Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. — Ps. cxix. 18. Give me understanding, and I shall live.— Verse 144.
LONDON: 1673.
Imprimatur,
Guil. Sill., May 13, 167a
PREFATORY NOTE.
The following work is the latter part of our author's treatise on the operations of the Holy Spirit in illuminating the minds of believers, and relates to the method by which we are to understand and interpret Scripture aright, as the former part of it was occupied exclusively with a discussion of the evidence or grounds on which we receive it as divine.
In the preceding treatise, on " The Reason of Faith," Owen, while defending the objec- tive authority of the Word, in opposition to the principle of an " inward light," asserted and proved the necessity of spiritual influence for the due reception of the Word in its divine authority. His argument in the present treatise has " especial respect unto the Church of Rome," and, on the principle that every man has a right to interpret Scripture, opens with a denial of the claim of that church to be the only interpreter of Scripture. The Quaker and the Romanist agree in holding the subordination of Scripture to another authority in matters of faith, — the former finding this authority in his inward light, the latter vesting it in the church. Our author, in common with the general body of Pro- testants, asserts the sufficiency of revelation in itself as a rule of faith and duty, provided it be read and understood in the enjoyment of the enlightening influence of the Spirit, and in the use of certain divinely appointed means.
This treatise, if not among the best known, is among the most useful, of our author's works. The subject is of confessed importance, and he handles it with all his charac- teristic sagacity. Singularly coherent and comprehensive in its details, less prolix than most of his works, and free from irrelevant digressions, it is not to this day superseded by any similar treatise on the same subject, and forms an excellent manual for all who are engaged in sacred studies as a profession. Dr Pye Smith, in his "Scripture Testimony to the Messiah," quotes from it copiously, in illustration of the spirit with which the study of the divine Word should be prosecuted, nor has he by any means exhausted the noble and weighty sentiments which occur in this work, expressive of humble reverence- for its supreme authority. Owen in himself exemplifies the benefit sure to accrue from the prostration of every claim and gift before the throne of revealed truth. Few have surpassed him in " the full assurance of understanding."
ANALYSIS. The presumptuous claim of the Romish Church to the infallible interpretation of the Word is denied, and the right of private judgment in the interpretation of it asserted ; the question considered is declared to relate to the method by which we attain to a right
Eerception of the mind of God in Scripture, and this method is described as twofold : — , Through a principal efficient cause ; and, II. Auxiliary means, internal and external, appointed of God, chap. I.
I. The Holy Spirit is represented as the efficient cause, and an inquiry follows : — 1. Into the evidence of the work of the Spirit in the communication of spiritual understand- ing;— various testimonies from Scripture are adduced, involving a minute discussion of Ps. cxix. 18, 2 Cor. Hi. 13-18, Isa. xxv. 7, Luke xxiv. 44, 45, Eph. i. 17-19, Hosea xiv. 9, n. ; John xvi. 13, 1 John ii. 20, 27, Eph. iv. 14, Job xxxvi. 22, John vi. 45, in. ; and, 2. Into the especial nature of the Spirit's work in enlightening us into a knowledge of the mind of God in Scripture. Its nature is first considered by a reference to several scriptural expressions descriptive of it, such as " opening the eyes," " translating out of darkness into light," " giving understanding," "teaching," and "shining into our hearts," iv. As preparatory to what follows in explanation of the Spirit's work in enlightening the mind, a digression is introduced on the causes of spiritual ignorance, which are classified into three divisions : — the natural vanity of the depraved mind ; the working of corrupt affections; and the deceitful influence of Satan. The way in which the Spirit operates directly on our minds for the removal of all those causes of spiritual ignorance, by com- municating spiritual light, purging from corrupt affections, and implanting spiritual habits and principles, is explained, v. His work for the production of the same effect by means of Scripture itself next comes under review; and under this head three points, in regard, (I.) To the arrangement, (2.) The subject-matter of Scripture, and (3.) Dif- ficulties in Scripture, are considered. (1.) On the first of these points, advantages are exhibited as resulting from the want of formal system in revelation ; the ministry of the gospel is felt to be of value, faith and obedience are brought into special exercise, and search into the whole of Scripture is rendered necessary. (2.) The subject-matter of revelation is proved to contain all things requisite for faith and practice. (3.) The dif- ficulties in Scripture include, first, things "hard to be understood;" and, secondly, things " hard to be interpreted." Rules for the management of these difficulties are supplied, vi.