PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 8
John Owen · 329,108 words · 326 reading sections
Section 121
(1.) First, The power of religion hath totally been devoured by that lean, hungry, never-to-be-satisfied beast of carnal pohcy; — no signs left that it was ever in their bosoms. Conformity unto Christ in gospel graces is looked on as a mean, contemptible thing. Some of them have fallen to downright atheism, — most of t…
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236 TUE STEADFASTNESS OF THE PROMISES, Give me leave to add a few motives to this duty. (1.) TJiey want it. No want like theirs who waut the gospel. I would there were for the present one gospel preacher for every walled town in the English possession in Ireland. The land moumeth, and the people perish for want of kn…
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238 THE STEADFASTNESS OF THE PKOSHSES, drawing itself, that makes a dark and gloomy day; but the inter- position of clouds and vaporous exhalations. Neither is thy soul beyond the reach of the promise, nor doth God withdraw himself; but the vapours of thy carnal, unbelieving heart do cloud thee. It is said of one plac…
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240 THE STEADFASTNESS OF THE PROMISES, "wliicli lies heavy on him. The Hke may be said of all promised mercies and deliverances whatsoever. That this is a provocation, the Lord hath abundantly testified, inasmuch as for it he hath oftentimes snatched sweet morsels from the mouths of men, and turned aside the stream of…
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Oh, that by these and the like ways we might manifest our self- condemnation and abhorrency for all that distrust and staggering at the word of God, which arising from unbelief, hath had such deplor- able issues upon all our counsels and undertakings! VOL. VIIL 16 SERMON V. OTPANHN OXPANIA: THK SHAKING AND TRANSLA…
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As a duty it is by the apostle here considered; and therefore pressed on them who by nature were capable, and by grace enabled, for the perfonnance thereof. Pathetical exhortations, then, unto per- severance in the profession of the gospel, bottomed on prevalent scriptural arguments and holy reasonings, are the sum of …
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[1.] His goodness and love, and that in his great undertaking to be a Saviour; being "made like unto his brethren in all things, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest . in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people," chap. ii. 1 7. And of this there is a sweet and choice …
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<>:V'> THE SHAKING AND TRANSLATING was done at the giving of the law ; as is clearly intimated in the in- ference : " Then he shook the earth, bnt now the heavens also." It is a gradation to a higher demonstration of the power of Christ ; which that the things of this interpretation are is not apparent. [3.] It is m…
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That the earth, in prophetical descriptions or predictions of things, is frequently, yea, almost always, taken for the people and multi- tudes of the earth, needs not much proving.^ One or two instances shall suffice. Rev. xii. 16, "The earth helped the woman" against the flood of the dragon ; which that it was the mul…
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Add lastly hereunto, that the promises of the restoration of God's people into a glorious condition after all their sufferings, is perpetu- ally, in the Scripture, held out under the same terms, and you have a plentiful demonstration of this point. Isa. Ixv. 17, 18, " Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth : and …
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Now, this is evident from that full prediction which 3-ou have of the accomplishment hereof, Rev. xvii. 12, the kingdoms of the west " receive power one hour with the beast." Verse 13, in their consti- tution and government at first received, " they give their power to the beast," and figlit against the Lamb. Verse 1-1…
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For the personal reign of tlie Lord Jesus on earth, I |eave it to them with whose discoveries I am not, and curiosities I would not be, acquainted. Acts iii. 21. But as for such who from hence do, or for sinister ends pretend to fancy to themselves a terrene kingly state unto each ^private par- ticular saint, — so mak…
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8. It is clearly evident, from these and other places in that pro- phecy, that He who is the only potentate will sooner or later shake all the monarchies of the earth, where he will have his name known, that all nations may be suited to the interest of his kingdom ; which alone is to endm'e. Isa. Ix. in many places, i…
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The kings of the earth have given their power to Antichrist, en- deavouring to the utmost to keep the kingdom of Christ out of the world. What, I pray, hath been their main business for seven hun- dred years and upwards, — even almost ever since the man of sin was enthroned? How have they earned the titles. Eldest Son …
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There have been two most famous and remarkable changes of the government of these nations ; and into both of them what an influence the pope had, is easily discernible. The first was between the years 400 and 500 after Christ, when the Roman empire of the west — that which -withheld the man of sin from acting his part…
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Facta caput imiiido, (|iiici]iiid iion |>ossitlet ariiiis, Relligiono tonct." — rrosp., cle In;4rat. < John X. IC; Isa. xxxvii. 31; Jcm-. xxx. 0; Ezi-k. xxxiv. 23. xxxvii. 21, 2."; lies. iii. 5; Amos ix. II. OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. 267 Is^, Real: the great river Euphrates, the strength and fuhiess of Avhose streams doth…
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(4.) A fourth reason is, that His own people, seeing all earthly things shaken and removing, may be raised up to the laying hold of that diirable kingdom that shall not be removed.^ All carnal inte- rests will doubtless be shaken with that of Babylon. Many of God's people are not yet weaned from the things that are see…
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(1.) It puts him upon earnest supplications for the accomplishment of their promised deliverance in the appointed season; — wide from that atheistical frame of spirit which Avould have a predetermination of events and successes to eradicate all care and endeavour to sci-\'e that Providence which Avill produce their acc…
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^dly. Swf id follies. Toil and labour in vain is, of all follies, the greatest folly; — like the Jews under Julian, building of their temple in the day, God casting it to tlic ground in the night. When a man labours, toils, wearies and spends himself for the accomplishing of that which shall never come to pass, and tha…
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(2dli/.) The previous works he doth. How many of these doth our Saviour give as signs of the destruction of Jerusalem, — and so, consequently, of propagating the gospel more and more to the nations ! Matt. xxiv. ; Luke xxi. How fearful and dreadfiil they Avere in their accomplishment, Josephus the Jewish historian rela…
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And thus, without leading you about by chronologies and compu- tations (which yet have their use, well to count a number being wis- dom indeed), I have a little discovered unto you some rules whereby you may come to be acquainted with the work of God in the days wherein we live, and also what that work is; which is our…
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[2.] Be encouraged under all those perplexities and troubles which you are or may be wrapped in. Lift up the hands that hang down, and let the feeble knees be strengthened : " It is but yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry." The more you are for Christ, the more enemies you shall be …
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TO HIS EXCELLENCY, THE LORD GENERAL CROMWELL, &c. My Lord, It was with thoughts of peace that I emhraced my call to this place in time of war. As all peace that is from God is precious to my spirit, so incomparably that between the Father and his elect, which is established and carried on in the blood and grace of Je…
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Now, this whole promise is once again strengthened, without loss of life or beauty, and comprised in the words of the text. That which before he termed " sacrifice and burnt-offerings," here he calleth 28G THE BKAXCH OF THE LOUD "prayer;" and those who before were "the sons of the stranger," are here " all peojile," …
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3. The architects or builders are of two sorts. (1.) Principal: "The Spirit;" — we are "framed for an habitation of God by the Spirit;" he is the principal workman in this fabric, — without him is not one stone laid therein. (2.) Secondary and instrumental: " The apostles and prophets." And this they were two ways. …
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It hath the beauty and glory of justification, which doth not only take away all filthy garments, causing iniquity to pass away, but also gives fair " change of raiment," Zech. iii. 4, 5, even the " garments of salvation," and the "robe of righteousness," Isa. Ixi. 10. And then it hath the glory and beauty of sanctific…
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(2.) Jesus Christ stands in a twofold relation unto this house: — [1.] In respect of its fabric and building; [2.] In respect of its state and condition. [1.] In the first regard, Christ relates to this house in a fourfold respect; — as, Isf. Its foundation; 2dl>/. Its ark; odly. Its altar; 4it1dy. Its candlestick. I…
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THE BEAUTY OF ZIOX. 293 tins building, and to tliinlc, How shall the house be preserved if these should be removed ? — they looked unto me like the mariners in Paul's ship, without whose abode therein they could not be saved, — when, lo! suddenly some have been manifested to be pargeted posts, and the very best to be …
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Sdly. He is the altar of this house. There were two altars in the old tabernacle and temple, — an altar for sacrifice and an altar for incense, Exod. xxvii. and xxx. The first was the great brazen altar that stood without the holy place, whereon tlie burnt -offerings and all sacrifices of blood for remission were offer…
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(2dli/.) By way of real communication. He is " the true Light, which lighteth every man," John i. 9. Every one that hath any spiritual light really communicated to him hath it from Christ. It is part of his work to " recover sight to the Ijlind," Luke iv. 18. And there- fore he adviseth the church of Laodicea to come t…
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(Sdly.) Unto jmrchase he must also add conquest. An unju.?t usurper had taken possession of this house, and kept it m bondage; — Satan had seized on it, and brought it, through the wrath of God, under his power. He, then, must be conquered, that the Lord Christ may have complete possession of his own house. " For this …
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Now this house receives a twofold building: — {1st.) Sjnritucd, of all the stones thereof into one mystical house. Of this I chiefly treat. {idly?) Ecclesiastical, of some particular stones into several taber- nacles,— which are useful partitions in the great mystical house, — called assemblies and dwelling-places of m…
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The vanity of men, attempting to mix their power and wisdom in the heaping up tabernacles for Christ, might be hence discovered ; but I forbear. 2>dhj. Jesus Christ is the gi'eat watchman, or keeper of this house. There are, indeed, other watchmen, and that of God's own appoint- ment, for the use of this house: "Son o…
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4<thly. Christ is the indweller of this house. He hath not built it sca& framed it for no use. It is for a habitation for himself He hath chosen Zion ; he hath desired it for his habitation. " This is my rest," saith he; " here will I dwell," Ps. cxxxii. 13, 14. Tliis house is built up to be an habitation unto him, Eph…
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Observation 1. The intimacy of the Lord Jesus with his saints, and the delight he takes in them. He dwelleth with them, he dwelleth in them, — he takes them to the nearest union with himself possible: he in them, they in him, that they may be one. He hath made many an admirable change Avith us. He took our sin, and giv…
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(2.) He will depart as to the efficacy of his working in thee, and leave thee so weak that thou shalt not be able to walk with God. His Spuit is " a Spirit of grace and supplications." He will so with- draw it that thou shalt find thy heart in a poor condition, as to those things. To be cold in prayer, dead in hearing,…
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THE BEAUTY OF ZION. 309 couch down until he eat and drink the blood of the slain. But sui3- pose great opposition be made unto him,— will he not give over? Not at all. He will be as a lion that cometh upon his prey, if a multi- tude of shepherds be called forth against him, he will not be afraid at their voice, nor ab…
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The more beauty and desirableness any desig'n against the Lord Christ is clothed withal, the more power and subtlety it is supported with, the greater is the bright- ness of his coming for its wasting and desolation. With what deceivableness of unrighteousness and lies in hypocrisy the late grand attempt of those in Sc…
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816 THE ADVANTAGE OF bewailed the folly of their fathers in persecuting the prophets, when themselves were endeavoimng to kill the Son of God, Matt, xxiii. 29, 30. To bring, then, upon the spirits of men a conviction of the works of God, and his righteousness therein, so as to prevail with them to rest in his determin…
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The setting up, then, of this kingdom of Christ, who is "the highest branch of the high cedar," and planting it in the church, the " moun- tain of Israel," with the prosperity thereof, and safety of him that shall dwell therein, is the subject of verses 22, 23. This being that to the consideration whereof God here call…
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(2.) The tree that is to be exalted and made to flourish, and that is the "low tree," the "dry tree," contemptible for gi-owth; — it is low, useless for fruit, it is dry. And this is the spiritual kingdom of the Messiah, contemned, despised. This, says God, I Avill exalt, carry on, and make glorious; for though the int…
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There are three principal seasons of the Lord's eminent appearance to carry on the kingdom of Christ and the gospel, and all attended with dreadful providential alterations: and unto one of these heads may all particular actings be reduced. 1. The first is, the promulgation of the gospel among the Jews by the Lord Chr…
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(2.) The works that God hath to do in such a season require it. God hath three great works to do, in the day of his carrying on the interest of Christ and the gospel: — [1.] He hath great revenges to take; [2.] He hath great deliverances to work; [3.] He hath great discoveries to make. I shall but touch on each. [1.] …
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Use 2. To magnify the goodness of God, who unto us hath sweet- ened and seasoned all his dreadful dispensations, and all the altera- tions in those nations, with this his p-racious desim iTinning throuo-h them all: this is that which puts all their beauty and lustre on them, being outwardly dreadful and horrible. The c…
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Come we to the second observation. II. The actings of God's providence, in carrying on the interest of Christ, are and shall he exxeedingly unsuited to the reasonings and expectations of the most of men. He hath a glorious work here to be accomplished. Of whom should he nov/make use? Surely the "high tree," the "gree…
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THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST. 329 suited to tlie wisdom of a man, and his rule be spiritual, meek, and gentle), cast off and thrown away: — low trees, dry trees, despised ones, contemned ones, without form or comeliness, exalted, used, em- ployed, and the hand of the Lord evidently lifted up in all these transactions. Some …
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3. God wdl do it for the hardening of many false, empty professors and others in the world, that the judgments appointed may come ujion them to the uttermost.^ Tlio hardening of men to their de- ' Judges vii. 4. » Rom. ix. 18; Deut. ii. .30; Ps. lxx.\i. 12, l.\i.\. 22; Josh. xi. 20; Isa. vi. 9-12; John xii. 40-43; De…
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I shall not say to our brethren that they have showed this day, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had been slain, it would have been well-pleasing to them; but this I shall sjiy, that it is a sad sign that our ways jjlease not God, Avhon his ways please not us at all. There being not space for handling the two rem…
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ijthly. A most glorious and dreadfxd breaking of all that rise in opposition unto him, Isa. Ix. 12, — never such desolations, Rev. xvi. 17-19. Now, in order to the bringing in of this his rule and kingdom, with its attendances, the Lord Christ goes fcjrth, in the first place, to cast down the things that stand in his …
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[2.] The second design of Providence in these dispensations, is evidently to stain the glory of all flesh; so Isa. xxiii. 9. Never did the Lord any work more eminently. What sort of men is there amongst us whose glory God hath not staineil ? I had rather leave this unto a silent thought, than give you particular instan…
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[2.] You that do enjoy holy ordinances, labour to have holy hearts answerable thereunto. You have heavenly institutions, labour to have heavenly conversations. If we be like the world in our walking, it is no great matter if we be like the world in our worship. It is sad, walking contrary to God in his own paths. Show …
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SERMON YIIL THE LABOURING SAINT'S DISMISSION TO REST; A SERMON PREACHED AT THE FUNERAL OF THE RIGHT HON. HENRY IRETON, LORD-DEPUTY OF IRELAND. PREFATORY NOTE. Tnis sermon on the death of Ireton, thougli printed, as we are told in the dedi- cation, from the first notes which the author took, contains some beautifu…
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344 THE EPISTLE DEDICATOllY. midst of all your temptations and oppositions wherewith j'our pilgrimage will be attended, you may be carried on and established in your inward subjection unto, and outward contending for, the kingdom of the Dearly Beloved of our souls, not fainting or waxing weary until you receive your d…
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DISMISSION TO REST. 347 [2.] For the latter, this is observable, that all his visions still close with some eminent exaltation of the kingdom of Christ ; — that is the centre where all the lines of his visions do meet, as is to be seen in the close almost of every chapter ; and this was the great intendment of the Spi…
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[2.] Such acquaintance with the seasons of providence as to kuow ' Tiie Hebrew word translated " wisdom" stands alone in the text, without "man;" n^'.i'in, derived from n-i-^or c-;; Sanscrit, as; Pers., ess; Latin, eese, tsscntia, opes, — substance. See Fiirst's Concordance Ed. DISMISSION TO REST. 349 the duty of th…
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(2.) Love to his people. This was the second qualification wherein Daniel was so eminent. And our deceased friend — not to enter into comparison with them that went before — had clearly such a propor- tion as we may heartily desire that those who follow after may drink but equal draughts of the same cup. That his pains…
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Observation II. God oftentimes suffers not his choicest semants to see the issue and accomplishment of those glorious things wherein themselves have been most emiinently engaged. III. The third thing (that we may make haste) is his state and condition during the time which he lies under this dismission, in these words…
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2. God doth it, that he may be the more eminently seen in the cairying on his own works, which in their season he commits to them. Should he leave his work always on one hand, it would seem at length to be the work of the instrument only. Though the people opposed Moses at the first, yet it is thought they would have w…
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Use 2. All men have but their seasons in any ivork; only God abideth in it for ever: in every undertaking let your eye still be on him, with whom is the fulness and the residue of the Spirit. Jere- miah's gi-eat bewailing of Josiah's death was doubtless made upon the account of his discerning that none would come after…
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Use 1. You that are engaged in the work of God, seek for a reward of your service in the service itself. Few of you may live to see that beauty and glory which perhaps you aim at as the end of all your great undertakings for God whereunto you have been engaged. God will proceed at his own. pace, and calls on us to go a…
992 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.