A53696:1860
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
AN EXPOSITION OF THE TWO FIRST CHAPTERS OF THE Epistle of PAUL the… › Chapter 1 › Verse IV.
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.
This is the design of the Apostle, which he pursues and makes out unto the end of this Chapter; and that we may rightly conceive of his intention, and the meaning of the Holy Ghost in the whole, we shall, before we consider his Proposition laid down in this fourth verse, or the ensuing confirmations of it, enquire in general what it is in Christ which he compareth with, and preferreth above the Angels, and wherein it is that he so exalts him.
The comparison entered on between the Lord Christ and Angels, must be either with respect unto their Natures, or unto their Dignity, Office, Power and Glory. If the comparison be of Nature with Nature, then it must be either in respect of the Divine or Humane Nature of Christ. If it should be of the Divine Nature of Christ, with the Nature of Angels, then it is not a comparison of Proportion, as between two Natures agreeing in any general kind of being, as do the nature of a man and a worm; but a comparison only manifesting a Difference and distance without any Proportion. So answereth Athanasius, Orat. 2. and Arian. But the truth is, the Apostle hath no design to prove by Arguments and Testimonies the Excellency of the Divine Nature above the ⟨p. 72⟩Angelical. There was no need so to do, nor do his Testimonies prove any such thing. Besides, speaking of Angels, the other part of the comparison, he treats not of their Nature, but their Office, Work and Employment; with their honourable and glorious Condition therein. Whereas therefore the Apostle produceth sundry Testimonies, confirming the Deity of the Son, he doth it not absolutely to prove the Divine Nature to be more excellent that the Angelica•, but only to manifest thereby the glorious condition of him, who is partaker of it, and consequently his Preeminence above Angels, or the Equity that it should be so.
The comparison entred on between the Lord Christ and Angels, must be either with respect unto their Natures, or unto their Dignity, Office, Power and Glory. If the comparison be of Nature with Nature, then it must be either in respect of the Divine or Humane Nature of Christ. If it should be of the Divine Nature of Christ, with the Nature of Angels, then it is not a comparison of Proportion, as between two Natures agreeing in any general kind of being, as do the nature of a man and a worm; but a comparison only manifesting a Difference and distance without any Proportion. So answereth Athanasius, Orat. 2. and Arian. But the truth is, the Apostle hath no design to prove by Arguments and Testimonies the Excellency of the Divine Nature above the