PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 8
John Owen · 329,108 words · 326 reading sections
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lit X :b :r .^ Ti ^z' ©bcaloflical f cminavtu piUNCEToy. y. J. The Stephen Collins Donation. /' Owen, John, 1616-1683. The works of John Owen THE WORKS JOHN OWEN, D.D. EDITED BY THE REV. WILLIAM H. GOOLD, EDINBTJEGE. VOL. VIII. -Nmr YORK: ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS, 285 B ROADWAY. M.DCCC.LI. CONTENTS OF VO…
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SERMON X. god's work in founding zion, and his people's duty thereupon. Prefatory Note by the Editor ....••• 398 Epistle Dedicatory ....-••••• 399 Sermon.— " What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it."— IsA. xiv. 32 '^'^1 SE…
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VIII PREFACE, The other volume (vol. ix.) embraces all the Posthumous Sermons of our author, — viz., the " Seasonable Words for English Protes- tants," printed separately in 1690; the posthumous sermons pub- lished in 1721; others which issued from the press in 1756, and were prepared from the manuscripts of Sir John …
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X PREFACE. ascertaining the precise import of its statements, that he often sheds new and striking light on other passages besides the one which it may be the object of the sermon to explain and enforce. Singular tact is evinced in eliciting the general truths or principles raised for consideration by the text. While …
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In the " Delensative," or preface to the " Country Essay," etc., Owen assigns reasons on account of which he had not felt himself free to petition Barliament in leference to the establishment of an ecclesiastical i)olity for England. In the " Country Essay," etc., he condemns very strongly the infliction of civil penal…
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In verse 6, the planters of the gospel are " forbidden to preach the word in Asia"^ (that part of it jDeculiarly so called) ; and, verse 7, assaying to go with the same message into Bithynia, they are crossed by the Spirit in their attempts; but in my text are called to a place on which their thoughts were not at all f…
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Secondly, With reference to his humanity to be assumed ; as to Abraham, Gen. xviii. 1, 2; — to Joshua, chapter v. 13-15, &c. 2dly, Of angels ; as unto Peter, Acts xii. 7 ; — to the women, Matt. xxviii. 5 ; — to John, Rev. xxii. 8, &c. Sdly, Of men ;^ as in my text. Now, the several advancements of all these ways in …
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' Calvin, in locum. "Dicebat se discernere (nescio quo sapore, quem verbis ex- plicare non poterat) quid interesset inter Deum revelantem," &c.— Aug. Coiifes. ' Acts iii. 6. * Plutarch de Defect. Oracu. T(jv Ss o'ofi.oy 'TtfoXiviii kol) oho)i TfiXiv aC^i; iKicr^ai. Respons. Apoll. apud Euseb. Niceph. ' " A nullo dur…
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2. That this outward dispensation being presupposed, yet in effec- tual working iipon particular persons, there is no less variety ; for " he hath mercy on whom he "will have mercy.'' 3. Discover the rules of this whole administration. 1. For the first, The promise was at first made vmto Adam, and by him doubtless co…
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3. To open the third thing proposed, I shall show, — (1.) That all this variety is according to God's determinate purpose, and answer- eth thereunto ; (2.) The particular purposes from whence this variety proceedeth. (1.) Eph. i. 11, " He worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will." As a man may be sa…
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'' 2 Tiipss. ii. ; Acts iv. ■• " Libi ratur jtais lioniinum, parte perounte. Sod cur honini sit niisertus Deus — illoruin non iniserfus, (jujc scieutia coniprolu'iidero, quiv (lotest iiivcstigare sa- pientia ? Latct discrctiouis istius I'atio, sed non latet ipsa discrutio." — Prosp. de Vocat. (n-n., [lib i. c.ip. 1';.…
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' Matt. xi. 21; Acts xiii. 46. 8 Luke ii. 34; 1 Pet. ii. 7; Ezok. ii. 5; Matt. xxiv. 14; Rom. ix. 22, 2:^. ' Nch. iv. 17. * Zech. iv. 7. * Seal, de Emend. Temp. UNOHAl^GEABLE, FREE MERCY, 17 Now, difficulties arise from the following kings : — what their flattering counsellors, what the malignant nations about them…
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(1.) If there had been no difficulties, there had been no dehver- auces. And did we never find our hearts so enlarged towards God upon such advantages, as to say. Well, this day's temper of spirit was cheaply purchased by yesterday's anguish and fear; — that was but a being sick at sea? (2.) Had there been no tempests…
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8. That there is a right in the gospel, and a fitness in that gi'acious dispensation to be made known to all people in the world ; that no singular portion of the earth should bQ any longer a holy land, or any mountain of the world lift up its head above its fellows. And this right hath a double foundation. (1.) The i…
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If God send or grant the gospel, which is the means of grace, upon any other gi'ound but his mere good pleasure, then it must be an act of remunerative justice.^ Now, there is no such justice in God to- wards the creature, but what is founded upon some preceding cove- nant, or promise of God to the creature, — which is…
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[3.] Though men can do nothing towards the procuring of the gospel, yet men may do much for the expulsion of the gospel. If the husljandmen prove idle or self-seekers, the vineyard "vvill be let to others; and if the people love darkness more than light, the candlestick will be removed. Let England beware ! Now this me…
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> " liritannorum inaoccssa Romania Inoa, Christo vcro subdita." — Tertul. ' "Jji-itaniiiam inCluistiaiuiin conseiitire relif,noiieiii." — Urio^oii. llom.iv. in ICzck. ^ Niccpli., lil). ii. cap. 40. Kiiist. Eleuth. ad Lucimn, an. 169, apud Bar. * Anno 40'!) the Sa.xoiis etiti'i\'d. UNCHANGEABLE, FEEE MERCY. 27 had …
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' See Canterburian self-conviction. See Ld. Dee. Coll., &.c. UNCHANGEABLE, FEEE MEECY. 29 [2.] They were such, as raked up the ashes of the ancient worthies, whose spirits God stirred up to reform his church, and rendered them contemptible before all, especially those of England, the most whereof died in giving their…
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First, That we have received such a blessing, in setting at liberty the truths of the gospel, as is the croAvn of all other mercies, yea, without which they were not valuable, yea, were to be despised ; for success NAdthout the gospel is nothing but a prosperous conspu-acy against Jesus Christ. Secondly, That this mer…
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(1.) Take heed of pretending or holding out the gospel for a covert or shadow for other things. God will not have his gospel made a stalking-horse for carnal designs. Put not in that glorious name, where the thing itself is not clearly intended. If in any thing it be, let it have no compeer; if not, let it not be named…
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When Elisha^ was minded to do something for the Shunammite who had so kindly entertained him, he asks her whether he should speak for her to the king or the captain of the host. She replies, she dwelt in the midst of her own people, she needeth not those things ; but when he finds her to want a child, and tells her of …
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' .Tolm xiv. 6. 5 .\>.\\i\ i. S-ri; Eph. iv. 18; John xv. r>; Matt. vii. 2G, 27; IMatt. xvi. IS. ^ Vs. iv. G. UNCHANGEABLE, FEEE MERCY. 37 (3.) They want all the ordinances of God, — the joy of our hearts^ and comfort of our souls. Oh! the sweetness of a Sabbath! the heavenly raptures of prayer! — oh! the glorious …
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UNCHANGEABLE, FREE MERCY. 89 to save himself from the hunters; but the cat knew " unum mag- num," " one gi'eat thing" that would surely do it. Earthly supports and contentments are but a thousand failing wiles, which will all vanish in the time of need; the gospel, and Christ in the gospel, is that " unum magnum," tha…
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(1.) Of ministers, to cast off all by -respects, and to flee to those places where, in all probability, the hai-vest would be great, and the labourers are few or none at all I I have read of a heretic that SAvam over a great river in a frost to scatter his errors; the old Jewish, and now popish Pharisees, compass sea a…
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1 "Laudatur ab his, culpatur ab illis."— [Hor. Sat., lib. i. 2, 11.] 3 See August., Ep. 7, 28, 157, De Orig. Anim. 3 " Deferar in vicuiu vendentem thus et odores, Et pii)er, et quiequid charLis amicitur ineptis."— [Hor. Epist., lib. ii. l.J " Oocidit raiseros crambe repetita magistros." — [Juv.l " Semper ego auditor t…
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PREFACE. 45 and gorgeous apparel, as if we sent them into the world a-wooing. Hence, what- ever it is, it must be temple building, — God's government, — Christ's sceptre, throne, kingdom, — the only way, that for want of which, errors, heresies, sins, spring among us, plagues, judgments, punishments come upon us. To s…
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4. A particular form of church discipline is usually, in such petitions, either directly expressed or evidently pointed at and directed unto, as that alone which our covenant engageth us to embrace ; yea, as though it had long since designed that particular way, and distinguished it from all others, the embracing of it…
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1 Attsxxiv. 14, xxviii. 22. — "Hairesis Christianorum." Tertul., — "Secta Christ." Id., "Hteresis catholica, et ha'resis sanctissiina," Constant. Epist. Chr. Syri.ac. Tileni Syntagma, — quo probare fonatur Calvinianos esse hajreticos, Hun. Cah-. Tur. Andrews. Epist. ad Molin. 48 PREFACE. though my second thoughts ha…
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Neither would we have any expect our full sense to each particular imaginable in this business, — it being only a heap of materials, most- what unhewed, that we intend, and not a well-compacted fabric ; — and if the main be not condemned, we are confident no difference will ensue aljout particulars, which must have the…
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5. Let the ministers engage themselves in a special manner to watch over this flock, every one according to his abilities, both in teaching, exhorting, and ruling, so often as occasion shall be admini- stered, for things that contain ecclesiastical rule and church order; acting jointly and as in a classical combination…
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Now for the other head of the accusatipn, about toleration of errors, " philosophare volo, sed paucis." Something I shall add of my own present judgment in this matter; but with willing, express submission unto those whom the use and experience of things, with knowledge of foreign parts, skill in the rules of commonwea…
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' The Circumcelliones, from which this epithet is derived, were fanatics in North Africa, who, in the course of tiio fourth century, prowled around the huts (cir- cum cellas) of the peasantry, despising labour, and subsisting on alms. They were much under the influence of the Donatists, and often, by their rash demolit…
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Now, all these things, and many more that might be added, must clearly be distinguished and determined by him that would handle his matter at large and exactly, that we may know what he means by those ambig-uous words, and in what acceptation he owns them. Until this be done, a man may profess to oppose both toleration…
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4. No pretences whatsoever, nor seeming colour, should coun- tenance men dissenting from what is established, to revile, traduce, deride, or otherwise expose to \ailgar contempt, by words or actions, the way owned by authority (if not evidently fallen off from Jehovah to Baal), or fasten bitter, uncharitable appellatio…
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' " Hie prorsus non intelligo Sanctum Spiritum in hoc concilio: hi omnes articuli fsenuni, stramen, ligna, stipulae fuerunt." — Luth. * " In optimis illis teniporibus, eafuit nonnullorum ejiiscoporum, partim ambitio, partim fiitilitas et ignoraiitia," &c. — Beza, prsefat. ad Nov. Testa. ' " Ego, si vera scribere opor…
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Now, I am mistaken if this principle, that the civil magistrate ought to condemn, suppress, and persecute every one that he is con- vinced to err, though in smaller things, do not at length, in things of gi-eater importance, make Christendom a very theatre of bloody murders, killing, slaying, imprisoning men round in a…
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Albigenses, Waldenses, Bohemians. VOL. VIIL . 66 • A COUNTRY ESSAY tests that the pope had with others, the truth was on his side (as in the business of Atlianasius and others in the east deposed by the Ai'ians^). Now, who would not have thought, that his standing up with all earnestness for the truth would not have …
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• *' Ego nisi tumuUiis istos viderem, verbum Dei in nnindo non esse diceieni. Prajeligimus teniporaii tuniultii collidi, quam letenio tumultu sub iia Dei conteri." — Luth. de Ser. Aib. cap. xxxii-xxxiv. 68 A COUNTRY ESSAY die be cast, and avc must forward, let iis take along with iis these two cautions: — (1.) So to…
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Objection has been taken by Mr Ornie to tlie warlike tone of the preacher in some parts of the discourse. 'Jhere is certainly but slight reference to the evils and horrors of war. Regret might have been expressed that no course was open to the nation in the pending qtiarrel with its king, but the stern arbitration of t…
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The war being divided, and it being impossible your excellency should be in every place of danger, according to your desire, the Lord was pleased to call you out personally unto two of the most hazardous, dangerous, and difficult under- takings ;' where, besides the travel, labour, watching, heat and cold, by day and n…
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Sins, Your most humble and obliged Servant In the work of the Loi'd, John Owen. COGGESHALI., Oct. 5, 16-18. SERMON 11. A MEMORIAL OF THE DELIVERANCE OF ESSEX COUNTY, AND COMMITTEE. " A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid : O Lord, revive thy work in th…
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' " Precos ot hvcrvnifo sunt anna ecclL'sia3." — 'I'oitul. OF ESSEX COUNTY, AND COMMITTEE. 79 2. That it is " upon Shigionoth," a little may be spoken. The word is once in another place (and no more) used, in the title of a song, and that is Ps. vii., " Shiggaion of David;" and it is variously rendered. It seems to b…
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2. To keep them in continual'^ dependence vpon himself. He ' " Namque bonos non blanda inflant, non aspcra frangunt, Sed fidei iiivictsD gaudia vera juvant." I'rosp. Epig. in Sent. August. » Ps. oxix. 67 ; IIos. v. 15 ; Heb. xii. 10, II; 1 IVt. i. 0'. 3 " In cajlo non in terra nicrcedeni proniisit reddendam. Quid al…
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(2.) The cause of this fear and trembling ; — he " heard the speech of God." If you will ask what speech or report this was that made the prophet himself so exceedingly quake and tremble, I answer, it is particularly that which you have, chap. i. 5-11, — containing a dread- ful denunciation of the judgments of God agai…
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VI. Observation. The church's mercies and deliverance have their appointed season. In the midst of the years it shall be accomplished. As there is a decree bringing forth the wicked's destruction, Zeph. ii. 1, 2 ; so there is a decree goes forth in its appointed season for the church's deliver- ance, which cannot be g…
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But proceed we with the prophet's prayer. From verse 3 to 1 7, he layeth doAvn several arguments, taken from the majesty, power, providence, and former works of God, for the supporting of his faith to the obtaining of those good things and works of mercy which lie was now praying for. We shall look on them, as they li…
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88 A MEMORIAL OF THE DELIVERANCE of tliis experience? — " In whom we trust that he will yet deliver us," 2 Cor. i. 10. It was a particular mercy with its circumstances, as you may see verse 9, which he made the bottom of his dependence. In the favours of men Ave cannot do so; they may be weary of helping, or be drawer…
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VIII. Observation. When God is doing great things, he gives glorious manifestations of his excellencies to his secret ones. The appearance on Sinai goes before his passage into Canaan: " Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets," Amos iiL 7. When he is to send Mos…
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92 A MEMORIAL OF THE DELIVERANCE ground ; yet man is bom to trouble, as the sons of the burning coal lift up in flying/' Job v. 6, 7. When God intends the total destruc- tion of a people, he commonly weakens them by some previous judgments. Let the truth of this be found upon them that hate us, and the interpretation …
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Two things are here considerable: — 1. The Lord's exact foreview of the promised land: " He stood, and measured the earth, and beheld the nations." 2. His operation at that time : " He drove asunder the nations," &c. 1. "He stood and measured:" The prophet here representeth the Lord on the frontier of Canaan, as one…
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(1.) As to privileges and liberties of this life. Their liberties and estates are not as other men's, but more exactly measured for their good, and sanctified to them in the blood of Christ. If in these things God hath called you to the defence and protection of his, he mil expect a real account. You had better give aw…
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XII. Observation. TJie works and labours of God's people are transacted for them in heaven, before they once tmdertahe them. The Israelites were now going to Canaan : God doth their work for them beforehand ; they did but go up and take possession. Joshua and Caleb tell the people, not only that their enemies' defence…
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(2.) " The curtains of the land of Midian," for the Midianites dwelling in curtained tabernacles, by the same figure as before. They trembled, — J-lins "moved themselves, were moved;" that is, shaken with fear and trembling, as though they were ready to run from the appearance of the mighty God with his people. The sto…
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(2.) In their comforts and 7-efreshments : " Thou gavest leviathan to be meat to the people in the wilderness," Ps. Ixxiv. 14. They fed their souls full of the sweetness of that mercy, the destruction of their oppressing tyrant; we chew the cud upon the blessings of former ages. Who hath not, with joy, delight, and rai…
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OF ESSEX COUNTY, AND COMMITTEE. lOo of hosts is witli us ; tlie God of Jacob is our refuge. Selali. Come, behold the works of the Lord, Avhat desolations he hath made in the earth," Ps. xlvi. 6—8. The enemies' undertaking, verse 6, — God's pro- tection to his people, verse 7, — a view of the adversaries' desolation, v…
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5. That they were also invited to it, though by persons somewhat inconsiderable, with promises of a fidl party of friends to assist them, which they might liave had, and a rich booty from their enemies to suj^port them, which they might have found, is too apparent. Now, being thus advantaged, thus encouraged, thus pro…
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Use. Learn not to be troubled at the great tumultnating which is amongst many against the ways of God at this day. God is mea- suring out his children's portion, giving tliem their bread in season, viewing for them the lot of their inheritance. Men of the %vorld, profane Cushanites, superstitious, apostatical Midianite…
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2. The sea: — that is, the Red sea, which, in like manner, was divided, Exod. xiv. 21 ; which the prophet also admires in the fore-cited psalm: " The sea saw it, and fled. What ailed thee, 0 thou sea, that thou fleddest?" What strong, mighty impression of power was on thee, that the multitudes of thy waters should be p…
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XVIII. Observation. Ko creatures, seas nor floods, greater or lesser ivaters, shall be able to obstruct or hinder God's people's deli- verance, when he hath undertaken it. Is the sea against them? it shall be parted. Is Jordan in the way? it shall be driven back. Both sea and Jordan shall tremble before him. Euphrates…
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Verse 9. " Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave tlie earth with rivers." " With nakedness thy bow was made naked." The rest is elliptical, and well supplied in the translation. The verse hath two parts. 1. A general proposition: " Thy bow was mad…
939 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.