A53696:88
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.
And Secondly it every where becometh the Subject Matter it treateth of, which because it is various, it is impossible that the Style wherein it is expressed should be Uniform; when yet notwithstanding all its variety, it every where keeps its own property, to be in Gravity and Authority still like unto its self, and unlike to, or distinct from all other Writings whatsoever. Whence Austin rightly of the Holy Penmen;1 Audeo dicere omnes qui rectè intelligunt quod illi loquuntur, simul intelligere non eos aliter loqui debuisse. I dare say, that whosoever understands what they speak, will also understand that they ought not to have spoken otherwise. And Origen of the Writings of St. Paul in particular; If any one saith he, give himself to the diligent Reading of his Epistles, [Greek or Hebrew], I know full well, that either he will admire his great Conceptions and Sentences under a plain and vulgar Style, or he will show himself very ridiculous. The things treated of in the Scripture, are for the most part Heavenly, Spiritual, Supernatural, Divine; and nothing can be more fond than to look for such things to be expressed in a Flourish of Words, and with various Ornaments of Speech, fit to lead away the minds of men from that which they are designed wholly to be gathered unto the Admiration and Contemplation of. Bodies that have a native Beauty and Harmony in the Composition of their parts, are advantaged more by being clothed with fit Garments, than by the Ornaments of gay Attire. And the Spiritual Native Beauty of Heavenly Truths, is better conveyed unto the minds of men, by Words and Expressions fitted unto it, plainly, and simply, than by any Ornaments of enticing Speech whatever; and therefore we say with Austin, that there is not any thing delivered in the Scripture, but just as it ought to be, and as the Matter requires.
And Secondly it every where becometh the Subject Matter it treateth of, which because it is various, it is impossible that the Style wherein it is expressed should be Ʋniform; when yet notwithstanding all its variety, it every where keeps its own property, to be in Gravity and Authority still like unto its self, and unlike to, or distinct from all other Writings whatsoever. Whence Austin rightly of the Holy Penmen;1 Audeo dicere omnes qui rectè intelligunt quod illi loquuntur, simul intelligere non eos aliter loqui debuisse. I dare say, that whosoever understands what they speak, will also understand that they ought not to have spoken otherwise. And Origen of the Writings of St. Paul in particular; If any one saith he, give himself to the diligent Reading of his Epistles, , I know full well, that either he will admire his great Conceptions and Sentences under a plain and vulgar Style, or he will shew himself very ridiculous. The things treated of in the Scripture, are for the most part Heavenly, Spiritual, Supernatural, Divine; and nothing can be more fond than to look for such things to be expressed in a Flourish of Words, and with various Ornaments of Speech, fit to lead away the minds of men from that which they are designed wholly to be gathered unto the Admiration and Contemplation of. Bodies that have a native Beauty and Harmony in the Composition of their parts, are advantaged more by being clothed with fit Garments, than by the Ornaments of gay Attire. And the Spiritual Native Beauty of Heavenly Truths, is better conveyed unto the minds of men, by Words and Expressions fitted unto it, plainly, and simply, than by any Ornaments of enticing Speech whatever; and therefore we say with Austin, that there is not any thing delivered in the Scripture, but just as it ought to be, and as the Matter requires.