A53678:1166
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews viz, on the sixth, seventh, eight, ninth, and tenth chapters : wherein together with the explication of the text and context, the priesthood of Christ ... are declared, explained and confirmed : as also, the pleas of the Jews for the continuance and perpetuity of their legal worship, with the doctrine of the principal writers of the Socinians about these things, are examined and disproved / by J. Owen ...
London: printed for Nathaniel Ponder, 1680
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
4. There is Benedictio Reverentialis; Hereof God is the Object. So Men are said often to Bless God, and to Bless his Holy Name, which is mentioned in the Scripture as a signal Duty of all that Fear and Love the Lord. Now this Blessing of God is a Declaration of his praises with an Holy Reverential Thankful admiration of his Excellencies. But this belongs not at all unto the design of the Apostle, nor is regulated by this general Maxim, but is a particular Instance of the direct contrary, wherein without Controversy the Greater is Blessed of the Less. It is the second sort of Blessings that is alone here intended; and that is mentioned as an Evident Demonstration of the Dignity of Melchizedek, and his Preeminence above Abraham.
4. There is Benedictio Reverentialis; Hereof God is the Object. So Men are said often to Bless God, and to Bless his Holy Name, which is mentioned in the Scripture as a signal Duty of all that Fear and Love the Lord. Now this Blessing of God is a Declaration of his praises with an Holy Reverential Thankful admiration of his Excellencies. But this belongs not at all unto the design of the Apostle, nor is regulated by this general Maxime, but is a particular Instance of the direct contrary, wherein without Controversie the Greater is Blessed of the Less. It is the second sort of Blessings that is alone here intended; and that is mentioned as an Evident Demonstration of the Dignity of Melchisedec, and his Preeminence above Abraham.
It is a great Mercy and Privilege when God will make Use of any in the Blessing of others with Spiritual Mercies. It is God alone who Originally and Efficiently can do so, who can actually and infallibly Collate a Blessing on any one. Therefore is he said to Bless us with all Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly things, Ephes. 1. 3. There is no one Blessing but he is the sole Author and worker of it. But yet also he maketh Use of others, severally, in various degrees of Usefulness, for their Communication. And this he doth, both to fill up that Order of all things in dependence on himself, wherein he will be glorified; and also to make some Partakers in his especial Grace and Favour by using them in the Collation of Good things, yea, the best things on others. For what greater Privilege can any one be made Partaker of, than to be an Instrument in the Hand of God, in the Communication of his Grace and Goodness? And a Privilege it is whose Exercise and Improvement