A53678:474
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.
The best persuasion we can arrive unto concerning the Spiritual condition of any, leaves yet room, yea makes way for, Gospel Threatenings, Warnings, Exhortations, and Encouragements. 1There is nothing more common then to charge the ways of some, than that by persuading men of their Regeneration and Saintship, they render them secure, and the threatenings of the Gospel in an especial manner unuseful unto them. Neither is there any question but that this, as all other ways of God, and his Grace, may be abused. But those who manage the Charge in general may do well to fix it in the first place on the Apostles. For there is not any of them, but testify the same persuasion concerning all them to whom they wrote, and there is no doubt but that their way of Preaching and Writing was the same. But yet this hindered them not from the use of all sorts of Evangelical Comminations, Exhortations and Encouragements, from whence we are to take our Example and Warranty for the same practice. This therefore lies evident in their procedure which is our Instruction and Rule, namely, that looking on men as Believers, or being persuaded of their good Spiritual condition, we yet ought to apply unto them all the means appointed by Christ for the begetting, increase and continuance of Grace in them. And the reasons hereof are evident, for (1) Although that persuasion which men may have of their Spiritual condition, or which others may have or declare concerning them, may strengthen their peace, yet it neither doth nor ought to incline them unto security. Thou standest by Faith, saith the Apostle, be not high minded ⟨p. 91⟩but fear, Rom. 11. 20. Take the peace and comfort of thy Faith, but be neither proud nor secure. Where there is any such effect hereof towards a Laodicean security, there is a just ground to suspect that the persuasion it self is a pernicious mistake. And it is the Duty of all Professors to give heed diligently lest any such root of bitterness spring up amongst them and defile them. If once a persuasion of this good condition begins to influence towards Security, and a neglect of Duty, then ought they to be in the highest Jealousy concerning their condition its self. (2) Whatever mens state and condition be under the Gospel, they are still obliged unto the means appointed for their Edification and preservation.