A53678:354
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 7, 8: VERSE 7, 8.
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. He doth according to his Sovereign pleasure call and send persons to the Preaching of it, unto those to whom he will grant the Privilege thereof. Every man may not upon his own Head, nor can any man upon his own abilities undertake and discharge that work. This is the Eternal Rule and Law of the Gospel. Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. But how shall men call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him, of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a Preacher? And how shall they Preach except they be sent? Rom. 10. 13, 14, 15. that is, by God himself; for neither doth the Apostle discourse, nor hath he any occasion in that place to discourse concerning the ordinary call of Persons unto an Office in the Church, whereunto the Ministry of the Church it self is required. But he treats of Preaching the Gospel in general unto all or any parts of the world, and of the love and care of God in sending of men unto that purpose, whereby others coming to hear of him may believe in him, call upon his name, and be saved. Hence he compares the Work of God herein unto that of his sending forth Light and natural Instructions unto all the World by the Luminaries of Heaven wherein the Ministry of Men hath no place, verse 18. Wherefore the Preaching of the Gospel depends absolutely on the Sovereign pleasure of God in sending men unto that work; for how should they Preach except they be sent? And he doth send them, first, by endowing them with spiritual Gifts, enabling them unto that Work and Duty. The Gospel is the Ministration of the Spirit; nor is it to be administered but by virtue of the Gifts of the Spirit. These God gives unto them whom he sends by Jesus Christ, Ephes. 4. 7, 8, &c. And ⟨p. 60⟩these Gifts are a sort of especial, peculiar, yea supernatural Abilities, whereby men are fitted to, and enabled for the Dispensation of the Gospel. It is sad to consider what woeful work they make who undertake this Duty, and yet unfurnished with these Abilities, that is, such who are sent of men, but are not sent of God. They harness themselves with external Order, Ecclesiastical Mission according to some Rules agreed upon among themselves, with some other implements and Ornamental Accoutrements, whereon they undertake to be Preachers of the Gospel, as it were whether God will or no.