AND GROW IN GRACE. 461
cure a leprosy ; but tlie life of faith is a mystery known only unto them in wliom it is.
2. It \vill fix the soul unto that object which is suited to give it delight, complacency, and satisfaction. This in perfection is blessed- ness, for it is caused by the eternal vision of the gloiy of God in Christ ; and the nearer approaches we make unto this state, the better, the more spiritual, the more heavenly, is the state of our souls. And this is to be obtained only by a constant contemplation of the glory of Christ, as hath been declared. And it is several ways effectual unto the end now proposed. For, —
1. The most of our spiritual decays and barrenness arise from an inordinate admission of other things into our minds; for these are they that weaken grace in all its operations. But when the mind is filled with thoughts of Christ and his glory, when the soul thereon cleaves unto him with intense affections, they will cast out, or not give admittance unto, those causes of spiritual weakness and indispo- sition. See Col. iii. 1-5 ; Eph. v. 8.
2. Where we are engaged in this duty, it will stir up every grace unto its due exercise ; which is that wherein the spiritual revival in- quired after doth consist. This is all we desire, all we long for, this will make us fat and flourishing, — namely, that every grace of the Spirit have its due exercise in us. See Rom. v. 3-5 ; 2 Pet. i. 5-8. Whereas, therefore, Christ himself is the first proper, adequate object of all ga^ace, and all its exercise (for it first respects him, and then other things for him), when the mind is fixed on him and his glory, every grace will be in a readiness for its due exercise. And without this we shall never attain it by any resolutions or endeavours of our own, let us make the trial when we please.
3. This will assuredly put us on a vigilant watch and constant con- flict against all the deceitful workings of sin, against all the entrances of temptation, against all the ways and means of surprisals into foolish frames, by vain imaginations, which are the causes of our decays. Our recovery or revival will not be effected, nor a fresh spring of gi'ace be obtained, in a careless, slothful course of profession. Constant watch- uio- fiq-htinsj, contendincj against sin, mth our utmost endeavour for an absolute conquest over it, are required hereunto. And nothing- will so much excite and encouraofe our souls hereunto as a constant
O
view of Christ and his glory ; every thing in him hath a constraining power hereunto, as is known to all who have any acquaintance with these thinffs.
END OF PART II.
TWO
SHORT CATECHISMS
WIIEREIV THE
PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST
UNFOLDED AND EXPLAINED.
PROPER FOR ALL PERSONS TO LEARN
BEFORE THEY BE ADMITTED TO THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER; AND
COMPOSED FOR THE USE OF ALL CONGREGATIONS IN GENERAL.
' Come, ye chUdrcn, hearken unto me ; I will teach you the fear of the Lord," P9. xxxiv. 11.
PREFATORY NOTE.
The first edition of these Catechisms issued from the press in 1645. Dr Owen had at that time the charge of the parish of Fordham in Essex, and laboured dili- gently for the instruction and benefit of his flock, by catechising from liouse to house. The Catechisms were prepared in order that he might accomplish these parochial duties with greater efficiency and success. " Tlie Lesser Catechism" is designed for the instruction of children; — " The Greater," for the examination of persons more advanced in years. They are chiefly doctrinal. It was the inten- tion of Owen to have followed up this little work by another Catechism on the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and some articles of the Creed. This intention, however, was never fulfilled. These Catechisms on " the Princii)les of the Doctrine of Christ" are included in this volume, — which embodies all the treatises of Owen directly relating to the Second Person of the Tiinity, — inasmuch as, according to a statement of the author in the preface, they were intended to remind his people of wiiat he had publicly taught them, " especially concerning the person and offices of Christ." They were among the first, as the other treatises in tliis volume are among the last, of our author's publications; and we are thus enabled to mark the undeviating consistency with which, duiing all the ministra- tions of his public course, Owen held fast by the great doctrines of the Gospel, — " the unsearchable riches of Christ."- — Ed.
TO
MY LOVING NEIGHBOUKS AND CHRISTIAN FEIENDS.
Brethren, My heart's desire and request, unto God for yoii is, that you may be saved. I say the truth in Christ also, I He not, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that 1 have great heaviness, and continual sorrow in my heart, for them amongst you who, as yet, walk disorderly, and not as beseem eth the Gospel, Uttle labouring to acquaint themselves with the mystery of godliness ; for many walk, of whom I have told you often weeping, and now tell you again with sorrow, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, who mind earthly things.