TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
Sir WILLIAM MORRICH, Kyteur,
ONE OF HIS MAJESTY’S MOST HONOURABLE PRIVY COUNCIL, AND PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OF STATE, ETC.
Sir, Tue dedication of books unto persons of worth and honour hath secured itself from the impeachment of censure, by taking sanctuary in the usage of all times and ages. Herein, therefore, as none is needed, so I shall make use of no apology. But the consideration of some circumstances (needless to be repeated) seems to render an account of the reason of my particular address unto you in this manner necessary. ‘This, therefore, I shall give, but briefly :— “Ne longo sermone morer tua tempora.”
That which principally, in this matter, I resolved my thoughts into, was a de- sign to answer my own inclination and desire, in testifying a respectful honour to a person who, in a place of eminency, hath given so fair an example of a singular conjunction, in himself, of civil prudence and all manner of useful literature, with their mutual subserviency unto each other: an endeavour whereof the wisdom of all ages hath esteemed needful, though few individuals have attained unto it: for whereas a defect in learning hath tempted some, otherwise prudent and wise in the management of affairs, unto a contempt of it; and skill therein hath given unto others a mistaken confidence that it alone is sufiicient for all the ends of human life; an industrious attempt for a furnishment of the mind with a due mix- ture of them both hath been greatly neglected, to the no small disadvantage of human affairs. It cannot, therefore, seem strange, nor ought any to be offended, that one who dares profess a great honour unto and admiration of both these en- dowments of the mind of man, should express them with that respect which alone he is capable to give, unto him who, in a place of eminent trust and employment, hath given a singular instance of their happy conjunction and readiness to coalesce in the same mind, to enable it unto a regular and steady pursuit of their common ends. Whether I shall by this address attain that end or no I know not; but this is that which principally I aimed at therein: and to the reason whereof I leave the judgment of my undertakings. But yet I may not omit, that your favour hath also given me particular grounds for this confidence, and such as have been pre- valent against those impressions of discouragements which I am naturally very liable to admit of and receive. Your candid esteem of some former endeavours in this kind (and which when carried without the verge of those lines of commu- nication within whose compass men and their writings are judged by party, and searce otherwise have received a fair acceptance in the world) were no small en- couragement unto me, not to desert those wearisome labours which have no other reward or end but the furtherance of public good, especially having this only way left me to serve the will of God and the interest of the church in my generation. It was also through the countenance of your favour that this and some other
A. THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
treatises have received warrant to pass freely into the world; which though I am uncertain of what advantage they may be unto any, by reason of their own defects and the prejudices of others, yet I want not the highest security that there is no- thing in them tending to the least disadvantage unto those whose concernment lies in peace and truth in these nations.
For the treatises themselves, which I desire herewith to represent to some of your leisure hours, I shall not offend against the public service in detaining you with an account of them. Their subject-matter, as to its weight, worth, and ne- cessity, will speak for itself; the main objects of our present faith and principal foundations of our future expectations, our pleas and evidences for a blessed eter- nity, are here insisted on. And whether the temptations, opinions, and bold pre- sumptions of many in these days, do not call for a renewed consideration and con- firmation of them, is left to the judgment of persons indifferent and unprejudiced ; the manner of their handling is submitted unto yours, which is highly and singu- larly esteemed by,
Sir, Your most humble and obliged servant,
JoHN OWEN.
March 20, 1667.
PREFATORY NOTICES.
I—T0O THE CHRISTIAN READER,
CurisTIAN READER,
Ir thou intendest to engage any part of thy time in the perusal of the ensuing Discourses and Exposition, it may not be amiss to take along with thee the consider- ation of some things, concerning the design and aim of their author in the writing and present publishing of them, which are here proposed unto thee. It is now sundry years since I purposed in myself, if God gave life and opportunity, to en- deayour, according to the measure of the gift received, an Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews. A subject this was, I then knew, and now acknowledge, much laboured in by many eminent and learned men, both of old and of late. In par- ticular, some entire commentaries, composed with good judgment and to very good purpose, have been published in our own language; yea, from him who first began a serious exposition of this Epistle, and whom none in all things have to this day exceeded, there have passed few ages wherein some or other have not endea- voured the explication of it. And this, also, hath been done by men of all sorts and parties, of all persuasions and opinions in Christian religion; an account of whose several endeavours shall elsewhere be given. Somewhat there was of en- couragement unto me in my designed undertaking, and somewhat of quite another tendency, in this consideration.