A53696:320
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.
The very first Apprehensions of the Nature of God, and the Condition of the Universe declare, that man was formed free from sin, which is his voluntary subduction of himself from under the Government of his Maker, and free from Trouble, which is the effect of his displeasure on that Subduction or Deviation, in which two, the whole nature of Evil consisteth; so that it must have some other Original.
The very first Apprehensions of the Nature of God, and the Condition of the Ʋniverse declare, that man was formed free from sin, which is his voluntary subduction of himself from under the Government of his Maker, and free from Trouble, which is the effect of his displeasure on that Subduction or Deviation, in which two, the whole nature of Evil consisteth; so that it must have some other Original.
Furthermore, In this first Effort of immense Power did God glorify himself, as in the § 3 Wisdom and Goodness wherewith it was accompanied, so also in that Righteousness whereby as the Supreme Rector and Governor of All, he allotted unto his Rational Creatures, the Law of their Obedience, annexing a Reward thereunto in a mixture of Justice and Bounty. For, that Obedience should be rewarded is of Justice, but that such a Reward should be proposed unto the temporary Obedience of a creature, as is the eternal enjoyment of God, was of mere Grace and Bounty. And that things should have continued in the state and condition wherein they were created, I mean ⟨p. 70⟩as unto mankind, supposing an accomplishment of the Obedience prescribed unto them, is manifest from the very first notions we have of the nature of God; for we do no sooner conceive that he is, but withal we assent that he is the Rewarder of them that diligently seek him, Heb. 11.6. which is essential unto him, and inseparable from his Nature as the Sovereign Ruler of the works of his hands. And thus was the continuance, of this Blessed State of the Creation of all things provided for; and laid in a tendency unto farther Glory; being absolutely exclusive of any distance between God and man, besides that which is natural, necessary, and infinite, from their Beings. There was no sin on the one side, nor disfavour on the other. And this secured the Order of the Universe. For what should cause any confusion there, whilst the Law, of its Creation was observed, which could not be transgressed by Brute and inanimate Creatures.