A53678:570
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 great Trial of our Love consists in our regard unto the Saints that are in distress. 1That is the Foundation of the commendation of the Love of these Hebrews; they ministered unto them. Either Love or at least an appearance of Love will be easily preserved where we have little or no need of one another. But when the exercise of it proves costly, when it puts us unto charge or trouble, or into danger, as it doth more or less when it is exercised towards them that are in distress, then is it brought unto its trial. And in such a season we have experience that the Love of many is so far from bringing forth more fruit, as that the very leaves of it fall off, and they give over its profession. Wherefore,
The great Trial of our Love consists in our regard unto the Saints that are in distress. 1That is the Foundation of the commendation of the Love of these Hebrews; they ministred unto them. Either Love or at least an appearance of Love will be easily preserved where we have little or no need of one another. But when the exercise of it proves costly, when it puts us unto charge or trouble, or into danger, as it doth more or less when it is exercised towards them that are in distress, then is it brought unto its trial. And in such a season we have experience that the Love of many is so far from bringing forth more fruit, as that the very leaves of it fall off, and they give over its profession. Wherefore,
- 1Obser. 2.
It is the Glory and Honour of a Church, the principal Evidence of its spiritual Life, 1when it is diligent and abounds in those Duties of Faith and Love which are attended with the greatest difficulties. From hence doth the Apostle commend these Hebrews, and firmly persuades himself that they were endued with those better things which accompany Salvation. For hereby, as we might show, (1) God is singularly glorified, (2) The Gospel is peculiarly promoted; (3) An especial lustre is put upon the Graces of the Spirit, and (4) All the Ends of Satan and the World in their Persecutions, are utterly frustrated.