A53678:548
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.
4. Take heed of resting satisfied in the outward Duties of Love, without the inward workings of it, as also in an apprehension of inward Affections without outward Fruits. Men may have a Conviction that all the outward Duties of Love, in warning, admonishing, comforting, relieving with outward supplies are to be attended unto, and may accordingly be exercised in them, and yet exercise little real Love in them all. Hence our Apostle supposeth that a man may give all his Goods to feed the poor, and yet have no Charity, 1 Cor. 13. 2. All Fruit partakes of the nature of the Root. If the good we do in these kinds proceed only from Conviction of Duty, and not from fervent Love, they will prove but Hay and Stubble that will burn in their Trial.
Secondly, With this Love as an eminent Adjunct of it, the Apostle expresseth1. the labour of it, the labour of Love, [Greek or Hebrew]; laboriosa charitas; laborious Love, saith Beza. Laboris ex charitate suscepti, Eras. the labour undergone on the account of Love, that is, in the exercise of it. [Greek or Hebrew] is such a kind of labour as is attended with much difficulty and trouble, a painful labour. A lazy Love like that described by the Apostle, Jam. 2. 15, 16. and which most men satisfy themselves withal, is no evidence of a saving Faith. But we are here taught, that Love if it be true is laborious and diligent: or, Great and difficult labour is required unto Love in its due exercise. It is not unto Love it self absolutely but unto its exercise that this labour is required; yet this exercise is such as is inseparable from the Grace it self. And this is necessary upon the account of the Difficulties that lye in its way, and the Oppositions that it meets withal. These make a work laborious and painful. Faith and Love are generally looked on as easy and common things; But it is by them who have them not. As they are the only Springs of all Obedience towards God, and Usefulness towards men, so they meet with the greatest oppositions from within and from without. I shall name some few of those which are most effectual, and least taken notice of. As,