A53678:553
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. Where the Objects of this exercise of Love are multiplied, Weariness is apt to befall us, and insensibly to take us off from the whole. The Wisdom and Providence of God do multiply Objects of Love and Charity to excite us to more acts of Duty; and the corruption of our Hearts with self-love useth the consideration of them, to make us weary of all. Men would be glad to see an end of the trouble and charge of their Love, when that only is true which is endless. Hence our Apostle in the next Verse expresseth his desire that these Hebrews should not faint in their work, but show the same diligence unto the full assurance of hope unto the end. See Gal. 6. 9. And if we faint in spiritual Duties because of the increase of their occasions, it is a sign that what we have done already, did not spring from the proper Root of Faith and Love. What is done in the strength of Nature and Conviction, howsoever vigorous it may be for a season, in process of time will decay and give out. And this is the reason why so many fail in the course of their Profession. All Springs of Obedience that lye in Convictions and the improvement of natural Abilities under them, will at one time or other fade and dry up. And where we find our selves to faint or decay in any Duties, our first enquiry should be after the nature of their spring and principle. Only the Spirit of God is living water that never fails. So the Prophet tells us, that even the Youths shall faint and be weary, and the Young men shall utterly fail, Isa. 40. 30. They who seem to be the strongest and most vigorous in the performance of any Duties, yet if they have nothing but their own strength, the Ability of nature under Convictions to trust unto, they will and shall faint and utterly fail. For that such are intended is manifest from the opposition in the next words; But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as Eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint, ver. 31. If our Strength and Duties be derived by Faith from God, the more we engage in them, the more it will be increased. The way of the Lord is strength to the upright, Prov. 10. 29. Where we are upright in the way of God, the very way it self will supply us with new strength continually. And we shall go from strength unto strength,