A53678:508
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.
We ought to look on Obedience as our work; which will admit neither of sloth nor negligence. Here lies the occasion of the ruin of the Souls of men who profess the 1Gospel. The Duties of Profession are a thing of course unto them, and that which lies without the compass of their principal work and business in the world. This makes their Profession serve to no other end, but to make them secure in a perishing condition. Now that our Obedience may indeed be our work, it is required, (1) That the carrying of it on, the attendance unto it, and furtherance of it in ⟨p. 99⟩order unto the Glory of God, be our principal design in the world. That is a mans [Greek or Hebrew], his proper work which is so. God severely threateneth those which walk with him at peradventures, Levit. 26. 21. [Greek or Hebrew] if you shall walk with me fortuito, at hap hazard, that is, without making it your principal design, and using your utmost diligence and care to proceed in it in a right manner; [Greek or Hebrew] ver. 24. then will even I my self walk with you at all adventures; though I continue with you, as one walking with you in my outward Ordinances and Institutions; yet will I have no regard unto you, as to do you any good, yea I will sorely punish you notwithstanding the Appearance of our walking together, as it follows in the place. Yet is this the course of many who please themselves in their condition. They walk with God in outward appearance by the performance of Duties in their Times, Course, and Order; but they walk at all Adventures, as unto any especial design of their minds about it. Barnabas exhorted the Disciples at Antioch, that with purpose of Heart they would cleave unto the Lord, Acts 11. 23. [Greek or Hebrew], that is, with a firm Resolution to abide in, and pursue the Obedience they were called unto. So Paul tells Timothy, that he knew his Doctrine, manner of life and purpose, 2 Tim. 3. 10. namely, how his principal aim, design and resolution was to abide in and carry on his course of Faith and Obedience. And then is any thing the object of our purpose and principal design; (1) When we subordinate all other things and occasions unto it, that they may not jostle nor interfere, nor stand in competition with it, when to us, to live is Christ, or he is the chief end of our life.