A53678:58
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 End is [Greek or Hebrew], Perfection. That is, such a knowledge of the mysterious and 1sublime Doctrines of the Gospel, as those who were completely initiated, and throughly instructed, were partakers of. Of this he says [Greek or Hebrew], 1 Cor. 2. 6. we speak wisdom among the Perfect; or declare the deep mysteries of the Gospel, the Wisdom of God in a mystery, unto them that are capable of them. It is then a Perfection that the Apostle aims at; but such as comes under a double Limitation. (1) From the Nature of the thing its self. It is only an intellectual Perfection, a Perfection of the mind, in Knowledge, that is intended. And this may be where there is not a moral, gracious, sinless Perfection. Yea men may have great Light in their Minds, whilst their Wills and Affections are very much depraved, and their Lives unreformed. (2) It is a Comparative, and not an absolute Perfection. An absolute Perfection in the Comprehension of the whole mystery of God in Christ, is not by us attainable in this Life. The Apostle denies it concerning himself, Phil. 3. 12. But such a degree and measure as God is pleased to Communicate to Believers in the ordinary use of means, is that which is intended. See Ephes. 4. 12, 13. Take therefore the Perfection here aimed at, objectively, and it is, the more sublime mysteries of the Gospel which it expresseth; take it subjectively, it is such a clear Perception of them, especially of those which concern the Person and Offices of Christ, and particularly his Priesthood, as grown Believers do usually attain unto.
The End is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Perfection. That is, such a knowledge of the mysterious and 1sublime Doctrines of the Gospel, as those who were compleatly initiated, and throughly instructed, were partakers of. Of this he says 〈non-Latin alphabet〉,