PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 7
John Owen · 292,509 words · 290 reading sections
Section 61
Multitudes, yea, whole nations, are often brought unto an outward general profession of the truth of religion, especially with respect unto the opposition of any other that is made thereunto. The in- fluence and example of some that are in power and esteem among them, falling in with a season of encouraging circumstanc…
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We may therefore well fix this as another cause, or occasion at least, of apostasy. When men are ignorant of the religion which themselves profess, as to its doctrines, and the principal grounds of them; when they are like the Samaritans, who understood not their own religious worship, which they had received by trad…
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accusing or excusing as unto sin or duty, Rom. ii, 14, 15. Having, therefore, by reason of their ignorance, no experience of any power or efficacy in that religion which themselves profess, they begin to think there is a reality in what is proposed unto them, and so are easily inveigled; for there is no security of hi…
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The reformation of the church consisted principally in the deliver- ance of the people from darkness and ignorance; and if through our neglect they should be reduced again into the same state and con- dition, they would be a ready prey for the Papacy to seize upon. ‘The advice of the apostle, as to the duty of all gos…
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Tn all things the mind of man would be its own measure, guide, and rule, continually teeming with these two evils:— 1. It exalts imaginations of its own, which it loves, applauds, dotes on, and adheres unto. This is the original of heresy, this hath given birth, growth, and progress, to error; for “God hath made man u…
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126 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY, of men leave, that (whether their conclusions were true or false about it) any man could come to the understanding of it who had not been a better proficient in the school of Aristotle than of Christ. To believe and teach the doctrine of the Scripture, though with sound reason an…
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128 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY. sons, they are not the judges of them, but are the servants of faith — only in bearing witness unto them; for “the things of a man knoweth the spirit of man which is in him; but the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God,” 1 Cor. iz 11. . In brief, to affirm that we …
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We may apply these things unto our present purpose. The de- sign of the gospel, in all its especial truths and mysteries, is to bring every thought into subjection unto the obedience of faith. Hence is that direction which flesh and blood will never comply withal, “If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world,…
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It is, therefore, evident that this kind of apostasy springs from no 132 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY. other root but the pride of the minds of men, refusing to admit of evangelical truths on the mere authority of divine revelation, where they are above reason as it is limited, or contrary unto it as cor- rupted…
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(1.) That reason as tt acts in them is the same with right reason in general,—that whatever respect is due to the one is so to the other. It were well, in the meantime, if prejudices, corrupt affections, and gross ignorance, did not, on great variety of occasions, manifest them- selves among this sort of persons; and n…
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3. It is also plainly intimated that such a season of the prevalency of a defection from the truth shall be a time of great security among the generality of professed Christians. Churches shall be asleep, persons shall cry, “ Peace, peace,” when that day cometh as a snare. We are not, therefore, left without sufficien…
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(8.) It likewise worketh by vain confidences. Most men think with Peter, and on no better grounds than he did (nor so good neither, as not being conscious unto themselves of so much sincerity as he was), that though all men should forsake the truth and purity of re- ligion, yet they will not do so. But they understand …
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I shall not insist on other depraved affections of the minds of men. The truth is, there is no one prevalent lust, no one predominant sin, no spiritual or moral disorder indulged unto, but it disposeth the soul first unto an under-valuation and then to a relinquishment of the truth, as occasions are offered. VI. The h…
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God may be forsaken by men in one way, and he may righteously forsake them in another. For instance, under the profession of the _ truth, men may give up themselves unto all ungodliness and unright- eousness, unto a flagitious course of life in all abominations, so hold- ing the truth captive in unrighteousness. In thi…
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2. By suffering seducers and false teachers to come among a “people with such advantageous outward circumstances as shall further their success. These seducers prepare themselves for their work by their own inclinations and the suggestions of Satan; but God, for the executing of his just displeasure, will, by his provi…
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They are of another sort from whom we may take an instance of the especial reasons of a peculiar defection from the gospel; for it is manifest how some among ourselves are fallen off trom the whole mystery of it, with respect unto the person and grace of Christ, the satisfaction for sin made by his death, the atonement…
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2. Hereunto is required a knowledge and sense of the weakness of the best of owr duties, and their utter insufficiency to abide the trial in the sight of God. Without the former we cannot have, and with- out the latter we can never abide in, a sense of the want of Christ. A right consideration of the instability of our…
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Wherefore, a spiritual view of him, an acquaintance with him, as “the brightness of the Father’s glory, and the express image of his person,’ as him in whom all the perfections of the divine nature, as wisdom, goodness, and grace, do centre, as to their manifestation, even in the union of his natures, the glory of his …
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Thirdly, Want of experience of the power and efficacy of the Spirit and grace of Christ, of his life and death, for the mortifica- tion of sin, hath been another spring of this apostasy. How it is wrought by these means, and can be no otherwise accomplished, I have showed elsewhere at large, and must not here assume th…
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the cause of the whole lies solely in their own ignorance and want of experience of the things which themselves professed. _ Fourthly, Ignorance of the righteousness of God hath been another spring of this apostasy. This the apostle expressly declares to be the reason why men go about to establish a righteousness of …
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And hence it is that all opinions of a self-righteousness, or justifi- cation by works, have always produced licentiousness of life, though a fi oe alt aon ee ee an A PECULIAR DEFECTION FROM THE TRUTH ILLUSTRATED. 155 __ they who assert it clamorously pretend to the contrary. So when a righteousness of works was a…
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————— eer ttst—“‘i‘—SSs—t A PECULIAR DEFECTION FROM THE TRUTH ILLUSTRATED. 157 of words any may lead men into and tire them withal, whatever _ reviling and reproaching of others they may compass them with, they cannot but know in their own consciences that it is thus with them. Notwithstanding any profession that t…
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” a \ = APOSTASY FROM THE HOLINESS OF THE GOSPEL. 159 as that they shall despise every thing that is tendered unto convic- - tion. _ This is the FIRST way whereby men fall away from the gospel, — namely, from the mystery and doctrine of it as it is the object of our faith; wherein they do what in them lies “to…
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1. If this twofold ruinous apostasy will and doth press upon us, * Owen refers to a work by the learned Joseph Mede, entitled, «The Apostasy of the Latter Times; or, the Gentiles’ Theology of Demons Revived in the Invocation of Saints, Adoring of Relics,” etc. It was published in 1642. An edition of it appeared so r…
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8. Together with the light and doctrine of the gospel, or the preaching of it, there is an administration of the Spirit, to convince men. of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This God hath promised, Isa. lix. 21, and this the Lord Christ doth effect wherever the word is orderly dispensed according unto his mind and wil…
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Now, the apostasy that is in the world from gospel holiness, or evangelical obedience, is of two kinds; for some fall from it as for- mally such, and others as to the matter of it. Of the first sort are they who would advance another kind of obedience, a course of an- — other sort of duties, or the same as to the subst…
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2. The rule of their duties and obedience, as to what is, in their own judgment, eminent therein, is not the gospel, but a system of peculiar laws and rules that they have framed for themselves. So some obey the rule of Benedict, some of Francis, some of Domi- a Re eel anil ia APOSTASY OF THE CHURCH OF ROME, 167 ni…
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cally,—that is, in the power of the grace of Christ, unto the glory of: God by him,—is an essential part of gospel obedience. And whoever they are who (under the pretence of grace or any thing else) do neglect the improvement of moral virtues, or the observance of the duties of morality, they are so far disobedient un…
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minds, enabling them to discern and know the mind of God, which ~ none knoweth originally but. the Spirit of God, by whom it is made [known] unto us, 1 Cor. ii. 11,12. Yet this is that which some men seem to take up withal and rest in, unto the rejection of evangelical _ obedience. Lastly, The same censure is to be…
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Here lies the first spring of the apostasy of many in the world, of them especially who betake themselves unto and take up satisfaction in another way of duties than what the gospel requireth. They had, it is possible, by their light and convictions, made so near approaches unto it as to see what an incessant travail o…
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(4.) Unacquaintedness with the true nature of evangelical repent- ance is another cause hereof. This is that grace which comfortably carrieth the souls of believers through all their failings, infirmities, and sins; nor are they able to live to God one day without the con- stant exercise of it.. They find it as necessa…
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APOSTASY FROM THE HOLINESS OF THE GOSPET, 177 Spirit, and not after the flesh, and that newness of life, which the _ gospel everywhere prescribeth unto us. On no other terms but universality in obedience and opposition unto sin will it approve of us, 1 John iii, 7-10. And this occasioneth the turning aside of many f…
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i hy ih ode eb APOSTASY FROM THE HOLINESS OF THE GOSPEL, 179 corrupt heart of men by any means at liberty from an awe and reverence of the holiness of God and his law with respect unto the inward actings and frames of the soul, with a sense of guilt where they are irregular, and a necessity of constant humiliation…
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“ Amor patriee, laudumque immensa cupido,” Hence they always esteemed those virtues the most excellent which had the best acceptation and the greatest vogue of praise among men. And it seems to be ingrafted in the nature of man to have some kind of desire to be approved in what men judge themselves to do well and laud…
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ever of the same nature befalleth others, it is sufficiently represented therein. “oe APOSTASY INTO PROFANENESS, ETC. 183 The immediate internal causes (which are, as the rise and original of all sins, so of those wherein this apostasy doth consist, because they are not peculiar hereunto, but equally respect all s…
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APOSTASY INTO PROFANENESS, ETC. 185 dently declared in the gospel. And it is to be feared that something of the like nature hath fallen out among Christians also. The first apostasy the Christian world fell into was by superstition and idola- try, principally under the conduct of the church of Rome; and this, as it wi…
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APOSTASY INTO PROFANENESS, ETC. 187 verting of the hearers.” And what he was enjoined in his own per- son, that also he was directed to commit unto others with the same charge, that the truth of the gospel might be preserved incorrupt in succeeding generations, 2 Tim. ii. 1, 2, “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in th…
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—_— APOSTASY INTO PROFANENESS, ETC. 189 that subject: some, they say, preach all about Christ and grace, and _ justification by the imputation of Christ’s righteousness, and the like; but they preach about God’s attributes, moral duties, obedience to superiors, and things of that nature. But whether this fancy have m…
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Aa > Te” eee ee << yy ‘ ‘ ~ APOSTASY INTO PROFANENESS, ETC. 191 respect unto them who publicly taught philosophy; to which pur- pose the words of Themistius are remarkable: Orat, 1, ’ Aversudépoug re 0 ovv ovrws eiploxovres xa Piroxpnucdrovs re xol dprayec, Aosdpoug re ral Pirarexdnuovas nai ahaldvac, dorspods re x…
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It is known how brutishly ignorant the generality of their priests are in the Papacy; neither, for the most part, do the rulers of that church require any more of them than that they have skill enough to read and manage their public offices of devotion. Neither is it much otherwise in the Greek church, in any of the br…
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So was it with the church under the old testament, as God by the prophets complains in a hundred places. Can any man be so stupid as to imagine that the ordinary discharge of the priestly office in the church of Rome, in saying their offices at canonical hours, hear- ing of confessions and giving absolutions, without t…
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CHAPTER X. Other causes and occasions of the decay of holiness. II. Muurrrupss are led into and countenanced in the ways of sin and profaneness, freely indulging unto their lusts and corrupt affections, by a false appropriation of justifying names and titles — unto them, in ways of sin and wickedness. This was one …
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198 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY. all that is required of us that we may be eternally saved is contained in the precepts of the gospel, men can have no other outward secu- — rity of their souls’ welfare than what doth accompany the church and its rights. When, therefore, they do find on what easy terms they may h…
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through their pretended interest in the church and its privileges, even flagitious sinners were secured of immortality and glory. 3. For the increase of their satisfaction, for the confirming of their security, they found that hell and destruction were denounced only against them who were not of the church. For besid…
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To suppose really the least countenance to be given hereunto by any thing that belongs unto the gospel, is to exercise against it the highest despite imaginable. This event, therefore, must and doth principally follow on the undue application of the outward tokens of God’s favour and pledges of eternal blessedness unto…
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IV. This apostasy hath been very much promoted by perse- cution. I mean not that persecution which hath befallen the sin- cere, constant professors of Christianity from the avowed enemies thereof, upon the account of their profession of it. This is so far from being any cause or occasion of a defection from the holines…
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Besides, that religion is alien from the gospel, at least includes a notable defection from it, whose avowed profession doth not represent the spirit, graces, and virtues of Him who was its author; yea, con- formity unto him in all things is the sum and substance of that obe- dience which it doth require. But in this w…
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Thus the sin of this nation hath been always esteemed sensuality of life, in an eacess of eating and drinking, with the consequents thereof. Hereunto of late have been added vanity in apparel, with foolish, light, lascivious modes and dressings therein, and an immo- dest boldness in conversation among men and women. Th…
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VI. Mistakes about the beauty and glory of Christian religion have been no small cause of apostasy from its power and holi- ness. That it should have a glory, somewhat that might render it honourable in the eyes and esteem of men, was always thought un- questionable ; and it is certainly true, provided that we suppose …
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(2.) A pompous, ceremonious worship, which began to be intro-- duced by a pretence of outward solemnity, and ended in plain super- stition and idolatry. And hereby were the minds of men diverted and taken off from inquiring after that spiritual exercise of the graces and gifts of the Spirit, wherein alone the beauty of…
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it never knew any thing of the design, but added one thing unto © another, as occasion was offered, which gave it increase; but in him the projection was designed, and regularly carried on from the be- ginning. Hence had it the name of “The mystery of iniquity,” as being insinuated and promoted by such unsearchable me…
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a OTHER CAUSES OF THE DECAY OF HOLINESS. 215 hoped, seeing and observing those other distempers among them, are really alienated from all the good they do profess; and not only 80, but do from thence justify and approve themselves in their im- morality and profaneness, as those which allow them a better condi- tion t…
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‘APOSTASY FROM EVANGELICAL WORSHIP. “Zin disciples. That watchfulness over one another with love, care, and _ tenderness, those mutual admonitions, exhortations, and consolations, which the gospel so frequently and diligently prescribes unto us, are not only neglected, but so far despised that the very naming of s…
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EE ee APOSTASY FROM EVANGELICAL WORSHIP. 219 der it a solemn and acceptable service, however they may contend for the conveniency of some circumstantial additionals. Wherefore I take it for granted at present, that the Lord Jesus Christ hath appointed such a solemn worship under the gospel, which all his dis- ciples …
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(2.) That we rest on the veracity of Ohrist for the working of the grace and accomplishment of the mercy represented in them and sacramentally exhibited by them; for they will not profit them by whom the promises of Christ, virtually contained in them and ac- companying of them, are not mixed with faith, and we cannot …
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This method are we guided unto by the apostle, who, having de- clared the apostasy and ruin which ensued thereon of the generality of the church of the Jews, improves the consideration of it unto the caution of others, under a present profession of the truth. “Thou wilt say then,” saith he to the Gentile believers, “T…
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1. The consideration of the extent and almost universality of this apostasy may be of use unto this purpose. Ignorance, profaneness, worldly-mindedness, with sensuality of life, have obtained the most eminent catholicism in Christendom. The complaint of the prophet is not unsuited to the present state thereof: Isa. i. …
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2. The present state of this defection hath a dangerous aspect. Physicians say, “Nemo moritur in declinatione morbi,’—* No man dies in the declension of his disease;” and when a public pestilen- tial distemper is in its wane or decay, the danger is esteemed in a great measure over. But whilst a disease is yet growing a…
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228 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY. from the gospel, but an end also. He will one day execute the vengeance that he hath written and recorded on the throne, power, and kingdom of the antichristian apostasy, and in one day shall the plagues of Babylon come upon her; and he will again “turn to the people a pure langu…
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5. Consider that there 1s an apostasy which is irrecoverable, and it will end in eternal ruin. This is that which we are taught in this context, according unto the exposition before given of it. No man in this world can be, by the rule of the gospel, in an unsalvable condition,—that is, be concluded under an unavoidabl…
1,178 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.