Chap. V. — Some observations and inferences from discourses foregoing concerning the Spirit — The contempt of the whole administration of the Spirit by some — The vain pretence of the Spirit by othei'S — The false spirit discovered . . 254
Chap. VI. — Of particiilar communion with the Holy Ghost^Of preparation thereunto — Valuation of the benefits wc receive by him — What it is he comforts us in and against; wherewith; how ........ 259
Chap. VII. — The general ways of the saints' acting in communion with the Holy Ghost ........... 204
Ciiap. VIII. — Particular directions for communion with t!ie Holy Ghost . . 208
A VIIsDTCATWN OF SO.ME PASSAGES IN A DISCOURSE CONCERNING COMMUNION WITH GOD.
Pkefatory Note by the Editoh .,...,. 27(5
A Vinxiication of some Passages, &c. ....... 277
A BRIEF DECLARATION AND VINDICATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY.
Prefatohy Note by the Ei)rrou
To the Reader ......
Preface .......
The Doctrine of the Holy Trinity explained and vindicated Of the Person of Christ ....
Of the Satisfaction of Christ ....
Appendix .......
306
3;;7
371
377
■\\:\
119
411
COMMU^^ION
WITH
GOD THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST,
EACH PERSON DISTINCTLY,
IN LOVE, GEACE, AND CONSOLATION;
THE SAINTS' FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST UNFOLDED.
*' God is love/*— 1 John iv. C.
" Tell me, O ihou whom my soul loveth, \\bero thou feedest."— Cant, i. 7. " Al:ike haste, my beloved.*'— Cant. viii. 14.
** Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are scaled unto the day of pedeniption.** — Eph. Iv. 30. " :\o\v there are diversit'es of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there nre dlffVrenccs of administrations, but the same Lord, And there are diversities of ni^cratJons, but it is the same Ciod." — 1 Coh. x'u. 4-Q,
VOL. II.
PREFATORY NOTE.
TnE reader may be referred to the Life of Dr Owen (vol. i. p. Ixxii.) for a general criticism on the merits of the following treatise. It waspuhlislied in 1657, shortly after lie had ceased to be Vice-Chancellor in the University of Oxford. From the brief preface ailixed to it, it appears tliat, for a period of more than six years, he had been under some e>iga;i;ement to publish the substance of the work. It has been inferred, accordingly, that it is the substance of some discourses which he had preached in Oxford; bnt, as he became Vice-Chancellor only in Septem- ber 1()52, there is more probability in the supposition that they are the discourses which refreshed and cheered his attached congregation at Coggeshall.
There are two peculiarities which deserve attention in the treatise. The over- sight of one of them has created some misconception of the author's design, and led some to fancy that he was wandering from it, in various passages which are in strict harmony with his main and original purpose in the work. The term " Communion," as used by Owen, isiised in a wider sense than is consistent with that which is now generally attached to it in religious phraseology. It denotes not merely the interchange of feeling between God in his gracious character and a soul in a gracious state, but the gracious relationship upon which this holy inter- change is based. On the jjart of Christ, for exanijile, all his work and its results are described, from the atonement till it takes effect in the actual justification of the sinner.
'I'he grand peculiarity distinguishing the treatise is the fulness of illustration with which he dilates on the communion enjoyed by believers with each person of the Godhead respectively. Fully to comprehend his views on this point, it is needful to bear iu mind the meaning under which the word Communion is em- ployed by Owen.
ANALYSIS.
Part I. — The fact of communion with God is asserted, chap. i. Passages in Scripture are quoted to show that special mention is made of communion with all the persons of the Trinity, ii. Communion with the Father is described, iii. ; and practical inferences deduced from it, iv.
Part II. — The reality of communion with Christ is proved, chap, i.; and tlio nature of it is subsequently considered, it. It is shown to consist in grace; and then the grace of Christ is exhibited under three divisions: — his pcrsuval (jrace, iii.-vi.; and under this branch are two long digressions, designed to unfold the glory and loveliness of Christ;— ^"(rt7(rts^(/ grace, Vii.-x.; in which the mediatorial work of Christ is fully considered, in reference to our acceptance with God, vxi., viii.; sanc- tification, ix.; and the privileges of the covenant, x.; — and j/race as communicated by the Spirit, and conspicuous iu the fruits of personal holiness. This last division is illustrated under sanctification, as contained under the head of puvchawil grace.
Part III. — Communion with the Holy Ghost is exjiounded in the eight follow- ing chapters; — the foundation of it, chap, i.; his gracious and effectual influence in believers, ii.; the elements in which it consists, iii.; the effects in the hearts of believers, iv.; and general inferences and particular directions for commuuiou with the Spirit, v.-viii.
The arrangement of the treatise may seem involved and complicated, and the endless divisions and subdivisions may distract rather than assist the attention of the reader. The warm glow of sanctified emotion, however, and occasionally thoughts of singidar power and originality, which are found throughout the trea- tise, sustain the interest, and more than reward perusal. Few passages in any theological writer are more thrilling than the reference to the spotless humanity of Christ, in terms full of sanctilied genius, on page G4.