A53678:1250
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.
This is that, whatever it be, (which we shall immediately enquire into) that ⟨p. 159⟩is denied unto the Levitical Priesthood, and afterwards unto the Law, as that which they could not effect. They could not by their utmost Efficacy, nor by the strictest Attendance unto them, bring the Church into that state of Perfection, which God had designed for it in this World, and without which the Glory of his Grace had not been demonstrated.
This is that, whatever it be, (which we shall immediately enquire into) that ⟨p. 159⟩is denyed unto the Levitical Priesthood, and afterwards unto the Law, as that which they could not effect. They could not by their utmost Efficacy, nor by the strictest Attendance unto them, bring the Church into that state of Perfection, which God had designed for it in this World, and without which the Glory of his Grace had not been demonstrated.
4. The Chief thing before us therefore is to enquire, What this state of Perfection is, wherein it doth consist, and what is required unto the Constitution of it; and in the whole to show that it could not be by the Levitical Priesthood or Law. Now the things that belong unto it are of two sorts. (1.) Such as belong unto the Souls and Consciences of Believers, that is, of the Church: And (2.) Such as belong to the Worship of God it self. For with respect unto these two, doth the Apostle Discourse, and asserts a state of Perfection in opposition unto the imperfect state of the Church under the Law, with respect unto them both. And as unto the first there are seven things concurring unto the Constitution of this state. (1.) Righteousness. (2.) Peace. (3.) Light or Knowledge. (4.) Liberty with boldness. (5.) A clear Prospect into a future state of Blessedness. (6.) Joy. (7.) Confidence and Glorying in the Lord. And the Latter or the Worship of the Gospel becomes a part of this state of Perfection. (1.) By its being Spiritual. (2.) Easy, as absolutely suited unto the Principles of the New Creature. (3.) In that it is Instructive. (4.) From its Relation unto Christ as the High Priest. (5.) From the Entrance we have therein into the Holy place. In these things consists that state of Perfection which the Church is called unto under the New Testament, which it could never attain by the Levitical Priesthood. This is that Kingdom of God which is not Meat and Drink, but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost,