Among the editions of this valuable work, that printed in Edinburgh, 1755, under the superintendence of the Rev. Adam Gib, deserves honourable mention. It is printed with some care; considerable attention is paid to the numeration; and a valuable analysis of the whole work is prefixed to it. We have not felt at liberty to adopt the numeration in all respects, as rather more of freedom is used with the original than is consistent with the principles on which this edition of Owen's works has been issued. We acknowledge our obligations to it in the preparation of the subjoined analysis, which is mostly taken from it.
1 42 PREFATORY NOTE.
AVALYSIS.
BOOK I. declares the eternal counsel and distinct actual concurrence of the holy Trinity unto the work of redemption in the blood of Christ ; with the covenanted in- tendment and accomplished end of God therein.
Chapter I. treats in general of the end of the death of Christ, as it is in the Scrip- ture proposed : — I. What his Father and himself intended in it. II. What was effec- tually fulfilled and accomplished by it: — -1. Reconciliation; 2. Justification; 3. Sancti- ficatiou ; 4. Adoption ; 5. Glorification. III. A general view of the opposite doctrine.
Chapter II. Of the nature of an end in general, and some distinctions about it: — I. The general distinction of end and means. II. Their mutual relation: — 1. In a moral sense^, 2. In a natural sense. 111. A twofold end noticed, viz.: — 1. Of the work; 2. Of the worker. IV. The end of every free agent is either that which he effects, or that for the sake of which it is effected. V. The means of two sorts, viz.: — 1. Such as have a goodness in themselves; 2. Such as have no goodness, but as conducing to the end. VI. An application of these distinctions to the business in hand.
Cn AFTER III. considers, — I. The Father as the chief author of the work of our re- demption ; II. The acts ascribed to the person of the Father : — 1 . The Father sending his Son into the world for the work of redemption: — (1.) By an authoritative imposition of the office of mediator upon him: — [1.] The purposed imposition of his counsel; [2.] The actual inauguration of Christ as mediator. (2.) By furnishing him with a fulness of all gifts and graces: — [1.] Christ had a natural all-sufficient perfection of his deity; [2.] He had a communicated fulness. (3.) By entering into covenant with him about his work: — [1.] With a promise of assistance ; [2.] With a promise of success. 2. The Father laying upon him the punishment of sin.
Chapter IV. Of those things which, in the work of redemption, are peculiarly ascribed to the person of the Son : — I. His incarnation ; II. His oblation; III. His intercession.
Chai>ter V. The peculiar actings of the Holy Spirit in this business: — I. As to the incarnation of Christ; II. As to the oblation or passion of Christ; III. As to the re- surrection of Christ.
Chapter VI. The means used by the fore-recounted agents in this work: — I. The means used is that whole dispensation from whence Christ is called a Mediator: — 1. His oblatioji; 2. His intercession. II. His oblation not a mean good in itself, but only as conducing to its end, and inseparable from his intercession; as, — 1. Both intended for the same end; 2. Both of the same extent, as respecting the same objects; 3. His obla- tion the foundation of his intercession.
Chapter VII. contains reasons to prove the oblation and intercession of Christ to be one entire mean respecting the accomplishment of the same proposed end, and to have the same personal object: — I. From their conjunction in Scripture; II. From their being both acts of the same priestly office; III. From the nature of his intercession: IV. From the identity of what he ju-ocurcd in his oblation with what results from his intercession; V. From their being conjoined by himself, John xvii. ; VI. From the sad consequence of separating them, as cutting off all consolation by his death.
Chapter VIII. Objections are answered, being a consideration of Thomas More's reply to the former arguments for the inseparable conjunction of Christ's oblation and intercession, viz. : — I. As to Christ being a double mediator, both general and special, alleged from 1 Tim. ii. 5, iv. 10; Heb. ix. 15. II. As to the tenor of Christ's inter- cession, according to Isa. liii. 12; Luke xxiii. 3-1; John xvii. 21-23; Matt. v. 14-lG; John i. 9. III. As to Christ being a priest for all in respect of one end, and for some only in respect of all ends, alleged from Heb. ii. 9, ix. 14, 15, 2(3; John i. 29 ; 1 John ii. 2 ; Matt. xxvi. 28.
BOOK II. removes false and supposed ends of the death of Clirist, with the distinc- tions invented to salve the mauilbld contradictious of the pretended universal atonement, rightly stating the controversy.
Chapter I. Some previous considerations to a more particular inquii-y after the proper end and effect of the death of Christ : — I. The supremo end of Christ's death in respect of God; 11. The subordinate end of his death in respect of us.