PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 4
John Owen · 278,582 words · 269 reading sections
Section 121
234 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II. learned disputes, I doubt not but they have more reverence of God and his word than to break in upon it with such a kind of violence, on any pretence whatsoever. As, therefore, the integrity and purity of the Scripture in the original languages may be proved and de…
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PREFACE TO THE READER. It is altogether needless to premise any thing in this place concerning the neces- sity, benefit, and use of prayer in general. All men will readily acknowledge that as without it there can be no religion at all, so the life and exercise of all religion doth principally consist therein. Wherefor…
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Wherefore, the foundation of the whole ensuing discourse is laid in the consi- deration and exposition of some of those texts of Scripture wherein these things are expressly revealed and proposed unto us, for to insist on them all were endless. This we principally labour in, as that whereby not only must the controvers…
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240 PREFACE TO THE READER. God. Neither the nature of God nor our own duty towards him will admit that we should expect any acceptance with him, unless our design be to serve him with the best that we have, both for matter and manner. So is the mind of God him- self declared in the prophet: "If ye offer the blind for …
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I do acknowledge, also, that the general prevalency of the use of set forms of prayer of human invention in Christian assemblies for many ages (more than any other argument that is urged for their necessity) requires a tenderness in judg- ment as unto the whole nature of them, and the acceptance of their persons in the…
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Besides, as was before intimated, the things themselves that were the ground- work of idolatry, — namely, transubstantiation and the sacrifice of the mass, — were so acted and represented in those forms of worship as to take great impression on the minds of carnal men, until they were mad on their idols; for when all r…
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244 PREFACE TO THE READER. I do not say that this fatal consequence of the introduction of humanly-devised set forms of prayer in the worship of the church, in the horrible abuse made of it, is sufficient to condemn them as absolutely unlawful; for where the opinions leading unto such idolatrous practices are openly r…
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This also produced all the pretended ornaments of their temples, chapels, and oratories, by crucifixes, images, a multiplication of altars, with relics, tapers, vest- ments, and other utensils. None of these things, whereby Christian religion is corrupted and debased, would ever have come into the minds of men, had no…
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But this was not the whole of the evil that attended this imposition, for by this means all spiritual, ministerial gifts were caused to cease in the church; for as they are talents given to trade withal, or manifestations of the Spirit given to profit or edify the church, they will not reside in any subject, they will …
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their church hath done, I shall acknowledge myself greatly mistaken. It is no- thing but ignorance of him and his whole work, with all the ends for which he is promised unto the church (that I say not a hatred and detestation of them) that causeth any to embrace their ways of devotion. But to return. The things pleade…
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But all flesh almost hath corrupted its way. The power of religion, and the experience of it in the souls of men, being generally lost, the profession of it is of no great use, nor will long abide; yea, multitudes, all the world over, seem to be weary of the religion which themselves profess, so far as it is pleaded to…
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And I wish I saw reason to acquiesce in that reply; for not only the practice of the most, but the declared opinions of many, do evi- dence that neither the excellency of this duty nor its necessity doth find such acceptance and esteem in the minds of men as is pretended. But this being not my present design, I shall n…
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CHAPTER II. Zech. xii. 10 opened and vindicated. The especial promise of the administration of the Spirit of God unto the* end under consideration is that which I shall lay as the CHAP. II.] ZECH. XII. 10 OPENED AND VINDICATED. 255 foundation of the ensuing discourse. Zech. xii. 10, "I will pour upon the house of D…
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Three things may be intended in this adjunct of grace. CHAP. II.] ZECH. XII. 10 OPENED AND VINDICATED. 257 [1.] A respect of the sovereign cause of his dispensation, which is no other but the mere grace of God. He may be called a " Spirit of grace," because his donation is an effect of grace, without the least respec…
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CHAP. II.] ZECH. XII. 10 OPENED AND VINDICATED. 259 but two ways conceivable whereby this may be affirmed of him : — [1.] By working gracious inclinations and dispositions in us unto this duty ; [2.] By giving a gracious ability for the discharge of it in a due manner. These, therefore, must belong unto and do compris…
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That this is the sense of the place, and the mind of the Holy Ghost in the words, needs no other demonstration but that it is expressive of their proper signification, neither can any other sense tolerably be affixed on them. To deny the Holy Spirit to be deno- minated a Spirit of supplication, because he inclineth, di…
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Ans. 1. I have elsewhere already, in general, obviated this ob- jection by showing the prodigious folly of that imagination, that the dispensation of the Spirit is confined unto the first times of the gospel; whereof this objection is a branch, as enmity unto the matter treated of is the occasion of the whole. 2. We no…
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If, therefore, it could be proved, which I know it cannot be, that the generality of the church under the Old Testament made use of any forms of prayers, as mere forms of prayer, without any other end, use, or mystical instruction (all which concurred in their pro- phetical composures), for the sole end of prayer, yet …
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266 WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PRAYER. [BOOK VII. according to it, he " received the promise of the Holy Ghost;" that is, power and authority to bestow him on whom he would, for all the ends of that mediation, Acts ii. 33, v. 32. (2.) Formally, in that all the graces of the Spirit are derived unto us from him, as the …
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Thirdly, An instance is given of his effectually working these things in the adopted sons of God, in the duty of prayer crying, " Abba, Father." The object of the especial duty intended is " God, even the Father," Eph. ii. 18. "Abba, 6 iLariip." Abba is the Syriac or Chaldee name for Father, then in common use among th…
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This twofold testimony, concerning the promise of the communica- tion of the Holy Spirit or a Spirit of supplication unto believers under the New Testament, and the accomplishment of it, doth suffi- ciently evince our general assertion, that there is a peculiar work or special gracious operation of the Holy Ghost in th…
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The first thing we ascribe unto the Spirit herein is, that he sup- plieth and furnisheth the mind with a due comprehension of the matter of prayer, or what ought, both in general and as unto all our particular occasions, to be prayed for. Without this I suppose it will be granted that no man can pray as he ought ; for …
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2. We have internal wants that are discerned in the light of a natu- ral conscience : such is the guilt of sin, whereof that accuseth, — sins against natural light and the plain outward letter of the law. These things we know somewhat of without any especial aid of the Holy Spirit, Bom. ii. 14, 15, and desires of deliv…
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But it may be it will be said, " There is more stir than needs made in this matter. God help poor sinners, if all this be required unto their prayers! Certainly men may, pray at a cheaper rate, and with . much less trouble, or very few will continue long in that duty." For ; some can see no necessity of thus unders…
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278 WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PRATER. [BOOK VII. of unbelief with respect unto Jesus Christ, nor instruct them in the nature of faith in him. No innate notions of our minds, no doctrines of the law, will reach hereunto. And to think to teach men to pray, or to help them out in praying, without a sense of unbelief, or…
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Hereunto I may add the irregularity and disorder of our affections. These, I confess, are discernible in the light of nature, and the recti- fying of them, or an attempt for it, was the principal end of the old philosophy; but the chief respect that on this principle it had unto them is as they disquiet the mind, or br…
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1 "Omnino opoi-tet nos orationis tempore curiam intrare ccelestem, illam. utique curiam, in qua rex regum stellato sedet solio, circumdante innumcrabili et ineffabili beatorum spirituum exercitu Quanta ergo cum rcverentia, quanto timore, quanta illuc humilitate acccdere debet, a palude sua procedens et repens ranuncu…
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But it may be said, "That where there is any defect herein, it may be easily supplied ; for if men are not acquainted with the promises of God themselves in the manner before described, and so know not what they ought to pray for, others, who have the understanding of them, may compose prayers for their use, according …
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Thirdly, He alone guides and directs believers to pray or ask for any thing in order unto right and proper ends : for there is nothing so excellent in itself, so useful unto us, so acceptable unto God, as the matter of prayer; but it may be vitiated, corrupted, and prayer itself be rendered vain, by an application of i…
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Wherefore, first, where the Holy Spirit completes his work in us as a Spirit of grace and supplication, he worketh on the will and affec- tions to act obedientially towards God in and about the matter of our prayers. Thus when he is poured out as a Spirit of supplication, he fills them unto whom he is communicated with…
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290 WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PRAYER. [BOOK VII. of <svvavTi\ai^dvira.i ralg aehvsiaig ^(iZiv, which yet in the text doth plainly denote a help and assistance given unto our weaknesses, that is, unto us who are weak, in the discharge of the duty of prayer, as both the words themselves and the ensuing reasons of them …
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God, therefore, on a throne of grace is God as in a readiness through Jesus Christ to dispense grace and mercy to suppliant sinners. When God comes to execute judgment, his throne is other- wise represented. See Dan. vii. 9, 10. And when sinners take a view in their minds of God as he is in himself, and as he will be u…
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Some may apprehend that these things belong but little, and that very remotely, unto the duty of prayer, and the assistance we re- ceive by the Spirit therein ; but the truth is, those who are so minded, on consideration, know neither what it is to pray nor what doth belong thereunto. There is nothing more essential un…
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CHAP. VI.] THE DUE MANNER OF PRAYER. 295 Now, this confidence or boldness, which is given unto believers in their prayers by the Holy Ghost, respects not the answer of every particular request, especially in their own understanding of it, but it consists in a holy persuasion that God is well pleased with their duties,…
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Yet something may be here added to free our passage from any just exceptions; for, it may be, some will think that these things are not pertinent unto our present purpose, which is to discover the nature of the duty of prayer, and the assistance which we receive by the Spirit of God therein. " Now, this is only in the …
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But yet neither do I conclude from hence that all such forms are unlawful; only, that another way of praying is here enjoined us is, I suppose, unquestionable unto all impartial searchers after truth ; and, doubtless, they are not to be blamed who endeavour a compli- ance therewith. And if persons are able, in the dail…
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Of what use forms of prayer may be unto those that are not re- generate, and have not, therefore, received the Spirit of adoption, belongs not directly unto our disquisition ; yet I must say that I understand not clearly the advantage of them unto them, unless a contrivance to relieve them in that condition, without a …
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But, moreover, prayer falleth under another consideration, namely, as to its external performance, and as the duty is discharged by any S02 "WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PRAYER. [BOOK VII. one in lesser or greater societies, wherein upon his words and ex- pressions do depend their conjunction with him, their communion …
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Persons tied up unto such rules and forms never pray in their lives, but in their occasional ejaculations, which break from them al- most by surprisal. And there hath not been any one more effectual means of bringing unholiness, with an ungodly course of conversa- tion, into the Christian world, than this one of teachi…
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VOL. iv. 20 306 WORK OF THE HOLY SPIEIT IN PRAYER. [BOOK VII. (2.) Constant, diligent reading of the Scriptures is another duty that this ability greatly depends upon. From the precepts of God therein may we learn our own wants, and from his promises the relief which he hath provided for them; and these things, as ha…
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SOS WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PRAYER. [BOOK VII. fore, to pray falls under the command and promise, and is a gift of the Holy Spirit. And the nature of the thing itself, — that is, the duty of prayer, — doth manifest it; for all that the Spirit of God works in our hearts with respect unto this duty is in order unto …
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310 WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PRAYER. [BOOK VII. and is able to exercise, grace in prayer, any saving grace, without which prayer itself is an abomination, if he neglect not the improve- ment of the spiritual aids communicated unto him, doth so far par- take of this gift of the Holy Spirit as to enable him to pray ac…
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(2.) Utterance is a peculiar gift of the Holy Ghost: so it is mentioned, 1 Cor. i. 5; 2 Cor. viii. 7; Eph. vi. 19; Col. iv. 3. And hereof there are two parts, or there are two duties to be discharged by virtue of it: — [1.] An ability to speak unto men in the name of God in the preaching of the word ; [2.] An ability t…
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Let men pretend what they please, if a spiritual ability in praying and preaching belong not necessarily unto the office of the ministry, no man can tell what doth so, or what the office signifies in the church; for no other ordinance can be administered without the word and prayer, nor any part of rule itself in a due…
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CHAPTER IX. Duties inferred from the preceding discourse. The issue of all our inquiries is, how we may improve them unto obedience in the life of God; for "if we know them, happy are we if we do them," and not otherwise. And our practice herein may be reduced unto these two heads: — 1. A due and constant returning o…
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CHAR IX.] DUTIES INFERRED FROM PRECEDING DISCOURSE. SI 7 vation of carnal ordinances, did in this particular stand in need of forms of prayer, — which indeed they did not, of those which were merely so and only so, nor had, that we know of, any use of them, ■ — doth it follow that therefore believers under the New Tes…
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1 "fl/Ttftp T« ffdi/jtwri <pu; '/jXio;, ovtoo ■^vyyn <?rpofftv%-/i- u cvv tvQXw fyftia to fth opav rov HXisv, Toia Z,nf&ia Xpi?Tiavii to fjiri <xpoaivxlitr6u.i trv\>i%co; not.) oia rrj; •prpocrivp^tii to tov Xpitrrov $us us tyiv ^w^v utrayuv ;— Okrys. Horn, Ixvii. de Prec. 1. CHAP. IX.] DUTIES INFERRED FROM PRECEDING …
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To assist us in this search and examination of ourselves, to give light into our state and wants, to make us sensible thereof, is part of the work of the Spirit as a Spirit of grace and supplication ; and if we neglect our duty towards him herein how can we expect that he should continue his aid unto us, as to the outw…
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[4.] Meditation on the mediation and intercession of Christ, for our encouragement, is of the same importance and tendency. To this end spiritually is he proposed unto us as abiding in the discharge of his priestly office, Heb. iv. 15, 16, x. 19-22. And this is not only an encouragement unto and in our supplications, b…
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[6.] Constant fervency and intension of mind and spirit in this duty works directly towards the same end. Men may multiply prayers as to the outward work in them, and yet not have the least spiri- tual advantage by them. If they are dull, dead, and slothful in them, if under the power of customariness and formality, wh…
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Idly. Unto Scripture light. This is that which lively expresseth the spiritual state and condition of all sorts of persons, — namely, both of those that are unregenerate, and of those which are converted unto God. Whatever that expresseth concerning either sort may safely be pleaded with God in their behalf; and hence …
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1. The truth is, I am so fixed in a dislike of that mere outside, formal course of reading or singing prayers which is in use in the Roman church (which though, in Mr Cressy's esteem, it have a show of a very civil conversation with God, yet is it indeed accompanied with the highest contempt of his infinite purity and …
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CHAP. X.] OF MENTAL PRAYER. 331 The use of such words, being first led unto by the desires of the mind, may and doth lead the mind on to express its farther desires also, and increaseth those which are so expressed. It is from God's insti- tution and blessing that the mind and will of praying do lead unto the words of…
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Again; as the whole of this kind of prayer is useless as to the benefit and edification of the church or any member of it, so it is impossible there should ever be any certainty about the raptures wherein it is j)retended to consist, but they must everlastingly be the subject of contention and dispute; for who shall as…
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CHAP. X.] OF MENTAL PRAYER. 335 prayer/' as it is called, it neither is prayer nor can on any account be so esteemed. That we allow of mental prayer, and all actings of the mind in holy meditations, was before declared. Nor do we deny the usefulness or necessity of those other things, of mortifying the affec- tions an…
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CHAP. X.] OF MENTAL PRAYER. S3 7 And as unto the internal form of it, in that description which is given us of its nature in the Scripture, it consists in the especial exercise of faith, love, delight, fear, all the graces of the Spirit, as occasion doth require. And in that exercise of these graces, wherein the life …
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CHAP. XI.] PRESCRIBED FORMS OF PRAYER EXAMINED. 339 we have described, that I shall any way consider these forms of ■prayer, and their use: for I know well enough that I have nothing to do to judge or condemn the persons or duties of men in such acts of religious worship as they choose for their best, and hope for ac-…
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CHAP. XI.] PRESCRIBED FORMS OF PRAYER EXAMINED. 341 than others can who are not so clearly enlightened as they are, nor have had the experience which they have had. For those prayers, as they are called, which men without such light and experience com- pose of phrases and expressions gathered up from others, taken out…
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CHAP. XI.] PRESCRIBED FORMS OF PRAYER EXAMINED. 343 of another consideration, but only of the duty of believers as such in their respective stations and conditions. (2.) It is generally supposed that the use of such forms is of singular advantage unto them that are low and mean in their ability to pray of themselves.…
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CHAP. XI.] PRESCRIBED FORMS OF PRAYER EXAMINED. 345 surely they ought not to he countenanced or encouraged in. Nor is the perpetual rotation of the same words and expressions suited to instruct or carry on men in the knowledge of any thing, but rather to divert the mind from the due consideration of the things intende…
965 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.