A53678:158
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
Exegesis of chapter 6 › Exegesis of verses 1, 2: Verse 1, 2.
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.
1. Because it is most clearly, evidently and fully taught and declared therein. It was as sundry other important truths, made known under the Old Testament, sparingly and obscurely. But Life and Immortality with this great means of them both, were brought to light by the Gospel, 2 Tim. 1. 10. all things concerning them being made plain, clear and evident.
2. Because of that solemn confirmation and pledge of it which was given in the Resurrection of Christ from the dead. This was wanting under the Old Testament, and therefore the Faith of men might oft-times be greatly shaken about it. For whereas death seized on all men, and that penally in the execution of the sentence of the Law, whence they were for fear of it, obnoxious to bondage all their days, Heb. 2. 14, 15. they had not received any pledge or instance of a recovery from its power, or the taking off that sentence and penalty. But Christ dying for us, and that directly under the Sentence and Curse of the Law, yet conquering both Death and Law, being raised again, the pains or bonds of death being loosed, hath given a full confirmation and absolute assurance of our Resurrection. And thus it is said, that he brought Life and Immortality to light by abolishing of death, 2 Tim. 1. 10. that is, the power of it, that it should not hold us for ever under its dominion, 1 Cor. 15. 54, 55, 56, 57.
3. Because it hath a peculiar influence into our Obedience under the Gospel. Under the Old Testament the Church had sundry motives unto Obedience taken from temporal things, namely, prosperity and peace in the Land of Canaan, with deliverance out of troubles and distresses. Promises hereof made unto them the Scripture abounds withal, and thereon presseth them unto Obedience, and diligence in the Worship of God. But we are now left unto promises of Invisible and Eternal things, which cannot be fully enjoyed but by virtue of the Resurrection from the dead. And therefore these promises are made unspeakably more clear and evident, as also the things promised unto us, than they were unto them, and so our motives and encouragements unto Obedience, are unspeakably advanced above theirs. This may well therefore be esteemed as an especial principle of the Doctrine of the Gospel. And