PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 1
John Owen · 319,122 words · 321 reading sections
Section 241
This was the original glory of his obedience. This wisdom, the grace, the love, the condescension that was in this choice, animated every act, every duty of his obedience, — rendering it amiable in the sight of God, and useful unto us. So, when he went to John to be baptized, he, who knew he had no need of it on his ow…
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Lord, what is man, that thou art thus mindful of him ? and the son of man, that thou visitest him ? Who hath kno'wn thy mind, or who hath been thy counsellor ? 0 the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! how unsearchable are his judg- ments, and his ways past finding out ! What shall we say unto…
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These are the two springs of the salvation of the church, — the two anointed ones that stand before the Lord of the whole earth, from which all the golden oil, whereby the church is dedicated unto God and sanctified, doth flow. This glory of Christ in his exaltation, which followed on his sufferings, is that which we n…
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IN HIS EXALTATION. 345 that he hath the same rational soul and the same body, is a funda- mental article of the Christian faith, (2.) This nature of the man Christ Jesus is filled with all the di- vine graces and perfections whereof a hmited, created nature is capa- ble. It is not deified, it is not made a god ; — it…
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IN HIS EXALTATION. 84<7 sliall never behold him in glory hereafter unto their satisfaction ; nor do they desire so to do, only they suppose it a part of that relief which they would have when they are gone out of this world. For what should beget such a desire in them? Nothing can do it but some view of it here by fai…
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UNDER THE OLD TESTAMENT. 349 And that also was the substance of the ministry of the prophets, 1 Pet. i. 11, 12. The dark apprehensions of the glory of Christ, which by these means they obtained, were the Hfe of the church of old. 2. It was represented in the mystical account which is given us of his communion with hi…
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5. The doctrine of his incarnation, whereby he became the sub- ject of all that glory which we inquire after, was revealed, although not so clearly as by the Gospel, after the actual accomplishment of the thing itself In how many places this is done in the Old Testa- ment I have elsewhere declared; at least I have expl…
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And the first of these is, — That intimate conjunction that is be- tween Christ and the church; whence it is just and equal in the sight of God, according unto the rules of his eternal righteousness, that what he did and suffered in the discharge of his office, should be esteemed, reckoned, and imputed unto us, as unto…
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It is therefore evident that there is no inconsistency with the nature of divine justice, nor the rules of reason among men, that in sundry cases the sins of some may be punished on others. II. It is to be observed, that this administration of justice is not promiscuous, — that any whatever may be punished for the sin…
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It is a foolish thing to argue, that because a mere participation of the same nature among men is not sufficient to warrant the righteous- ness of punishing one for another, — therefore the conjunction in the same nature betwixt Christ and the church is not a sufficient and just foundation of his suffering for us, and …
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358 THE GLORY OF CHRIST of them for attaining the ends of the covenant. So did the Lord Christ undertake to be surety of the new covenant in behalf of the church, Heb. vii. 22, and thereon tendered himself unto God, to do and suffer for them, in their stead, and on their behalf, whatever was required, that they might …
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This is that glory of Christ whereof one view by faith will scatter all the fears, answer all the objections, and give relief against all the despondencies, of poor, tempted, doubting souls ; and an anchor it will be unto all believers, which they may cast within the veil, to hold them firm and steadfast in all trials,…
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By these divine communications, in the production and preservation of the creature, doth God manifest his glory, and by them alone in the way of nature he doth so ; and without them, although he would have been for ever essentially glorious, yet was it impossible that his glory should be known unto any but himself Wher…
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7. According unto this divine order, the elect in all ages are, by the Holy Spirit moving and acting on that mass of the new creation, formed and animated with spiritual life, light, grace, and power, unto the glory of God. They are not called accidentally, according unto the 364 THE GLORY OF CHRIST external occasion…
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S66 THE GLORY OF CHRIST 2. He thus comminiicates himself unto us, by the formation of a new nature, his own nature, in us; so as that the very same spiritual nature is in him and in the church. . Only, it is so with this differ- ence, that in him it is in the absolute perfection of all those glorious graces wherein it…
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CHAPTER XI. The Glory of Christ in the Recapitulation of all things in Him. In the last place, the Lord Christ is peculiarly and eminently glo- rious in the recapitulation of all things in him, after they had been scattered and disordered by sin. This the apostle proposeth as the most signal effect of divine wisdom, …
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5. Thus "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." He provided himself of two distinct, rational families, that should depend on him according to a law of moral obedience, and thereby give glory to him; with two distinct habitations for them, cognate unto their nature and use, — heaven above, and the eart…
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12. To answer all the ends of this oiew Head of God's re-collected family, all power in heaven and earth, all fulness of grace and glory, is committed unto him. There is no communication from God, no act of rule towards this family, no supply of virtue, power, grace, or goodness unto angels or men, but what is immediat…
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IN THE KECAPITULATION OF ALL THINGS. 373 And it will do so the more, in that it gives a glorious representa- tion of his divine nature also. For that any mere creature should thus be a head of life, motion, and power, as also of sovereign rule and disposal, of the whole new creation, with all things reduced into order…
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CHAPTER XII. Differences between our Beholding the Glory of Christ by Faitli in this World and by Sight in Heaven — The First of them Explained. " We walk" here " by faith, and not by sight," 2 Cor. v. 7; that is, in the life of God, in our walking before him, in the whole of our obedience therein, we are under the c…
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And he adds another intimation of this imperfection, in an allusion unto the way whereby things are proposed and conveyed unto the minds and apprehensions of men. Now this is by words. And these are either plain, proper, and direct, or dark, figurative, and paraboli- cal. And this latter way makes the conception of thi…
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Let us now, on the other hand, take a little consideration of that vision which we shall have of the same glory in heaven, that we may compare them together. Vision, or the sight which we shall have of the glory of Christ in heaven, is immediate, direct, intuitive; and therefore steady, even, and constant. And it is s…
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Should the Lord Jesus appear now to any of us in his majesty and glory, it would not be unto our edification nor consolation. For we are not meet nor able, by the power of any light or grace that we have received, or can receive, to bear the immediate appearance and representation of them. His beloved apostle John had …
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382 THE GLORY OF CHRIST. will brmof in more blessedness and satisfaction into our minds than in this world we are capable of. (2.) There is an incapacity in our minds, as unto their actings on things spiritual and eternal, that is merely natural, from the posture wherein they are, and the figure which they are to mak…
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It was a privilege (v/ho would not have longed to partake of it?) to have seen Him with our bodily eyes in. the days of his flesh, as did the apostles and other his disciples. Howbeit he was not then glorified himself in the manifestation of his glory ; nor they who saw him, m 384 THE GLORY OF CHRIST. the change or t…
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But now above, all things are clear and serene, — all plain and evi- dent in our beholding the glory of Christ; — we shall be ever with him, and see him as he is. This is heaven, this is blessedness, this is eternal rest. The person of Christ in all his glory shall be continually before us ; and the eyes of our unders…
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To sum up briefly what hath been spoken : There are three things to be considered concerning the glory of Christ, three degrees in its manifestation,— the shadoiu, the perfect image, and the substance it- self Those under the Law had only the shadow of it, and of the things that belong unto it; — they had not the perfe…
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CHAPTER XIII. The Second Difference between our Beholding the Glory of Christ by Faith in this World and by Sight in Heaven. Faith is the light wherein we behold the glory of Christ in this world. And this in its own nature, as unto this great end, is weak and imperfect, like weak eyes, that cannot behold the sun in …
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We are like him in the parable of the prophet that spake unto Ahab, who having one committed unto him to keep, affirms that whilst he was busy here and there, he was gone. Christ commits himself unto us, and we ought carefully to keep his presence. " I held him," saith the church, " and would not let him so," Cant. iii…
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But, as we have a sure word of prophecy to secure us from these abominations, by an express prohibition of such images unto all ends whatever ; so, unto our stability in the profession of the truth, an ex- perience of the efficacy of this spiritual view of Christ transforming our souls into his own likeness, is absolut…
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Do any of us find decays in grace prevailing in us; — deadness, coldness, lukewarmness, a kind of spiritual stupidity and senseless- ness coming upon us ? Do we find an unreadiness unto the exercise of grace in its proper season, and the vigorous acting of it in duties of communion with God ? and would we have our soul…
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Many love to walk in a very careless, unwise profession. So long as they can hold out in the performance of outward duties, they are very regardless of the greatest evangelical privileges, — of those things which are the marrow of divine promises, — ailreal endeavours of a vital communion with Christ. Such are spiritua…
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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FAITH AND SIGHT OF IT. 399 ness which compriseth all the things mentioned; — no such thing as rejoicing upon " believing, with joy unspeakable and full of glory;" — no such thing as Christ's showing and manifesting himself unto us, supping with us, and giving us of his loves ; — that the divine …
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That view of the glory of Christ whereof we treat consists in two things, — namely, its especial nature, and its necessary adjunct or effect. The first is, a spiritual perception or understanding of it as revealed in the Scriptures. For the revelation of the glory of his person, office, and grace, is the principal subj…
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Persons under the power of such distempers may have the same doctrinal knowledge of the person of Christ, his office, and his grace, with other men, and the same evidence of its truth fixed on their minds ; but when they endeavour a real intuition into the things them- selves, all things are dark and confused unto them…
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1. With some he employs all his engines, useth all his methods of serpentine subtlety, and casts in his fiery darts, so to disquiet, dis- compose, and deject them, as that they can retain no comfortable views of Christ or his glory. Hence arise fears, doubts, disputes, un- certainties, with various disconsolations. Her…
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But " as for me," saith David, " I will behold thy face in righteous- ness : I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness," Ps. xvii. 1 5. It is Christ alone who is the likeness and image of God. When we awake in the other world, with our minds purified and rectified, the beholding of him shall be always satis…
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408 THE GLORY OF CIIEIST. nally lead us unto the contemplation of the glory of Christ Avith de- light and complacency. Nor will there be any defect in the gi'acious jDowers of our souls, as unto a perpetual exercise of them ; and as to all other opposing enemies, we shall be in a perpetual triumph over them, 1 Cor. xv…
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Some suppose that by chopping, and painting, and gilding, they can make an image of Christ that shall perfectly represent him to 410 THE GLOEY OF CHRIST. their senses and carnal affections from head to foot. But they " feed on ashes," and have " a he in their right hand." Jesus Christ is evi- dently crucified before …
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With wicked men it is not so. Death unto them is a curse ; and the curse is the means of the conveyance of all evil, and not deliver- ance from any. Wherein they have been warmed and refreshed by the influences of the flesh, they shall be deprived of it. But their souls in their separate state, are pei'j)etually harass…
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(2.) As unto the event, it is but partial. It doth not bring this work unto perfection. The change wrought by it is indeed great and glorious ; or, as the apostle speaks, it is " from glory to glory," in a progress of glorious grace: but absolute perfection is reser\'ed for vision. As to divine worship, perfection was …
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(3.) It is sufl&cient to give us such a i^erception, such ix, foretaste of future blessedness in the enjoyment of Christ, as may continually stir us up to breathe and pant after it. But it is not beatifical. Other differences of an alike nature between our beholding of the glory of Christ in this life by faith, and th…
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2. Take heed of being deluded by common presumptions. Most men have some thoughts in general about what their state is, and what it will be in the issue ; but they make no diligent search into this matter, because a number of common presumptions do immedi- ately insinuate themselves into their minds for their relief; a…
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This is somewhat of the word which he now speaks unto you : Why will ye die? why will ye perish? why will you not have compassion on your own souls? Can your hearts endure, or can your hands be strong, in the day of wrath that is approaching? It is but a little while before all your hopes, your reliefs, and presumption…
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6. Consider that he is as able to save us as he is ready and willing to receive us. The testimonies which he hath given us unto his goodness and love are uncontrollable; and none dare directly to call in question or deny his power. Generally, this is taken for granted by all, that Christ is able to save us if he will; …
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Some, it may be, will say. What then shall we do? what shall we apply ourselves unto? what is it that is required of us? 1. Take the advice of the apostle, Heb. iii. 7, 8, 13, " To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in 426 EXHORTATION TO SUCH AS ARE the day of temptation i…
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2. The things mentioned, with all of the like nature, which may be multiplied, may be where there is no one spark of saving faith. Simon Magus heard the word, and beheved as well as he could; — Herod heard it, and did many things gladly ; — and all sorts of hypocrites do upon their convictions perform many duties, and …
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3. The rule in this case is, Hos. vi. 3, " Then shall we know, if we follow on to know." Ai'e you in the way of knowing Christ in the use of means, hearing the word, and sincere endeavours in holy duties ? Though you cannot yet attain unto any evidence that you have received him, have closed with him, nothing can ruin …
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STRANGERS TO CHRIST. 431 either to come or to cleave unto him with all your occasions. Let nothing put it utterly out of your minds ; make it familiar unto you, and you will beat Satan out of that stronghold, Pro v. vii. 4. How- ever, shake yourselves out of this dust, or destruction lies at the door. Fourthly, It is…
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CHAPTER II The Way and Means of the Recovery of Spiritual Decays, and of Obtaining Fresh Springs of Grace. The application of the same truth, in the second place, belongs unto believers, especially such^ as have made any long profession of walking in the ways of God and the gospel. And that which I de- sign herein, …
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This flourishing is compared to the palm-tree, and the growth of the cedar. The palm-tree is of the gi'eatest verdure, beauty, and fruit- fulness, and the cedai- of the greatest and longest gi-owth of any trees. So are the righteous compared to the palm-tree for the beauty of pro- fession and fruitfulness in obedience …
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Having laid the foundation of this illustrious testimony, I shall farther declare and confirm my intention, so to make way for the ap- plication of the truth under consideration unto this case,— manifesting that the way whereby we may be made partakers of this grace, is by a steady view of the glory of Christ, as propo…
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1. In that it is compared unto things of the most infallible increase and progress; for besides that its growth is frequently likened unto that of plants and trees well watered, and in a fruitful soil, which fail not to spring, unless it be from some external violence ; it is like- wise compared unto such things as who…
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440 HOW TO RECOVER FROM SPIRITUAL DECAY, spring that never fails, nor can do so, until it issue in eternal life. And sundry other ways there are whereby the same truth is asserted in the Scripture. 2. There are sundry divine promises given unto believers that so it shall be, or to secure them of such supplies of grac…
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8. God hath secured the growth of this spiritual life, by the pro- vision of food for it, whereby it may be strengthened and increased ; for life must be preserved by food. And this in our case is the Word of God, with all other ordinances of divine worship which depend 442 HOW TO RECOVER FROM SPIRITUAL DECAY, thereo…
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It is certain that here is a description of a very woful state and condition; and the Psalmist, knowing that he was called of God to be a teacher and instructor of the church in all ages, records his own experience unto that end. Hence the title of it is, " A Psalm to bring to remembrance." Some judge that David had re…
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1. Have you, in the way of your profession, had any experience of these spiritual decays ? I doubt not but that there are some who have been preserved green and flourishing from their first conversion unto God, who never fell under the power of sloth, neglect, or tempta- tion, at least not for any remarkable season ; b…
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So God testified concerning Ephraim, that "grey hairs were sprinkled on him, yet he knew it not," Hos. vii. 9. He was in a AND GROW IN GRACE. 447 declining, dying condition, but did not understand it. Hence it is added, " They do not return to the Lord their God, nor seek him for all this," verse 10, If men will not …
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(2.) This is not that which I do intend. Men may be weary of God, whilst they abide in the observance of a multitude of outward duties. [1.] They may be so, with respect unto that spirituality and in- tention of mind unto the exercise of all grace, which are required unto such duties. These are the life, the soul, the…
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This, therefore, we are to inquire into. Doth it abide in us as formerly ? We hear the Word preached as much as ever; but do we do it with the same desire and spiritual relish as before ? Some hear to satisfy their convictions, some to please their fancies, and some to judge of the ^sersons by whom it is dispensed. It …
910 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.