A90296:133
A vision of unchangeable free mercy, in sending the means of grace to undeserved…A vision of vnchangeable free mercy, in sending the means of grace to undeserved…
A vision of unchangeable free mercy, in sending the means of grace to undeserved sinners: wherein Gods uncontrollable eternal purpose, in sending, and continuing the gospel unto this nation, in the middest of oppositions and contingencies, is discovered: his distinguishing mercy, in this great work, exalted, asserted, against opposers, repiners: in a sermon preached before the Honourable House of Commons, April. 29. being the day of public humiliation. Whereunto is annexed, a short defensative about church-government, (with a country essay for the practice of church-government there) toleration and petitions about these things. / By John Owen, minister of the gospel at Coggeshall in Essex.A vision of vnchangeable free mercy, in sending the means of grace to undeserved sinners: wherein Gods uncontrollable eternall purpose, in sending, and continuing the gospel unto this nation, in the middest of oppositions and contingencies, is discovered: his distinguishing mercy, in this great work, exalted, asserted, against opposers, repiners: in a sermon preached before the Honourable House of Commons, April. 29. being the day of publike humiliation. Whereunto is annexed, a short defensative about church-government, (with a countrey essay for the practice of church-government there) toleration and petitions about these things. / By Iohn Owen, minister of the gospel at Coggeshall in Essex.
London: printed by G.M. for Philemon Stephens, 1646
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.
1.1 They want Jesus Christ: for he is revealed only by the Gospel. Augustine refused to delight in Cicero's Hortensius, because there was not in it the Name of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is all and in all, and where he is wanting, there can be no good.2 Hunger cannot truly be satisfied without manna, the bread of life, which is Jesus Christ: and what shall a hungry man do that hath no bread? Thirst cannot be quenched, without that water or living spring, which is Jesus Christ: and what shall a thirsty soul do without water? ⟨p. 38⟩A captive as we are all,3 cannot be delivered without redemption, which is Jesus Christ: and what shall the prisoner do without his ransom? Fools as we are, all cannot be instructed without wisdom, which is Jesus Christ, without him we perish in our folly. All building without him, is on the sand, which will surely fall: All working without him, is in the fire, where it will be consumed: All riches without him, have wings, and will away: mallem ruere cum Christo, quam regnare cum Caesare, 4said Luther, a dungeon with Christ is a Throne, and a Throne without Christ a hell. Nothing so ill, but Christ will compensate: the greatest evil in the world is sin, and the greatest sin was the first; and yet Gregory feared not to cry, O felix culpa quae talem meruit redemptorem, oh happy fault which found such a Redeemer; All mercies without Christ are bitter, and every cup is sweet that is seasoned but with a drop of his blood, he truly is amor & delitiae humani generis, the love and delight of the sons of men, without whom they must perish eternally: for there is no other name given unto them, whereby they may be saved, Act. 4. He is the way, men without him,5 are Cains, wanderers, vagabonds: He is the truth, men without him are liars, devils, who was so of old: