PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 8
John Owen · 329,108 words · 326 reading sections
Section 61
Now, this is a precedent of God's proceeding in all other engage- ments whatsoever. Whatever it cost him, he will spare nothing to make them good to the uttermost. He is our rock, and his work is perfect. A good man, if he want not power, will go through with his serious promises, though he be engaged to his own hurt, …
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116 A MEMORIAL OF THE DELIVERANCE loss of Llood: — all these, I say, and sundry other such-like things as these, are " the Lord's doing, and marvellous in our eyes." Especially let us remember how in three things the Lord made his bow quite naked in his late deliverance. (].) In leavening the counsels of the enemy i…
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(3.) In controlling mighty actions, — I mean, giving success to his 118 A MEMORIAL OF THE DELIVERANX'E people in all their undertakings. The commander-in-chief of all the forces in this kingdom, since his sitting do^vn before Colchester, was proffered a pass to go beyond the seas for his security. Whence is it that h…
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[1.] The places from whence this water marvellously issued Thev were rocks that, in all probability, never had spring from the creation of tae world. Farther, they are observed to be rocks of flint, Ps. cxiv 8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a foun- tain of waters: soDeut.viii.l5. A rock int…
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These, and the like observations, flowing from the typical relation of the blessing intimated, shall not farther be insisted on ; — one only I shall take from the historical truth. XXI. Observation. God sometimes bringeth plentiful deliverances and mercies for his people from beyond the ken of sense and reason; yea, f…
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124 A MEMORIAL OF THE DELIVERANCE they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint," Isa. xl. 28-31. (2.) To convince the unbelieving world itself of his power, providence, and love to them that put their trust in him, that they may be found to cry, " Verily there is a reward for the righteous; verily…
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The many passages of Providence, evidently working for your pre- servation, which I have received from some of yourselves, I willingly pass over. W^hat I have already said is sufficient to declare that to reason's eye you were as dead bones upon the earth. For our parts, who were endangered spectators at the best, we w…
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It is strange, tiiat the appendix to a sermon preached, as sonu> think, in the very consummation of licence and misrule, should be an earnest and able pleading for toleration, in a tone of calmness and moderation rare at any time in contro- versy, and especially rare in the controversies of that stormy age. The entire…
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Now, this shall not he as to the opposition which you do and shall yet farther meet withal ; but as to the causes, real or pretended, which are held forth as the bottom of that contradiction wherewith on every side you are encompassed. The things in reference whereunto your precedence is laden with such domina- tions …
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That which hence I shall observe is only from the variety of these particulars, Avhich are held out as the means of the intended desola- tion. Observation. God's treasures of ivrath against a sinful peoj)h have sundry and varioiis issues for the accomplishment of the ap- pointed end. When God walks contrary to a peop…
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Three things present themselves for the vindication of the equity of God's righteous judgments, in the recompensing the sins of the king upon the people. 1. The concurrence and influence of the people's power into their rule and government : — they that set him up may justly be called to answer for his miscarriage. Th…
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Observation. When false worship, with injustice by cruelty, have possessed the goveriioi's of a nation, and wrapped in the consent of the greatest part of the people who have been acquainted with the mind of God; that people and nation, without unprecedented mercy, is obnoxious to remediless ruin. Those two are the Be…
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(1.) In itself: " Every one (saith he) of this people doth curse me." (2.) In reference to his deportment : " I have neither borrowed nor lent on usury, yet they curse me." (1.) From the first, observe: — Obsei-vation. Instruments of God's greatest works and glory are oftentimes the chiefest objects of a professing …
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And the reasons of this quailing are, — (1.) The weakness of faith, when the methods of God's proceedings are unfathomable to our apprehensions. While men see the paths wherein the Lord walketh, they can follow him through some diffi- culties ; but when that is hid from them, though providence so shut up all other Ava…
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Fifthly, I come, in the fifth place, to God's direction to you for the future, in this state and condition ; which being spread in divers verses, as the Lord gives it to the prophet, I shall meddle with no more of it than is contained in the words which at our entrance I read unto you : " Let them return," &c. In the …
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Now, this revolting from principles of religion and righteousness, to a compliance with any sinful way or person, is a treacherous oppo- sition to the God of heaven. For, — It cannot be done but by preferring the creature before the Creator, especially in those things which are the proximate causes of deviation. Two …
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(2.) In actions, and those, — [1.] Of religion. Not only in opinion, but practice also, are we here under a vile return. We are become the lions, and the very same thoughts [are] entertained by us against others as were exercised to- wards ourselves. Are not others as unworthy to live upon their native soil in our jud…
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Be there a backsliding upon your spirit to these, or such-like things as these, the Lord will walk contrary to you ; and were you "as the signet upon his hand," he would pluck you off. (2.) Return not to the open enemies of our peace. I could here enlarge myself, to support your spirits in the work mentioned. Job xxix…
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One thing only would I commend to your consideration, — viz., that this Moses, thus preserved, thus delivered, thus protected, falling into one deviation, in one. thing, from close following the Lord, was taken off from enjoying the closure and frait of all his labour, Numb. xx. 12. Otherwise he folloAved the Lord in a…
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Use 2. " Be wise now therefore, O ye \_rulers;^ be instructed, ye judges of the earth; serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with tremb- ling," Ps. ii. 10, 11. See whence your assistance cometh; see where lie the hills of your salvation, and say, " Asshur shall not save us ; we will not ride upon horses ; neither will …
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I cannot now insist upon particular instances; consult the history of the church in all ages, — you shall find it continually upon all occa- sions verified. From the Israelites opposing Moses, to the Ephraim- ites' contest with Jephthah, the rejecting of Samuel, and so on, to the kings of the earth giving their power t…
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1st. That what he doth is just and righteous; for so must all acts of supreme and absolute dominion be. 2dly. That he can be author of nothing but what hath existence and being itself; for he works as the fountain of beings. This sin hath not. So that though every action, whether good or bad, receives its specificatio…
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BY DIVINE PROTECTIOX. 159. many things cross tlieir lusts, and exasperate them thereunto, — as EHjah, a man of a fiery zeal, for a lukewarm Ahab. \thly. Withholding from them that effectual grace by which alone that sin might be avoided, — a not actually keeping them from that sin by the might of his Spirit and grace…
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Now, what are the ends of this generation of fighters against this brasen wall? and how distant from those of the Lord's! " They con- sult to cast him down from his excellency" whom God will exalt, Ps. Ixii. 4. They think not as the Lord, neither doth their heart mean so; but it is in their heart to destroy and to cut …
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Use 8. See the infinite wisdom and sovereignty of Almighty God, that is able to bring light out of darkness, and to compass his own righteous judgments by the sinful advisings and undertakings of men. Indeed the Lord's sovereignty and dominion over the creature doth not in any thing more exalt itself, than in working i…
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licta puniri publico interest." Where punishment is the debt, " Bonum totius" is the creditor to exact it. And this is allowed as to the offences against the first table. If any of them in their own nature (not some men's apprehensions) are disturbances of public peace, they also are punishable. Only, let not this …
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If any shall say that blasphemy is of a larger extent and more general acceptation in the Scripture, I shall not deny it ; but ^^et that that kind of blasphemy which was punishable with violent death, was comprehensive of any inferior crime, I suppose cannot be proved. ' Thoni. 22ne. g. 13, a. 1, ad lum. OF TOLERA…
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8. The case of the seducer, from Deut. xiii., is urged with more show of reason than any of the others to the business in hand ; but yet the extreme discrepancies between theproofand the thing intended to be proved make any argumentation from this place, as to the matter in hand, very intricate, obscure, and difficult.…
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This being considered, the occasion of a most fre(]uent paralogism is removed. If errors must be tolerated, say some, then men may do Avhat they please, without control. No means, it seems, must be used OF TOLERATION. 1 71 to reclaim tliem. But is gospel conviction no means ? Hath the swortl of discipline no edge? Is…
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These things premised, I assert that, — Non-toleration, — in the latitude which is for persons in authority enjoying the tmth (or supposing they do enjoy it) to punish in an OF TOLERATION. 173 arbitrary way, according to what tliey sliall conceive to be condign, men who will not forsake their own convictions about a…
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OF TOLEllATION. 1 7-5 0." toioZtc! avnia^spcvTzi ■tto/Ckou: dva-micovdiv akXorptovoiJji'iii' %d/i rovrov xa/ 6vvitJ/J!yO(jiai xai suffrdffsic, kraifslai rs yiyvovTUi, ci'Xip i^Kiffra, fjt^ovap^la, ovfL- <pBpsi- — " Worship," saith he, " the divine power thyself according to the constitutions of thy country, everywhere…
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OF TOLERATION. 177 honesty, order, and the hke. If a man should go about to delineate the Christian religion by the lines and features drawn thereof in the invectives and accusations of their adversaries, he might justly sup- 230se that indeed that was their god which was set up at Rome with this inscription, " Deus C…
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The ancient contest between theHomoousians and the Arians, — the first controversy the churches were agitated withal afttn- they enjoyed OF TOLERATION. 1 79 a Christian magistrate (and may justly be supposed to be carried on to the advantage of error beyond all that went before it, because of the civil magistrates in…
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Let me add to this observation only this, that the attempt to sup- press any opinions whatsoever by force hath been for the most part fruitless. For either some few particular persons are proceeded against, or else greater multitudes; if some particulars only, the ai^hes of one hath always proved the seed of many opini…
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4. For the necessity of courses of extremity against erroneous per- sons, for the upholding " the faith once delivered to the saints/' and OF TOLERATION. 183 the keeping the churches in peace, it doth not appear to me to be so urgent as is pretended. For three hundred years the church had no assistance from any magi…
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Furthermore, by the ways which were invented, oft from the rule, for the extirpation of errors, when, by the instigation of prelates, the emperors were (to their o"wti ruin) persuaded to them, the man of sin OF TOLERATION. 185 walked to his throne. Those very laws, edicts, and declarations, which were obtained agains…
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OF TOLERATION. 18? yet a cliikl, was torn in pieces of the soldiers, all crying out, " that not a whelp was to be left of so cursed a stock." Decius, having reigned scarce two years, was slain with his children, Euseb., lib. vii. cap. 1. Valerian, being taken by Sapores king of Persia, was carried about in a cage, and…
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(8.) The truth being revealed to them, and their own hearts made acquainted therewith, after their personal engagements to the prac- tice of the power of godliness, according to the " revelation of God in the face of Jesus Christ," three things are incumbent on him in re- ference thereunto. [1.] That, according to the…
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Now, being in my family, in my j^rivate house, the assistance of those in authority is due, — - (1 .s^.) In respect of them without. {'2dhj.) In respect of them within. {1st.) For them without, if any one will, against my consent, in- trude himself upon my family enjoyments, to share with me, or vio- lently come to …
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V. Supportment and provision, as to earthly things, where regularly failing, is of him required. And in the neglect of any of these that takes place, which is threat- ened, Isa. Ix. 1 2, two or three consectaries, added hereunto, shall close this part of tlie magistrate's power, or rather duty, about the things of rel…
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Thus, in days of old, Constantino shut up Pagans' temples, Euseb. de Vita Constant., lib. iv. cap. 23, 24; and demolished some of the most filthy of them, lib. iii. cap. 52. Theodosius utterly cast them to the ground, though not without some blows and bloodshed, Socrat. Eccle.s. Hist., lib. v. cap. 16. The command of G…
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[4.] There are a sort of persons termed in Scripture araxroi, 1 Thess. V. 14; dyopaToi. Acts xvii. 5; cirorroi, 2 Thess. iii. 2; avyrroraTt.- roi, 1 Tim. i. 9, and the like, — disorderly, vagabond, wandering, in-e- gular persons, fixed to no calling, abiding in no place, taking no care of their families ; that, under a…
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2cll7/. That the persons holding the error are convinced, when per- haps they have been only confuted ; between which two there is a wide difference. He that holds the tnith may be confuted ; but a man cannot be convinced but by the truth. That a man shoidd be said to be convinced of a truth, and yet that truth not shi…
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Now, who must these be ? (\st) Are they the ministers of the gospel? — of all others, they are the most likely to be the most competent judges in spiritual causes. Let it be so ; but then, also, they must be the determiners and inflicters of the punishment upon default. Now, let them pour out upon obstinately eniug pe…
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'Sdly. Sundry other arguments, taken from the nature of faitli, heresy, liberty of conscience, the way of illumination, means of com- munication of truth, nature of spiritual things, pravitious tendence of the doctrine opposed, if it sliould be actually embraced by all enjoy- ing authority, and the like, I thought at p…
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What, I pray, will warrant him, then, to proceed? Will the laws against idolati;y and blasphemy, with their sanctions towards the per- sons of blasphemers and idolaters ? (For I must ingenuously confess, all that which, in my poor judgment, looks with any appearance of pressing towards Hasreticidium is the everlasting …
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If what is proposed be not satisfactory, I humbly offer to the hon- ourable Parliament, that a certain number of learned men, who are differently minded as to this business of toleration, which almost every where is spoken against, may be desired and required to a fair debate of the matter in difference before their ow…
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Hen, ScoiiELL, C/fi: Pari. TO THE COMMONS OF ENGLAND, IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED. Sirs, That God in whose hands your breath is, and whose are all j'our ways, having caused various seasons to pass over you, and in them all manifested that his works are truth and his ways judgment, calls earnestly by them for that walki…
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Having laid down this, in the next place he gives us a description of that faith of Abraham whereby he became inheritor of those ex- cellent things, from the adjuncts of it; — that as his justification was proposed as an example of God's dealing with us by his grace; so his faith might be laid down as a pattern for us …
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It is mere weakness of faith that makes a man lie poring on the difficulties and seeming impossibihties that lie upon the promise. We think it our wisdom and our strength to consider, weigh, and look into the bottom of oppositions and temptations that arise against the promise. Perhaps it may be the strength of our fle…
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1 cannot but observe, that this sighing, mournful complaint of Abraham, hath much infirmity, and something of diffidence mixed with it. He shakes in the very bottom of his soul, that improbabilities were growing up, as he thought, to impossibilities against him in the way of promise. Yet hence also mark these two thing…
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To stagger, then, at the promise, is to take into consideration the promise itself, and withal, all the difficidties that lie in the way for the accomplishment of it, as to a man's o^vn particular, and then so to dispute it in his thoughts, as not fidly to cast it off, nor fiilly to close with it. For instance, the sou…
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I come now to prove, that notwithstanding any pretences what- ever, all this staggering is from unbelief The two disciples, whom we now mentioned, that staggered and disputed between themselves in their journey to Emmaus, thovight they had a good reason, and a sufficient appearing cause of all their doubtings. " We ho…
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(1.) Is there truth in these promises? If there be the least occa- sion in the world to suspect the truth of the promises or the veracity of the promiser, then may our staggering at them arise from thence, and not from our own unbelief On this ground it is that all human faith, that is bottomed merely on the testimony …
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[8.] Another course whereby men confirm the truth of what they speak, is by entering into covenant to accomjjUsh what they have spoken. A covenant gives strength to the tnith of any engagement. When a man hath but told you he will do such and such things for you, you are full of doubts and fears that he may break with …
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When men come to close with the promise indeed, to make a life upon it, they are very ready to question and inquire whether it be possible that ever the word of it should be made good to them. He that sees a little boat swimming at sea, observes no great difficulty in it, looks upon it without any solicitousness of min…
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AND SINFULNESS OF STAGGERING. 227 his promises, are full of sincerity; so that none need fear to cast him- self on them : they shall be real unto him. Now, concerning this, observe, — [1.] That God' s promises are not declarative of his secret purposes and intentions. When God holds out to any a promise of the pardon…
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The causes of forgetfulness are, — [1.] Want of love. The things that men love not, they care not for: — the matters of their love are continually in their thoughts. Now, says God to Zion, Why sayest thou I have forgotten thee? Is it for want of love ? Alas ! the love of a most tender mother to her sucking child comes…
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I would willingly illustrate this demonstration with an instance, — that the almighty, all-conquering power that is in the promise, settling all staggering upon its own basis of unbelief, might be the more evident. I might here mention Abraham, with all the difiiculties and ap- pearing impossibilities which the promis…
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(3.) The visible opposition of the combined enemy in that nation seemed, as to our strength, unconquerable. The wise man tells us, " A threefold cord is not easily broken." Ireland had a fivefold cord to make strong bands for Zion, twisted together. Never, I think, did such different interests bear with one another for…
917 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.