PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 4
John Owen · 278,582 words · 269 reading sections
Section 61
II. As to the means for the understanding of Scripture, two kinds are specified. — 1. Such as are general and necessary, as the reading of Scripture ; and, 2. Such as are ex- pedient and conducive to the improvement of it. And the latter are threefold : — (1.) Spi- ritual means, such as prayer, susceptibility of gracio…
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and comprehension would be inconsistent with that state and condition wherein we are to walk with God, according to the tenor of the covenant of grace, and during the con- tinuance thereof. But the substance of what we plead for is, that such is the wisdom, goodness, and love of God towards mankind, in the grant that h…
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Our belief of the Scriptures to be the word of God, or a divine re- velation, and our understanding of the mind and will of God as revealed in them, are the two springs of all our interest in Christian religion. From them are all those streams of light and truth de- rived whereby our souls are watered, refreshed, and m…
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And there is not any truth of greater importance for men to be established in; for unless they have a, full assurance of understand- ing in themselves, unless they hold their persuasion of the sense of Scripture revelations from God alone, if their spiritual judgment of truth and falsehood depend on the authority of me…
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It is the fondest thing in the world to imagine that the Holy Ghost doth any way teach us but in and by our own reasons and under- standings. We renounce all enthusiasms in this matter, and plead not for any immediate prophetical inspirations. Those who would prohibit us the use of our reason in the things of religion …
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CHAP. II.] SPIRITUAL ILLUMINATION PROVED FROM SCRIPTURE. 127 And there are two ends designed in this undertaking: — First, That which the evangelist Luke proposed in his writing the Gospel unto Theophilus, — namely, " That he might know the cer- tainty of the things wherein he had been instructed/' Luke i. 4. When we…
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2. In this law there are Ai&yQJ } " wonderful things." N?3 signi- fies to be " wonderful," to be " hidden," to be " great" and " high;" that which men by the use of reason cannot attain unto or under- stand (hence ni^PSJ are things that have such an impression of divine wisdom and power upon them as that they are justl…
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There is but one thing which I can foresee that may with any pretence of reason be objected unto this testimony of the psalmist in particular; and this is, that he speaks of the times and writings of the Old Testament. " Now, it is confessed that there was in them a darkness and obscurity, and such as needed new revela…
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But the meaning of the psalmist will the better appear if we con- sider the communication of the grace which he prayed for unto others. This is expressed, Luke xxiv. 45, " Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures;" — a needless work if some men maybe believed; but our Lord Jesus Chr…
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But there is an internal subjective revelation, whereby no new things are revealed unto our minds, or are not outwardly revealed anew, but our minds are enabled to discern the things that are re- vealed already. All the things here mentioned by the apostle, which he desires they might understand, were already revealed …
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Because it is thus with men by nature, therefore doth the apostle so earnestly pray that these Ephesians might be enabled to under- stand and know these things: and he doth it with an unusual solem- nity, invocating the " God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory;" which argues both a great intension…
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138 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. the gospel without especial spiritual illumination; for the original light and abilities of our minds were not suited or prepared for the receiving and understanding of them, for neither their being nor reve- lation was consistent with the state of integrity. Where…
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140 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. mysteries of the gospel, lie hath it by free gift or donation from God. He hath received it, and may not boast as if it were from himself, and that he had not received it, as the apostle speaks, 1 Cor. iv. 7. Again, the properties ascribed unto him, as thus commun…
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I have insisted the longer upon this testimony, because the whole of what we assert in general, in the nature, causes, and effects of it, 142 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VL, PART II. is fully declared therein. And this was the way whereby they of old came to understand divine revelations, or the mind of God a…
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(2.) It is granted that sundry things in the promises of the Holy Ghost were peculiar unto the apostles, and had their accomplishment on the day of Pentecost, when he descended on them in that glori- ous, visible manner, Acts ii. 1-4; for as they were commanded by our Saviour to wait for this his coming before they eng…
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VOL. IV. 10 146 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI, PART II. unto God." It is, therefore, the work of the Holy Spirit that is here described. He alone, and his gifts, graces, and privileges that ensue thereon, are so expressed, here or anywhere else in the whole Scrip- ture. 2. Two things are to be observed in w…
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Idly. It is spoken of the things themselves absolutely, and not with respect unto the degrees of the knowledge of them. They did so know them as that there was no need that any man should teach them unto them, as unto their initial knowledge and substance of the things themselves; and so it may be said of all believers…
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Wherefore, whereas the assurance of mind in other teachings de- pends much on the authority of them by whom they are taught, on a supposition that believers are taught the mind of God in the Scrip- ture by the Holy Spirit, or are by him enabled to discern and know it, the inquiry is, how or by what means they have an a…
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Others will resolve all into their own rational conceptions of things, without any respect unto a superior infallible teacher; and the minds of many, influenced by this notion, that they have them- selves alone to trust unto, are come unto the utmost uncertainty and instability in all things of religion. Nor can it oth…
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154 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. herself. And can it stand in competition with him ? He is infallible ; the unction "is truth, and is no lie;" the Spirit is truth. This also, indeed, that church pretends unto, but with such an open affront unto all evidence of truth as the world never underwent fr…
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I answer briefly in this place, It is true there are, and ever were, some, yea many, who " profess that they know God, but in works deny him, being abominable and disobedient." The knowledge which such men may attain, and which they make profession of, belongs not unto our inquiry ; and we may easily discern both what …
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"good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God," as the apostle speaks, Kom. xii. 2, is alone valuable and desirable, as unto all spiritual and eternal ends. 4. It doth not give rtdvra xXovrov rSj; wXrjpcxpopiixs rtjg ewztsmg sig zviymoiv rou /xvffryiplov rod Qsov, — " all riches of the full assurance of un- derstandi…
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1 60 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. the ^ock of Christ in the profession of the " faith once delivered unto the saints/' to commit the difference between the word and Spirit on the one hand, and the light within on the other, imto the deci- sion of Jesus Christ at the last day. 2. It is from no oth…
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But thus it hath fallen out in other things. Those who have de- clared any thing either of the doctrine or of the power of the grace VOL. IV. 11 162 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. of the gospel have been traduced, as opposing the principles of mo- rality and reason ; whereas on their grounds alone…
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[2.] It is expressed as a translation out of darkness into light: "He hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light," 1 Pet. ii. 9 ; " delivered us from the power of darkness," Col. i. 13 ; whereby we who were " darkness become light in the Lord," Eph. v. 8. That in these and the like testimonies, the remova…
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166 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. teachings can give us an understanding as well as the Son of God ; for they may teach men the knowledge of the gospel if they are will- ing to learn, and have no darling lusts or vicious habits of mind to hinder them from learning. [2dly,] Seeing he hath taken this…
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168 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. God is not distinguished from the proposition of the word in the outward dispensation of it, as hath been proved. Besides, every one that enjoys this teaching, that is, who is taught of God, doth really believe and come to Christ thereby: John vi. 45, " It is writt…
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170 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. 2dly. That there must, moreover, be a divine light shining into our hearts, to enable us hereunto; — at least, he doth so that this was granted unto them who then did believe; and if we have it not as well as they, I fear we do not believe in the same manner as the…
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172 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. of this darkness, because of the insuperable prejudices and corrupt affections that it fills the mind withal), yet the introduction of this light is an act of Him who openeth the eyes of our understandings and shines into our hearts. Without this light no man can u…
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1 74 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VL, PART II. CHAPTER V. Causes of the ignorance of the mind of God revealed in the Scripture, and of errors about it — What they are, and how they are removed. The supposition we proceed upon in this discourse is, that God hath revealed his mind and will unto us, as unto all …
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We must, therefore, inquire after the causes and reasons of these things among ourselves; for there only they will be found. And these causes are of two sorts: 1. That which is general, and 1 Horat. Od. lib. i. 3, 25. 176 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. the spring of all others; 2. Those which are …
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178 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. minds' acting towards them is here presented unto us ; compassion of their present state, and fear of their future ruin, we ought to be possessed with and acted by. But how few are they who are so framed and minded towards them, especially to such as by their enor-…
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180 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. proud man is the throne of Satan in his mind. To suppose that per- sons under the predominancy of pride, self-conceit, and self-confidence, can understand the mind of God as revealed in a due manner, is to renounce the Scriptures, or innumerable positive testimonie…
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(4.) Sjnritual sloth is of the same nature, and produceth the same effect. The Scripture frequently giveth us in charge to use the utmost of our diligence in the search of and for the finding out of spiritual truth, proposing unto us the example of those that have done so before, Josh. i. 8; Ps. i. 2; Prov. ii. 2-6; Jo…
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Lastly, Satan by his temptations and suggestions doth variously affect the minds of men, hindering them from discerning the mind of God as revealed in the Scripture: " The god of this world blindeth the eyes of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine…
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3. He implants in our minds spiritual habits and principles, con- trary and opposite unto those corrupt affections, whereby they are subdued and expelled. By him are our minds made humble, meek, and teachable, through a submission unto the authority of the word, and a conscientious endeavour to conform ourselves thereu…
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CHAPTER VI. The work of the Holy Spirit in the composing and disposal of the Scripture as a means of sacred illumination — The perspicuity of the Scripture unto the un- derstanding of the mind of God declared and vindicated. There is yet another part of the work of the Holy Spirit with respect unto the illumination o…
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2. In the writing and composing of the holy Scripture, the Spirit of God had respect unto the various states and conditions of the church. It was not given for the use of one age or season only, but for all generations, — for a guide in faith and obedience from the be- ginning of the world to the end of it. And the sta…
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But it may be said, " Why did not the Holy Ghost dispose of all things so plainly in the Scripture that every individual person might have attained the knowledge of them without the use of this minis- try?" I answer, — It is a proud and foolish thing to inquire for any reasons of the ways and works of God antecedent un…
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1. That we look on the Scripture and receive it not as the word of men, but as it is indeed, the ivord of the living God. If we look for thai perspicuity and clearness in the expression of divine revela- tion which men endeavour to give unto the declaration of their minds in things natural, by artificial methods and or…
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CHAP. VI.] THE SPIRIT'S WORK IN THE COMPOSING OF SCRIPTURE. 195 depths of the mystery of the incarnation, and the like, — men do but " darken counsel by words without knowledge/' and talk of what they neither do nor can understand. But yet the wisdom of the Holy Spirit hath in these two ways provided that we shall not…
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[1.] Whatever is so delivered in any place, if it be of importance for us to know and believe, as unto the ends of divine revelation, it is in some other place or places unveiled and plainly declared ; so that we may say of it as the disciples said unto our Saviour, " Lo, now he speaketh plainly, and not in parables." …
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1 There seems a general agreement among modern critics that this expression of the apostle is not susceptible of the meaning which is here attached to it. It does not refer to any rule according to which we are to try a doctrine by its harmony with the system of divine truth as a whole (although the rule itself is soun…
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4. Their minds are insensibly furnished with due conceptions about God, spiritual things, themselves, and their conditions; and their memories with expressions proper and meet to be used about them in prayer or otherwise. 5. God oftentimes takes occasion herein to influence their soids with the efficacy of divine trut…
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CHAP. VII.] MEANS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE MIND OF GOD. 203 principle of Christianity, namely, that constant and fervent prayer for the divine assistance of the Holy Spirit is such an indispensable means for the attaining the knowledge of the mind of God in the Scripture as that without it all others will not be availabl…
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CHAP. VII.] MEANS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE MIND OF GOD. 205 nor shall I expect the discovery of truth from any one who so proudly and ignorantly engageth in a work so much above his ability to manage. I speak this of solemn and stated interpreta- tions ; for otherwise a " scribe ready furnished for the kingdom of God" ma…
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4. A constant design for growth and a progress in knowledge, out of love to the truth and experience of its excellency, is useful, yea, needful, unto the right understanding of the mind of God in the Scriptures. Some are quickly apt to think that they know enough, as much as is needful for them; some, that they know al…
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And this first sort of means which we have hitherto insisted on are duties in themselves, as well as means unto farther ends ; and all duties under the gospel are the ways and means wherein and whereby the graces of God are exercised : for as no grace can be exerted or exercised but in a way of duty, so no duty is evan…
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In process of time that people were earned into captivity out of their own land, and were thereby forced to learn and use a language somewhat different from their own; another absolutely it was not, yet so far did it differ from it that those who knew and spoke the one commonly could not understand the other, 2 Kings x…
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In this language, therefore, as the most common, diffusive, and generally-understood in the world, did God order that the books of the New Testament should be written. From thence, by transla- tions and expositions, was it to be derived into other tongues and languages ; for the design of God was still the same, — that…
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(4.) The whole course of speech, especially in the New Testament, is accommodated unto the nature, use, and propriety of that lan- guage, as expressed in other authors who wrote therein, and had a perfect understanding of it. From them, therefore, is the proper use and sense of the words, phrases, and expressions in th…
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This skill and knowledge, therefore, is of great use unto them who are called unto the interpretation of the Scripture ; and the church of God hath had no small advantage by the endeavours of men learned herein, who have exercised it in the exposition of the words and phraseology of the Scriptures, as compared with the…
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But it is men of another sort, and in truth of another manner of learning, than the present corrupters of the doctrines of the gospel (who, so far as I can perceive, trouble not themselves about the Scripture much one way or another), that we treat about. They are such as, in the exercise of the skill and ability under…
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220 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. livered unto us such a tract and series of the ages of the world from its beginning as atheism hath no tolerable pretence, from tradition, testimony, or the evidence of things themselves, to break in upon. Whatever is objected against the beginning of all things, a…
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222 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PxlKT II. a 'prodigy of industry and learning, although they have made some useful discoveries, yet have never been able to give such evidence unto their computations as that others would acquiesce in them, but by all their endeavours have administered occasion of new strif…
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224 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. ordinarily who snail undertake the interpretation of any series of Scripture discourses without some ability in this science will find themselves oftentimes entangled and at a loss, when by virtue of it they might be at liberty and free. And many of the rules which…
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226 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. our own reasons and understandings. But the inquiry herein is, what supernatural aid and assistance our minds and natural reasons stand in need of to enable them to receive and understand aright things spiritual and supernatural. And if it be true that no more is r…
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228 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. 3. We say, therefore, that the sole use of ecclesiastical means in the interpretation of the Scripture is in the due consideration and im- provement of that light, knowledge, and understanding in, and those gifts for the declaration of, the mind of God in the Scrip…
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230 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. ment about spiritual things among those who are really sanctified and believers. A brief answer unto both these exceptions will lead this discourse unto its close. I say, therefore, to the first: — 1. That there are in the declaration of the mind of God in the Scr…
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232 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PAET II. There is yet another work of the Holy Ghost with respect unto the Scripture, which although it fall not directly under the present consideration of the ways and means of saving illumination, yet the whole of what we have discoursed is so resolved into it, in the or…
1,103 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.