A53678:460
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.
1. His Love and good-will he testifies in his Compellation, [Greek or Hebrew], Beloved. It is an Expression of most entire Affection, and is never used in the Gospel but to express the Love of God the Father unto his Son Jesus Christ, Matth. 3. 17. chap. 112. 18. chap. 17. 5. Mark 1. 11. chap. 9. 7. chap. 12. 16. Luke 3. 22. chap. 9. 35. chap. 20. 13. By the Apostles in their Epistles it is frequently applied unto Believers, especially by Paul, in all those written by him: we might therefore pass it over, as that word which it was usual with him to express his sincere Affections by towards all Saints. But there seems to be a twofold reason of its especial Introduction in this place, both of them respected in the Wisdom of our Apostle. (1) Perhaps, these Hebrews were ready enough to entertain Jealousies concerning him, that he had not that Affection for them which he had for others. For he had now spent a long time with and among the Gentiles for their Conversion and Edification. Among them he had planted very many Churches, and that in one Point contrary to the Judgement of most of these Hebrews, namely, in a Liberty from the Law and the Ceremonies of Moses. In this long converse and work, they might suspect that he had lost his natural Love to his Country-men, as is usual in such cases, and as he was much accused to have done. To root this evil surmise out of their minds, as he useth frequently other affectionate Compellations in this Epistle, so he here calls them his Beloved, than which he had used no Expression of greater Endearment towards any of his Gentile Converts. And notwithstanding all the Provocations and Injuries he had received from them, he gave on all occasions the highest Demonstration of the most intense Affection towards them; never opposing them nor reflecting on them with any severity, but only then and wherein they opposed the Gospel, and the Liberty thereof. This Affection was such for them as his Country-men and Kinsmen in the Flesh, as that he could willingly have died that they might be saved, Rom. 9. 2, 3. And for this he prayed continually, chap. 10. 1. And the Addition of Love that was made in him upon their Conversion cannot be expressed. (2) He hath respect unto his preceding severe Expressions, as is plain from the close of this Verse, though we thus speak.