PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 4
John Owen · 278,582 words · 269 reading sections
Section 181
(3.) That whilst these forms of prayer are clothed with the general notions of prayer, — that is, are esteemed as such in the minds of them that use them; are accompanied in their use with the motives and ends of prayer; express no matter unlawful to be insisted on in prayer; directing the souls of men to none but lawf…
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4. It is not inquired whether forms of prayer, especially as they may be designed unto and used for other ends, and not to be read instead of prayer, have in their composition any thing of intrinsical evil in them, for it is granted they have not; but the inquiry is, whether in their use as prayers they are not hindera…
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3. That which those who pretend unto moderation in this matter plead is, that "prayer itself is a commanded duty; but praying by or with a prescribed form is only an outward manner and circumstance of it, which is indifferent, and may or may not be used, as we see occasion ; " — and might a general rule to this purpose…
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THE PREFACE. That there are sundry great and eminent promises, referring to New Testament times, concerning the pouring out of the Spirit, none who is acquainted with the Scriptures and believes them can doubt. By the performance of them a church hath been begotten and maintained in the world through all ages since th…
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These two discourses, with those formerly published, make up all that Dr Owen perfected or designed on this subject of the Spirit, as the reader may per- ceive in the account which himself hath given in his prefaces to some of the for- mer pieces, published by himself in his lifetime. Not but that there are some other …
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1. Three things with respect unto himself made the exaltation of his human nature in heaven to be necessary; for, — (1.) It was to be a pledge and token of God's acceptation of him, and approbation of what he had done in the world, John xvi. 7, 8 ; for what could more declare or evidence the consent and delight of God…
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2. The Lord Christ doth not hereby cease to be the comforter of his church ; for what he doth by his Spirit, he doth by himself. He is with us unto the end of the world by his Spirit being with us; and he dwelleth in us by the Spirit dwelling in us ; and whatever else is done by the Spirit is done by him. And it is so …
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SCO THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A COMFORTER. [BOOK VIII. in the holy Trinity, hath been before declared. But as both the names Jesus and Christ, though neither of them is the name of an office, as one hath dreamed of late, yet have respect unto the work which he had to do and the office which he was to undergo, without which h…
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(2.) Neither is the signification of an Advocate to be omitted, seeing what he doth as such tendeth also to the consolation of the 862 THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A COMFORTER. [BOOK VIII. church. And we must first observe, that the Holy Spirit is not our ad- vocate with God. This belongs alone unto Jesus Christ, and is a part…
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[2.] He is the advocate for Christ, the church, and the gospel, in and by his communication of spiritual gifts, both extraordinary and S64 THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A COMFORTER. [BOOK VIII. ordinary, unto them that do believe; for these are things, at least in their effects, visible unto the world. Where men are not utterly…
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The subject-matter concerning which the Holy Ghost manageth his plea by the word against the world, as the advocate of the church, is referred unto the three heads of " sin, righteousness, and judgment," John xvi. 8, the especial nature of them being declared, verses 9-11. (1st) What sin it is in particular that the H…
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(3dly.) He " convinceth the world of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." Christ himself was judged and condemned by the world. In that judgment Satan, the prince of this world, had the principal hand ; for it was effected in the hour and under the power of darkness. And no doubt but he hoped that he …
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But we may more steadily consider this condescension with respect unto its object: the Holy Spirit thereby becomes a comforter unto vol. iv. 24 370 THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A COMFORTER. [BOOK VIII. us, poor, miserable worms of the earth. And what heart can con- ceive the glory of this grace? what tongue can express it? Es…
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2. The manner of the performance of this work is so expressed as to evince and expressly demonstrate that it is a work of love. So is it declared where he is promised unto the church for this work: Isa. lxvi. 1 3, " As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you ; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem." He w…
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3. It is an evidence that his work proceedeth from and is wholly managed in love, in that we are cautioned not to grieve him, Eph. iv. 30. And a double evidence of the greatness of his love is herein tendered unto us in that caution: — (1.) In that those alone are sub- ject to be grieved by us who act in love towards u…
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876 THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A COMFORTER. [BOOK VIII. is of power omnipotent. Thoughts of our disconsolation arise from the impressions that Satan makes upon our minds and consciences, by sin, temptation, and persecution ; for we find not in ourselves such an ability of resistance as from whence we may have an assurance of …
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Fourthly, This dispensation of the Spirit is unchangeable. Unto whomsoever he is given as a comforter, he abides with them for ever. This our Saviour expressly declares in the first promise he made of sending him as a comforter, in a peculiar manner: John xiv. 16, " I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another…
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These things are observable in the office of the Holy Ghost, in general, as he is the comforter of the church, and [in] the manner of his discharge thereof. What is farther considerable unto the guid- ance of our faith, and the participation of consolation with respect hereunto, will be evident in the declaration of th…
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But what doth all this amount unto in comparison of this privi- lege of believers, of this provision made for them in all their discon- solations, by Him in whom they do believe? This is a relief that never entered into the heart of man to think of or conceive. Nor can it be understood by any but those by whom it is en…
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CHAPTER IV. Inhabitation of the Spirit the first thing promised. The first thing which the Comforter is promised for unto believers is, that he should dwell in them ; which is their great fundamental privilege, and whereon all others do depend. This, therefore, must in the first place be inquired into. The inhabitat…
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Fourthly, The union and relation that ensues on this inhabitation of the Spirit is not immediate between him and believers, but be- tween them and Jesus Christ ; for he is sent to dwell in them by Christ, in his name, as his Spirit, to supply his room in love and grace towards them, making use of his things in all his …
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3. And this inhabitation is that which principally our Lord Jesus Christ directeth his disciples to expect in the promise of him: "He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you," John xiv. 17. He doth so who is the " Comforter ;" or, as it is emphatically ex- pressed, chap. xvi. 13, " The Spirit of truth/' He is promised u…
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(2.) This is the hidden spring and cause of that inexpressible dis- tance and difference that is between believers and the rest of the world. Our apostle tells us that the " life" of believers is " hid with Christ in God," Col. iii. 3. A blessed life they have whilst they are here, dead to the world, and as dead in the…
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CHAP. V.] THE UNCTION OF THE SPIRIT. 391 tion in any other place of Scripture of any peculiar internal act or work towards any persons, in their teaching or reception of the truth/' it is so extremely remote from the truth, and is so directly opposite unto express testimonies almost innumerable, that I wonder how any …
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CHAP. V.] THE UNCTION OF THE SPIRIT. 393 clared. (4.) He was so at his ascension, when he received of the Father the promise of the Spirit, pouring him forth on his disciples, Acts ii. S3. And in this latter instance he was " anointed with the oil of gladness " which includes his glorious exaltation also : for this wa…
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Hereunto also is referred what is said of believers being made "kings and priests," Rev. i. 6; for there is an allusion therein unto the anointing of those sorts of persons under the Old Testament. What- ever was typical therein was fully accomplished in the unction of Christ unto his office, wherein he was the soverei…
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The degrees of this knowledge, which are exceeding various, both with respect unto the clearness and evidence of conception and the extent of the things known, depend on the various measures whereby the Spirit acteth, according unto his own will, and the different use of the external means of knowledge which we do enjo…
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And whereas this is that by which, as it immediately proceeds from the Holy Spirit, they have their peculiar dedication unto God, being made kings and priests unto him, they are highly concerned to secure their interest therein ; for it may be they are so far from being exalted, promoted, and dignified in the world by …
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These things have been spoken unto and enlarged on by many, so that there is no need again to insist upon them. And what is com- monly delivered unto this purpose is good and useful in the sub- stance of it, and I have on several occasions long since myself made use of them. But upon renewed thoughts and consideration,…
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Thirdly, Wherefore the sealing of God unto this end and purpose must have two properties and two ends also annexed unto it: — 1. There is in it a communication of authority and ability ; for the inquiry is, how he could give them that meat which endureth unto everlast- ing life, as afterwards they ask expressly, " How …
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1. That when any persons are so effectually called as to become true believers, they are brought into many new relations, — as, to God him- self, as his children ; unto Jesus Christ, as his members; unto all saints and angels in the families of God above and below, as brethren ; and are called to many new works, duties…
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406 THE HOLY SPIKIT AS A COMFORTER. [BOOK VIII. is none of his," Rom. viii. 9. Hereon alone depends the determina- tion of our especial relation unto God. By this, therefore, cloth God seal believers, and therein gives them assurance of his love; and this is to be the sole rule of your self-examination whether you are…
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408 THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A COMFORTER. [BOOK VIII. tance." Everywhere the article is of the masculine gender, 6's lertv appaQwV and nvsv/j,a, the Spirit, is of the neuter. Some would have it to refer unto Christ, verse 12. But as it is not unusual in Scrip- ture that the subjunctive article and relative should agree in g…
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3. Man by his sin had universally forfeited his whole right unto all the ends of his creation, both on the earth below and in heaven above. Death and hell were become all that the whole race of man- kind had either right or title unto. But yet ail the glorious things that God had provided were not to be cast away; an h…
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Thus as the Lord Christ himself was made " heir of all things" by that communication of the Spirit unto him whereby he was anointed unto his office, so the participation of the same Spirit from bim and by him makes us co-heirs with him ; and so he is an earnest given us of God of the future inheritance. It belongs not …
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First, We have a negative precept to this purpose : Eph. iv. 30, Mr) Xv-nhs rb TJyeij/ua, to aytov, — "Grieve not the holy Spirit;" — " Consider who he is, what he hath done for you, how great your concern is in his continuance with you, and withal that he is a free, infinitely wise, and holy agent in all that he doth,…
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8. The concernment of the Holy Spirit in us concurs to his being said to be grieved by us ; for we are grieved by them in whom we are particularly concerned. The miscarriages of others we can pass over without any such trouble. And there are two things that give us an especial concernment in others: — (1.) Relation, as…
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CHAP. VII.] APPLICATION OF THE DISCOURSE. 417 cast us off, and deal with us no more for our recovery ; and woe unto us when he shall depart from us! So when the old world would not be brought to repentance by the dispensation of the Spirit of Christ in the preaching of Noah, 1 Pet. iii. 19, 20, God said thereon that h…
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Secondly, It is so to take heed of the very entrances of the course described. Have there been such evils in any of us as where- in it is evident that the Spirit is grieved? as we love our souls, we are to take care that we do not vex him by a continuance in them. And if we do not diligently and speedily recover oursel…
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Be it so, therefore, that these gifts we intend are not in them- selves saving graces, yet are they not to be despised ; for they are, as we shall show, the " powers of the world to come," by means where- of the kingdom of Christ is preserved, carried on, and propagated in the world. And although they are not grace, ye…
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424 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. to be supplied ; and where they are called y^ap/g^ara only, insufburixd is to be understood, as expressing their especial difference from all others. They are neither natural nor moral, but spiritual endow- ments; for both their author, nature, and object, are respected herein. Their …
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426 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. nent gifts, did yet all of thern come short of John the Baptist, be- cause they had not, by virtue of their gifts, that acquaintance with the person of Christ and insight into his work of mediation that he had; and yet also he came short of him that is " least in the king- dom of heav…
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428 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. glorify Christ and the gospel in the exercise of it, Col. i. 6; John xv. 8. But gifts are bestowed on the professing church to render it visible in such a way as whereby God is glorified. Grace gives an invisible life to the church, gifts give it a visible profession; for hence doth t…
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430 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. but so, and where they are solitary or alone, are only the effects of a temporary election. Thus God chooseth some men unto some office in the church, or unto some work in the world. As this includeth a preferring them before or above others, or the using them when others are not used…
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3. Saving grace is an effect of the covenant, and bestowed in the accomplishment and by virtue of the promises thereof. This hath been declared elsewhere at large, where we treated of regeneration and sanctification. All that are taken into this covenant are sanc- tified and made holy. There is no grace designed unto a…
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434 OF SPIEITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. difference from all natural endowments, that even the world cannot but take notice of them, though it violently hate and persecute them, and the church is abundantly satisfied with the sense of the power of Christ in them. Moreover, the principal end of these gifts is to enable the of…
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43 G OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. an evidence that he never had any that was genuine and of the right kind. (2.) Fruitfulness unto the benefiting of others is hence also expected. Holy obedience, the effect of saving grace, is fre- quently expressed in the Scripture by fruits and fruitfulness. See Col. i. 10. And the…
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These are some of the principal agreements and differences between saving graces and spiritual gifts, both sorts of them being wrought in 438 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IS. believers by "that one and the self-same Spirit, which divideth to every one severally as he will." And for a close of this discourse I shall only…
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440 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. namely, to attend the presence of Christ, and to go forth to preach as he gave them order. Hence because he was in his own person, as to his prophetical office, the "minister only of the circumcision," being therein, according to all the promises, sent only to the " lost sheep of the …
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442 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. receive; but there yet remained the communication of extraordinary gifts unto them, to enable them unto the discharge of their office. And this was that which, after the ascension of Christ, they received on the day of Pentecost, as it is related, Acts ii. And this was so essentially …
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2. Out of the world, by the preaching of the gospel, persons were called, converted, and thereon gathered into holy societies or churches, for the celebration of gospel-worship and their own mutual edifica- tion. All these churches, wherever they were called and planted in the whole world, were equally under the author…
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In the gospel church-state there were evangelists also, as they are mentioned, Eph. iv. 11; Acts xxi. 8 ; 2 Tim. iv. 5 ; — gospellers, preachers of the gospel, distinct from the ordinary teachers of the churches. Things, I confess, are but obscurely delivered concerning this sort of men in Scripture, their office being…
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448 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. evangelists among them for a season, who had power, by virtue of their office, to dispose of things in the churches until they came unto completeness and perfection. When this end was attained, and the churches were settled under ordinary elders of their own, the evan- gelists removed…
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Some, indeed, seem not satisfied whether to derive their claim from Timothy and Titus as evangelists, or from the bishops that were ordained by them or described unto them. But whereas those bishops were no other but elders of particular churches, as is evident, vol. iv. 29 450 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. beyond a…
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2. Sometimes an extraordinary gift without office is intended in this expression. So it is said that Philip the evangelist " had four 452 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. daughters, virgins, which did prophesy," Acts xxi. 9. It is not said that they were prophetesses, as there were some under the Old Tes- tament, only t…
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454 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. minds of men. These miraculous operations were the witness of the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, which he gave to the truth of the gospel. See Heb. ii. 4, with our exposition thereon. Where- fore, there was no more in these gifts, which absolutely exceed the whole faculties of our …
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456 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. stances, temptations of men and churches; of their state, condition, strength or weakness, growth or decays, obedience or failings, their capacities and progress; with the holy accommodation of himself in what he teacheth or delivereth, in meekness, in vehemency, in tenderness, in sha…
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458 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. of the gospel. And hereunto a worldly ministry is no less averse than unto a sense of their own insufficiency. The fruits do sufi% ciently manifest how much this duty is contemned by them. But the neglect of it, — I say, the neglect of praying for wisdom to be enabled unto the dischar…
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460 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. liable thereunto. The knoivledge mentioned in that place by the apostle, which he ascribes in common unto all the church, was only that which concerned "things sacrificed unto idols;" and if we should extend it farther, unto an understanding of the " mystery of the gos- pel," which wa…
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462 OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. [BOOK IX. the account of its profession, many, even true believers, are very- ready to faint and despond, and some to draw back, at least for a season, as others do utterly, to the perdition of their souls. In this state the eminent usefulness of this gift of boldness in the faith, of an assure…
1,109 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.