A53678:1285
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.
Observ. 1. An Interest in the Gospel consisteth not in an outward Profession of it, but in a real participation of those things wherein the Perfection of its state doth consist. Men may have a form of Godliness, and be utter strangers to the Power of it. Multitudes in all Ages have made, and do make a Profession of the Gospel, who yet have no Experience in themselves of the real Benefits and Advantages wherewith it is accompanied. All that they obtain hereby is but to deceive their Souls into eternal ⟨p. 168⟩Ruin. For they live in some kind of Expectation, that in another World they shall obtain Rest and Blessedness and Glory by it. But the Gospel will do nothing for them hereafter in things Eternal, who are not here Partakers of its Power and Fruits in things Spiritual.
Observ. 1. An Interest in the Gospel consisteth not in an outward Profession of it, but in a real participation of those things wherein the Perfection of its state doth consist. Men may have a form of Godliness, and be utter strangers to the Power of it. Multitudes in all Ages have made, and do make a Profession of the Gospel, who yet have no Experience in themselves of the real Benefits and Advantages wherewith it is accompanied. All that they obtain hereby is but to deceive their Souls into eternal ⟨p. 168⟩Ruine. For they live in some kind of Expectation, that in another World they shall obtain Rest and Blessedness and Glory by it. But the Gospel will do nothing for them hereafter in things Eternal, who are not here Partakers of its Power and Fruits in things Spiritual.
Observ. 2. The Preeminence of the Gospel-state above the Legal is Spiritual and undiscernible unto a Carnal Eye. For (1.) It is evident that the Principal Design of the Apostle in all these Discourses is, to prove the Excellency of the state of the Church under the New Testament, in its Faith, Liberty, and Worship, above that of the Church under the Old. And (2.) That he doth not in any of them produce instances of outward Pomp, Ceremonies, or visible Glory, in the confirmation of his Assertion. He grants all the outward Institutions and Ordinances of the Law, insisting on them, their Use, and Signification in particular; but he opposeth not unto them any outward visible glory in Gospel-Administrations. (3.)