ; for in him that glory is represented unto us. This was the testimony which the apostles gave concerning him, when he dwelt among th…
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76 THE PERSON OF CHRIST. US — that is, in idolatry, the worst and vilest of evils: so Ps. cxv. 4-8; Isa. xliv. ; Kev. ix. 19, 20, &c. This pride and folly of men was that which lost all knowledge of God in the world, and all obedience unto him. The ten commandments are but a transcript of the light and law of nature. …
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3. It is the highest degeneracy from the mystery of the Christian religion, for men to satisfy themselves in natural discoveries of the Divine Being and excellencies, without an acquaintance with that perfect declaration and representation of them which is made in the person of Christ, as he is revealed and declared in…
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Secondly, The counsels of God are the next spring and cause — as also the subject-matter or substance — of all truth that is so declara- tively. Divine truth is " the declaration of the counsels of God : " Acts XX. 27. Of them all the person of Christ is the sacred reposi- tory and treasury — m him are they to be learn…
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(2.) Efficacy or power is the second property of divine truth. And the end of this efficacy is to make us like unto God: Eph. iv. 20-24. The mortification of sin, the renovation of our natures, the sanctifi- cation of our minds, hearts, and affections, the consolation of our souls, with their edification in all the par…
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84 THE PERSON OF CHRIST. tion be made of them unto the understandings of men. Dissolve the knot, centre, and harmony in the most beautiful composition or structure — and every part will contribute as much unto the deformity and ruin of the whole, as it did before unto its beauty and consistency. So is it with every do…
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God gave of old both kings, priests, and prophets, unto the church. He both anointed them unto their offices, directed them in their discharge, was present with them in their work, and accepted of their duties; yet by none of them, nor by all of them together, was 86 THE PERSON OF CHRIST, the clmrch snpematurally enl…
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II. There was yet more required thereunto, or to render his offices effectual unto their proper ends. Not one of them could have been so, had he been no more than a man — had he had no nature but ours. This I shall particularly demonstrate, considering them in their usual distribution — unto the glory of his divine per…
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{2dly,) By the ministry of angels. Upon his undertaking to be the mediator for the church -with God, the angels were in a peculiar manner put into dependence on him, even as he became a new and immediate head unto the whole creation. This belonged unto that especial glory which he had with the Father " before the world…
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To this purpose is that divine testimony, John i. 18, " No man hath seen God at any time ; the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." It is of all the prophets concerning whom it is affirmed, that no man hath seen God at any time. So is it evident in the antithesis between Moses th…
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[3.] The Spirit of God dwelling in him, in all the fulness of his graces and gifts, gave him an understanding peculiar unto himself ; as above that of all creatures, so beneath the essential omniscience of the divine nature. Hence some things, as he was a man, he knew not, (Mark xiii. 32,) but as they were given him by…
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Without a respect unto these things, we cannot really be made partakers of the saving benefits and fruits of the prophetical office of Christ. And this we can have only in the exercise of faith on his divine person, which is the eternal spring from whence this office derives all life and efficacy. The command of God, …
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If the Lord Christ, as king of the church, be only a mere man, and be as such only to be considered, however he may be exalted and glorified— however he may be endowed with honour, dignity, and authority — yet he cannot put forth or act any real physical power immediately and directly, but where he is present. But this…
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^dly, There is required hereunto an influence of power into all the actings of the souls of believers; — an intima,te, efficacious opera- tion with them in every duty, and under every temptation. These all of them do look for, expect, and receive from him, as the king and head of the church. This also is an effect of d…
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HOW REVEALED UNDER THE OLD TESTAMENT. 101 from the same almighty hand to believe tliat He should redeem and save his church by his death. And therefore he did refuse the external revelation and proposition of it, though made by Christ himself, until he received internal aid from above. And to suppose that we have fait…
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It is true that both these and other prophets had revelations con- cerning his sufferings also. For " the Spirit of Christ that was in them testified beforehand of his sufferings, and the glory that should follow," 1 Peter i. 11; — an illustrious testimony whereunto we have given us, Ps. xxii., and Isa. liii. Neverthel…
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DIVINE HONOUR DUE TO THE PERSON OF CHRIST. lOo But we now consider tlie Lord Christ in his whole entire person, the Son of God incarnate, " God manifest in the flesh." His infinite condescension, in the assumption of our nature, did no way divest him of his divine essential excellencies. For a time, they were shadowed…
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This distinct honour is to be given unto the person of the Son by virtue of this command of the Father, though originally on the account of his oneness in nature with the Father. And our duty herein is pressed with the highest enforcement ; he that honours not the Son, honours not the Father. He who denieth the Son (he…
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The especial object of divine adoration, the motives unto it, and the nature of it, or what it consisteth in, are here declared. The object of it is Christ, not separately, but distinctly from the Father, and jointly with him. And he is proposed, Is^, As having fulfilled the work of his mediation in his incarnation an…
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Hence the apostle describeth the church, or believers, and distin- guisheth it, or them, from all others, by the discharge of this duty, 1 Cor. i. 2, " With all that call on the name of our Lord Jesus DIVINE HONOUE EENDERED TO CHRIST BY INVOCATION. Ill Christ, both their Lord and ours." To call on the name of the Lor…
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SEASONS OF INVOKING CHRIST. 113 as saints and angels — rejecting also the aids of the Spirit to comply with imaginations of their own, whose assistance herein they more approve of But this is the nature and method of ordinary solemn evangeli- cal invocation. So it is declared, Eph. ii. 18, " Through him we have acces…
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(2dh/,) Times of gracious discoveries either of the glory of Christ in himself, or of his love unto us, are seasons that call for this duty. The glory of Christ in his person and offices is always the same, and the revelation that is made of it in the Scripture varieth not ; but — as unto our perception and apprehensio…
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(Sdly,) Times of persecution for his Name's sake, and for the profession of the gospel, are another season rendering this peculiar invocation of Christ both comely and necessary. Two things will befall the minds of believers in such a season; — [Is^,] that their thoughts will be greatly exercised about him, and convers…
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(othly,) The time of death, whether natural, or violent for his sake, is a season of the same nature. So Stephen recommended his departing soul into his hands with solemn prayer. " Lord Jesus," said he, "receive my spirit." To the same purpose have been the prayers of many of his faithful martyrs in the flames, and und…
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2. It was the person of Christ, his incarnation and mediation, that were promised under the name of the " seed of the woman," and the work he should do in breaking the head of the serpent, with the way whereby he should do it in suffering, by his j^ower. The accomplishment hereof was in God's sending his Son in the lik…
1,157 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.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.