A53678:1545
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.
2. There is moreover required hereunto, that upon the Justification and Acceptation of our Persons, we have Faith, Liberty, Boldness, Confidence and Assurance given unto us in our coming unto God. And this cannot be without the Renovation of our natures into his Image, the quickening of our souls with a new Principle of Spiritual life, and Ability unto all Duties of acceptable Obedience. All these things are required unto our drawing nigh unto God, or unto a state of Reconciliation, Peace, and Communion with him. And we may observe,
2. There is moreover required hereunto, that upon the Justification and Acceptation of our Persons, we have Faith, Liberty, Boldness, Confidence and Assurance given unto us in our coming unto God. And this cannot be without the Renovation of our natures into his Image, the quickning of our souls with a new Principle of Spiritual life, and Ability unto all Duties of acceptable Obedience. All these things are required unto our drawing nigh unto God, or unto a state of Reconciliation, Peace, and Communion with him. And we may observe,
1. Out of Christ, or without him all Mankind are at an unconceivable Distance from God. And a Distance it is of the worst kind; even that which is an effect of mutual Enmity. The cause of it was on our part voluntary, and the effect of it the height of misery. And however any may flatter and deceive themselves, it is the present condition of all who have not an Interest in Christ by Faith. They are far off from God, as he is the Fountain of all Goodness and Blessedness; inhabiting, as the Prophet speaks, the parched places of the wilderness, and shall not see when Good cometh, Jerem. 17. 6. far from the dews and showers of grace or mercy, far from divine love and favour; cast out of the bounds of them, as Adam our of Paradise, without any hope or power in themselves to return. The flaming sword of the Law turns every way to keep them from the Tree of Life. Yet are they not so far from God, but they are under his wrath and curse, and whatever of misery is contained in them. Let them fly whither they please, wish for Mountains and Rocks to fall on them, as they will do hereafter; hide themselves in the Darkness and Shades of their own Ignorance, like Adam among the Trees of the Garden, or immerge themselves in the pleasures of sin for a season; all is one, the wrath of God abideth on them. And they are far from God in their own minds also; being alienated from him, Enemies against him, and in all things made up with Satan the Head of the Apostasy. Thus is it and unconceivably worse with all that embrace not this better Hope to bring them nigh unto God.