A53696:102
Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews
Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews also concerning the Messiah wherein the promises concerning him to be a spiritual redeemer of mankind are explained and vindicated, his coming and accomplishment of his work according to the promises is proved and confirmed, the person, or who he is, is declared, the whole economy of the mosaical law, rites, worship, and sacrifice is explained : and in all the doctrine of the person, office, and work of the Messiah is opened, the nature and demerit of the first sin is unfolded, the opinions and traditions of the ancient and modern Jews are examined, their objections against the Lord Christ and the Gospel are answered, the time of the coming of the Messiah is stated, and the great fundamental truths of the Gospel vindicated : with an exposition and discourses on the two first chapters of the said epistle to the Hebrews / by J. Owen ...Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews also concerning the Messiah wherein the promises concerning him to be a spiritual redeemer of mankind are explained and vindicated, his coming and accomplishment of his work according to the promises is proved and confirmed, the person, or who he is, is declared, the whole oeconomy of the mosaical law, rites, worship, and sacrifice is explained : and in all the doctrine of the person, office, and work of the Messiah is opened, the nature and demerit of the first sin is unfolded, the opinions and traditions of the antient and modern Jews are examined, their objections against the Lord Christ and the Gospel are answered, the time of the coming of the Messiah is stated, and the great fundamental truths of the Gospel vindicated : with an exposition and discourses on the two first chapters of the said epistle to the Hebrews / by J. Owen ...
London: printed by Robert White for Nathaniel Ponder, 1668
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.
§ 35 The first consideration of this nature is taken from the Author or Penman of any such Writing. The Books of the Old Testament were all of them written by Prophets or holy men inspired of God. Hence St. Peter calls the whole of it, [Greek or Hebrew] Prophecy, 2 Pet. 1.21. Prophecy delivered by men, acted or moved therein by the Holy Ghost. And though there be a distribution made of the several Books of it from the Subject Matter, into the Law, Prophets and Psalms, Luke 24.44. and often into the Law and Prophets on the same account, as Acts 26.2. Rom. 3.22. yet their Penmen being all equally Prophets, the whole in general is ascribed unto them and called ⟨p. 21⟩Prophecy, Rom. 1.8. Chap. 16.26. Luke 24.25. 2 Pet. 1.19. So were the Books of the New Testament written by Apostles, or men endowed with an Apostolical Spirit, and in their work equally inspired by the Holy Ghost; whence the Church is said to be built on the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone, Ephes. 2.20. If then the Author of any Writing acknowledgeth himself, or may otherwise be convinced, to have been neither Prophet nor Apostle, nor endued with the same infallible Spirit with them, his work how excellent soever other ways it may appear, must needs be esteemed a mere fruit of his own Skill, Diligence and Wisdom, and not any way to belong unto the Canon of the Scripture. This is the condition, for instance, of the second Book of Maccabees. In the close of it, the Author being doubtful what acceptance his endeavours and manner of Writing would find amongst his Readers, makes his excuse; and affirms, that he did his utmost to please them in his Style and Composition of his words. So he tells us before, Chap. 2. v. 24. that he did but Epitomize the History of Jason the Cyrenean, wherein he took great pains and labour. The truth is, he that had before commended Judas Machabaeus for offering Sacrifices for the dead (which indeed he did not, but for the living) no where appointed in the Law; and affirmed, that Jeremiah hid the holy Fire, Ark, Tabernacle and Altar of Incense in a Cave; that the same person, Antiochus, was killed at Nanea in Persia, Chap. 1. v. 16. and dyed in the Mountains of torments in his Bowels, as he was coming to Judea, Chap. 9. whom the first Book affirms to have dyed of sorrow at Babylon, Chap. 6. v. 16.