PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 5
John Owen · 250,432 words · 247 reading sections
Section 181
330 ON JUSTIFICATION. of life, afterward called " tlie oLedience of Christ." Be men as wise and learned as they please, it becomes us all to learn to think and speak of these divine mysteries from this blessed apostle, who knew them better than we all, and, besides, wrote by divine inspiration. And it is marvellous u…
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The conclusion of what hath been evinced, in the management of the comparison insisted on, is fully expressed and farther confinned, chap. V. 18, 19. Verse 18. "Therefore, as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men unto condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto jus…
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Yet is it more plainly expressed, verse 19: " For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." This is well explamed by Cyrillus Alexandrinus in Joan. lib. xi. cap. 25 : " Quemadmodum praevaricatione primi hominis ut in primi- tiis generis nostri, morti…
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The state of the person to be justified is a state of sin and wrath, wliercin he is liable unto death and condemnation. This is that S3 6 ON JUSTIFICATION. which a convinced sinner is sensible of, and which alone, in the first place, he seeks for deliverance from : " What shall we do to be saved ?" This, in the first…
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4. All the obedience of Christ had still respect unto the sacrifice of himself which was to ensue, wherein it received its accomplish- ment, and whereon its efiicacy unto our justification did depend : for as no imputation of actual obedience would justify sinners from the condemnation that was passed on them for the s…
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If, therefore, those who have no righteousness of their own, who are so far from it that they never endeavoured to attain it, do j^et by faith receive that righteousness wherewith they are justified before God, they do so by the imputation of the righteousness of Christ unto them; or let some other way be assigned. In…
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Whatever is done in us, or performed by us, as obedience unto God, is our oivn righteousness. Though it be done in faith, and by the aids of God's grace, yet is it subjectively ours, and, so far as it is a righteousness, it is our own. But all righteousness whatever, which is our own, is so far diverse from the righteo…
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Wherefore, the apostle declares, that all this is done another way ; that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled, and its end, as unto a rigliteousness before God, attained ; and that is in and by Christ. For what the law required, that he accomplished ; which is accounted unto every one that beheves. Herein the ap…
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JUSTIFICATION AS DECLARED BY PAUL. 345 And this cannot possibly be but when our righteousness is inherent in us ; for that, however it may be procured, or purchased, or wrought in us, is yet our own, so far as any thing can be our own whilst we are creatures. This kind of righteousness, therefore, is here excluded. An…
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JUSTIFICATION AS DECLARED BY PAUL. 347 the same way and manner; and therefore doth he not assign any- special way whereby he is so made them all, but clouds it in an am- biguous expression, that he becomes all these things unto us in the providence of God. But ask him in particular, how Christ is made sanctification u…
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' Estius wrote a "Siniima Theologisp," in 1614, and commentaries upon the four books of the Sentences in 1615. — Ed. JUSTIFICATION AS DECLARED BY PAUL. 3 19 make expiation of it." And so it is rendered by tlie LXX., some- times by 'iXad'Mjg, Ezek. xliv. 27, sometimes s^iXaff/ji.6g, Exod. xxx. 10, Ezek. xliii. 22, a "…
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But it is said, that if " the guilt of sin were imputed unto Christ, he is excluded from all possibility of merit, for he suffered but what was his due ; and so the whole work of Christ's satisfaction is sub- verted. This must be so, if God in judgment did reckon him guilty and a sinner." But there is an ambiguity in t…
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JUSTIFICATION AS DECLARED BY PAUL. So3 surdity of the assertion flxlls upon himself; we are not concerned in it. For he affirms direct^, Kb. i., De Purgator., cap. 14, that "a man may be rightly called his own redeemer and saviour;" which he en- deavours to prove from Dan. iv. And some of his church affirm tliat the s…
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Gal. ii. 16. The epistle of the same apostle unto the Galatiansis wholly designed unto the vindication of the doctrine of justification by Christ, without the works of the law, with the use and means of its improvement. The sum of his whole design is laid down in the repetition of his words unto the apostle Peter, on t…
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It is not probable that we shall have an end of contending in this Avorld, when men will not acquiesce in such plain determinations of controversies given by the Holy Ghost himself The interpretation of this place, given as the meaning of the apostle, — that men cannot be justified by those works which they cannot per…
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But it will be said, "These are good words, indeed, but they are only general ; there is nothing of argument in all this adoring of the grace of God in the work of our salvation." It may be so, it seems, to many; but yet, to speak plainly, there is to me more argument in this one consideration, — namely, of the ascript…
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But not content herewith, he describes this work negatively, or adds an exclusion of what might be pretended to have a concernment therein. And therein three things are stated distinctly: — 1. What it is he so excludes. 2. The reason whereon he doth so. 8. The confirmation of that reason, wherein he obviates an objecti…
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8. The apostle gives another reason why it cannot be of works, and withal obviates an objection which might arise from what he had declared, Eph. ii. 10, " For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." And the force of his reason, which…
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5. Hence it was that, in many other places of his writings, but in this especially, he treats of these things with a greater earnestness and vehemency of spirit than ordinary. Thus, — (1.) On the part of JUSTIFICATION AS DECLARED BY PAUL. SC5 Christ, whom he would exalt, he mentioneth not only the kuowledge of huTfi,…
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1. Some say that by his own righteousness, which the apostle rejects, he intends only his righteousness ix v6/j.ov, or " by the works JUSTIFICATION AS DECLARED BY PAUL. 867 of the law/' But this was only an outiuard, external righteousness, consisting in the obsei'vation of rites and ceremonies, without respect unto …
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The words of Davenant on this passage of the apostle, being in my judgment not only sober, but weighty also, I shall transcribe them: "Hie docet apostolus queenam illajustitia sit qua nitendum coram Deo, nunirum qua? per fidem apprehenditur, at hsec imputata est: Causam etiam ostendit cur jure nostra fiat, nimirum quia…
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Bellarmine considereth this testimony in three places, lib. i. cap. 18, lib. i. cap. 19, lib. v. cap. 5, De Justificat. And he returns three answers unto it ; which contain the substance of all that is pleaded by others unto the same purpose: He saith, — (1.) " That the righteous- ness which is by the law, and which is…
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OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 373 by the imputation of the righteousness of Christ doth render oior personal righteousness needless, and overthrows all necessity of a holy life. The other is, that the apostle James, in his epistle, doth plainly ascribe our justification unto works; and what he affirms there is inconsistent w…
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OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. S75 tions. And hereby they may happen also to frighten poor, simple people into a compliance with them, whilst they peremptorily de- nounce damnation against them unless they do so. And none, for the most part, are more fierce in the denunciation of the condemnatory sentence against others for n…
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(1.) I am not satisfied that any of those who at present oppose this doctrine do, in holiness or righteousness, in the exercise of faith, love, zeal, self-denial, and all other Christian gi'aces, surpass those who, in the last ages, both in this and other nations, firmly adhered unto it, and who constantly testified un…
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These general observations being premised, which are sufficient of themselves to discard this objection from any place in the minds of sober men, I shall only add the consideration of what answers the a,postle Paul returns unto it, with a brief application of them unto our purpose. The objection made unto the apostle …
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3. The answers which the apostle returns positively unto this ob- jection, wherein he declares the necessity, nature, ends, and use of evangelical righteousness and good works, are large and many, com- prehensive of a great part of the doctrine of the gospel. I shall only mention the heads of some of them, which are th…
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(3.) The apostle answereth this objection, by discovering the ne- cessary relation that faith hath unto the death of Christ, the grace of God, with the nature of sanctification, excellency, use, and advan- tage of gospel holiness, and the end of it in God's appointment. OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. S83 This he doth at larg…
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PAUL AND JAMES RECONCILED. 385 is mentioned only occasionally with reference unto otlier things or ends, is, as unto that truth, to be taken from and accommodated unto those other places wherein it is the design and purpose of the holy j^enman to declare li for its own sake, and to guide the faith of the church therei…
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Secondly, This was not the judgment of the ancient church for PAUL AND JAMES RECONCILED. 387 three or four huncU'ed years ; for whereas the epistles of Paul were always esteemed the principal treasure of the church, the great guide and rule of the Christian faith, this of James was scarce received as canonical by man…
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PAUL AND JAMES RECONCILED. 389 suppose that this pernicious conceit was imbibed by them from the poisonous opinions that some had then divulged, according as the apostle Paul foretold that it would come to pass, 2 Tim. iv, 1-4 : for it is generally conceived that Simon Magus and his followers had by this time infected…
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Bellarmine useth several arguments to prove that the faith here intended by James 'is justifying faith considered in itself; but they are all weak to contempt, as being built on this supposition, that true justifying faith is nothing but a real assent unto the catholic doctrine or divine revelation: De Justificat. lib.…
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PAUL AND JAMES RECONCILED. 393 believe also, but only inquire in what sense he was so justified : for it was thirty years or thereabout after it was testified concerning him that " he believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness;" and when righteousness was imputed unto him he was justified; and tmce ju…
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In the beginning of the chapter unto verse 14, he reproves those unto whom he wrote for many sins committed against the law, the rule of their sins and obedience, or at least wameth them of them; PAUL AND JAMES RECONCILED. 395 and having showed the danger they were in hereby, he discovers the root and principal occas…
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That this faith, which cannot be evidenced by works, which is not fruitful in them, but consists only in a bare assent unto the truth of divine revelation, is not the faith that doth justify or will save us, he farther proves, in that it is no other but what the devils themselves have; and no man can think or hope to b…
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PAUL AND JAMES EECONCILED. 399 fled or accepted with God. Abraham was not then first justified ; he was not then said to be justified ; — he was declared to be justified, and that by and upon his works : which contains the whole of what the apostle intends to prove. There is, therefore, no appearance of the least con…
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GOSPEL GROUNDS AND EVIDENCES THE FAITH OF GOD'S ELECT; THE NATURE OF TRUE SAVING FAITH, IN SECUEINGOF THE SPIRITUAL COMFORT OF RELIEVERS IN THIS LIFE, IS OF THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE. II. THE WAY WHEREIN TRUE FAITH DOTU EVIDENCE ITSELF IN THE SOULS AND CONSCIENCES OF BELIEVERS, UNTO THEIR SUPPORTMENT AND COMFORT, UND…
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FourMy, The last evidence specified of true faith is the evangelical repentance which it produces. Weanedness from the world, the lively remembrance of sin, a becoming intensity of godly sorrow on account of it, and other spiritual duties, are described as essential elements in the penitential feelings and exercises of…
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406 EVIDENCES OF THE This is that which we are to explain and prove. Saving faith is our " believing the record that God hath given us of his Son," 1 John v. 10. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life; and this life is in his Son," verse 11. This is the testimony which God gives, that great a…
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Now, the real answer which men return unto themselves is accord- ing to the influence which their minds are under from one or other of the two divine covenants, — that of works or that of grace. And these two covenants, talcen absolutely, are inconsistent, and give answers in this case that are directly contradictory t…
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This in general is God's way of saving sinners, whether men like it or no : " For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh ; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us," Rom. viii. 3…
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First, It approves of it, as that which every way becomes God to find out, to grant, and propose: so speaks the apostle, Heb. ii. 10, " It became him, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Cap- tain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." Tliat becomes God, is worthy of him, is to be owned concerning hi…
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Yea, from the same unbelief it is that at this day the very notion of the truth herein is rejected by many, even all those who are called Socinians, and all that adhere unto them in the disbelief of super- natural mysteriea They cannot see a suitableness in this way of salvation unto the glory of God, — as no unbelieve…
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FAITH OF GOD S ELECT. 41 5 in the proposal of this way unto you by the gospel? Do you, in all youi' fears and temptations, in all approaches of death, renounce all other reserves and reliefs, and betake your whole confidence unto this way alone, and the representation of God made therein? Herein lies that faith, and i…
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FAITH OF god's ELECT. 417 sinned, and calls in the witness of conscience to testify the truth of all its allegations: but there is a full and satisfactory answer given unto this whole plea of the law in this way of salvation. God de- clares in it, and by it, how he hath provided for the satisfaction of all these thing…
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(1.) A spiritual light into, and discovery of, the revelation and de- claration made in the gospel of the wisdom, love, grace, and mercy of God in Christ Jesus. It is not a mere assent unto the truth of the revelation or authority of the revealer; — this, indeed, is sup- posed and included in it; but it adds thereunto …
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(3.) The last act of faith, in the order of nature, is the soul's acqui- escency in, and trust unto, this way of salvation for itself and its own eternal condition, with a renunciation of all other ways and means for that end. And because Jesus Christ, in his person, media- tion, and righteousness, is the life and cent…
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Wherefore, this approbation of duties in things moral is common unto all men. The light whereby it is guided may be variously im- proved, as it was in some of the Gentiles; and it may be stifled in Bome, until it seem to be quite extinguished, until they become like the beasts that perish. And where the discerning powe…
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(3.) No man, without the light of saving faith, can constantly and universally approve of the revelation of the will of God, as unto our holiness and obedience. To make this evident, which is the foundation of our present dis- covery of the acting of saving faith, we must consider, — [1.] What it is that is to be appr…
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This every believer may ordinarily find in himself; for although this disposition may be variously weakened, opposed, interrupted by indwelling sin, and the power of temptation; though it may be im- paired by a neglect of the stirring up and exercise of the principle of spiritual life, in all requisite graces, on all o…
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We shall therefore, in the next place, proceed to inquire on what grounds it is that faith doth thus approve of the whole will of God, as imto our holiness and obedience; as also, how it evidenceth itself so to do. And these grounds are two : — the one respecting God ; the other, our own souls. First, Faith looks on t…
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Hereon, I say, faith doth approve of the form and principle of this holiness, as the renovation of the image of God in us; it looks upon it as that which becomes God to bestow and require, and therefore that which hath an incomparable excellency and desirableness in it. Yea, when the soul is ready to faint under an app…
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482 EVIDENCES OF THE tlie consequents of sin, with an apprehension of some advantages which are to be obtained by a sober life and the profession of reli- gion, do steer and regulate the minds of unbelievers, in all they do towards God or for eternity; but the minds of believers are influenced by a view of the glory o…
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" The new man is renewed in knowledoe after the imao'e of him that created him," Col. iii. 10. That this saving light and know- ledge is the spring and principle of all real evangelical holiness and obedience, the apostle declares in that description which he gives us of the whole of it, both in its beginning and progr…
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And hereby doth faith evidence itself and its own sincerity, whilst a man is ashamed of, and abased in, himself for eveiy sin, for every thing of sin, wherein it comes short of the holiness required of us, as that which is base and unworthy of our nature, in its present consti- tution and renovation; though it be that …
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2. This hath caused many to turn aside, to fall off from and for- sake the solemn ordinances of divine worship, and to betake them- selves unto vain imaginations for relief, in trembling, enthusiastical 438 EVIDENCES OF THE singing and feigned raptures; from hence have so many forsaken their own mercies to follow aft…
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Hereon and herewith we shall be affected with a sense of our infinite distance from him ; which is another means to stir up faith unto its due exercise in reverence and godly fear. So Abraham was affected, Gen. xviii. 27. [This is that] which the wise man directs us unto, Eccles. v. 2. Carnal boldness in the want of t…
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6. Above all, the principal rule herein is, that we would always carefully remember the concernment of Christ in these duties, with respect unto his office. He is the high priest over the house of God ; through him, and under his conduct, are we always to draw nigh to God; and his work it is to present the prayers and …
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2. As unto the persons in whom this is required, and in whom faith will evidence itself by it, they are of various sorts: — (1.) Such as have been, by the power of their corruptions and temp- tations, surprised into great sins. That some true believers may be so, we have precedents both in the Old Testament and in the…
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FAITH OF god's ELECT. 445 testifies, Ezek. ix. 4, they alone shall be under his especial care in a day of public distress and calamity, — a duty wherein it is to be feared that we are most of us very defective. Now, the frame of heart re- quired hereunto cannot be attained, nor the duty rightly performed, without that…
995 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.