A53708:262
Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ
Meditations and discourses on the glory of Christ, in his person, office, and grace with the differences between faith and sight applied unto the use of them that believe / by the late Reverend John Owen, D.D.
London: printed by B.A., 1691
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
1. THE Eternal Disposing Cause of the whole work wherein the Lord Christ was engaged by the Susception of this Office, for the Redemption and Salvation of the Church, is the Love of the Father. Hereunto it is constantly ascribed in the Scripture. And this Love of the Father acted it self in his Eternal Decrees, before the foundation of the world, Eph. 1. 4. and afterwards in the sending of his Son to render it effectual, Joh. 3. 16. Originally, it is his Eternal Election of a Portion of mankind to be brought unto the enjoyment of himself, through the Mystery of the Blood of Christ, and the Sanctification of the Spirit, 2 Thes. 2. 13, 16. 1 Ephes. 1. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 1 Pet. 1. 2.
THIS Eternal Act of the Will of God the Father, doth not contain in it an actual approbation of, and complacency in the state and condition of those that are elected; but only designeth that for them on the Account whereof, they shall be accepted and approved. And it is called his Love on sundry Accounts.
1. BECAUSE it is an act suited unto that glorious Excellency of his Nature, wherein he is Love; for God is Love, 1 John 4. 8, 9. And the first Egress of the Divine Properties must therefore be in an act of communicative Love. And whereas this Election being an Eternal Act of the Will of God, can have no moving cause but what is in himself, if we could look into all the Treasures of the Divine Excellencies, we should find none whereunto it could be so properly ascribed, as unto Love. Wherefore,