A53678:829
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
Exegesis of chapter 6 › Exegesis of verses 17, 18, 19, 20: Verse 17, 18, 19, 20.
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.
2. It discovers the heinous Nature of Unbelief. The Gospel which is a message of Love, Peace, Mercy, and Grace, yet never makes mention of Unbelief but it annexeth Damnation unto it. He that believeth not shall be damned. And although they shall also perish unto whom the Gospel is not preached, Rom. 2. 12. yet the Gospel though it speaks not exclusively unto others, yet principally it declares the inevitable destruction, the Everlasting Damnation of them who believe not when the Promise is declared to them, 2 Thes. 1. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. however, it declares that they shall fall under a sorer death and destruction than any others, 2 Cor. 2. 16. And the reason of this Severity is taken partly from the Nature of Unbelief, and partly from the Aggravation of it. The Nature of Unbelief consists in a refusal of the Testimony of God, so making him a Liar, 1 Joh. 5. 10. and in esteeming that which he proposeth as his Power and Wisdom to be weakness and folly. Hence there is no way of Sin or Rebellion against God whatever, that casts such Scorn and Indignity upon him. So that it is in it self the greatest of sins, as well as the root and cause of them. Yet such is the blindness of corrupted Nature, that many who will boggle at other sins, especially such as look with a severe threatening Aspect on a Natural Conscience, as Adultery, Theft, and Murder, yet concern themselves not at all in this Unbelief, but rather approve themselves in their Infidelity. Yet is there not one unto whom the Gospel is preached, but if he do not really receive the Lord Christ as tendered in the Promise, he doth what lies in him to declare God to be a Liar, foolish in his Counsels, and weak in his Operations. And what account this will come unto is not hard to discern. Moreover, It is from the Aggravations that it is accompanied withal, from the Nature of the thing it self, and the way whereby it is proposed unto us. How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation? Heb. 2. 3. We may look only on that which lies before us; namely, the Infinite Condescension of Divine Goodness in showing, manifesting, and declaring the Immutability of his Counsel by Oath.