A53713:106
Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Of communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, each person distinctly in love, grace, and consolation, or, The saints fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, unfolded by John Owen ...Of communion with God the Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost, each person distinctly in love, grace, and consolation, or, The saints fellowship with the Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost, unfolded by John Owen ...
Oxford: printed by A. Lichfield for Tho. Robinson, 1657
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.
Ob. But you will say, this comes nigh to that Blasphemy, §. 27 that God loves his People in their sinning, as well as in their strictest obedience: and if so, who will care to serve him more, or to walk with him unto wellpleasing.
Ans. There are few Truths of Christ, which from some, or other, have not received like entertainment with this. Terms and Appellations are at the Will of every imposer: things are not at all varied by them. The Love of God in it self, is the eternal purpose and act of his Will. This is no more changeable, then God himself. If it were, no flesh could be saved: but it ochangeth not, and we are not consumed. What then! loves he his people in their sinning? Yes, his People, not their sinning. Alters 2he not his Love towards them? Not the purpose of his will, but the dispensations of his Grace. He rebukes them, he chastens them, he hides his face from them, he smites them, he fills them with a sense of indignation; but woe, woe would it be to us, should he change in his love, or take away his kindness from us: Those very things which seem to be demonstrations of the change of his Affections towards his, do at clearly proceed from Love, as those which seem to be the most genuine Issues thereof. But will not this encourage to sin? He never tasted of the Love of God, that can seriously make this objection. The doctrine of Grace may be turned into wantonness, the Principle cannot: I shall not wrong the Saints, by giving other answer to this objection. Detestation of sin in any may well consist, with the Acceptation of their persons, and their designation to life eternal.
Ans. There are few Truths of Christ, which from some, or other, have not received like entertainment with this. Termes and Appellations are at the Will of every imposer: things are not at all varied by them. The Love of God in it selfe, is the eternall purpose and act of his Will. This is no more changeable, then God himselfe. If it were, no flesh could be saved: but it o