A90296:94
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.
Secondly, There is the same reason of the Reformation and the doctrine of the Gospel corrupted with error, and of the worship of God, collapsed with superstition, as of the first implantation of the Gospel: God in his just judgement of late ages, had sent upon the western world the efficacy of error, that they should believe lies, because they received not the love of the truth, as he fore-told, 2 Thes. 2. now whence is it, that we see some of the Nations thereof as yet suffered to walk in their own ways, others called to repentance, some wildernesses turned into green pastures for the flock of God, and some places made barren wildernesses for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? how comes it, that this Island glories in a Reformation, and Spain sits still in darkness? is it because we were better then they? or less engaged in Antichristian delusions? doubtless no: no Nation in the world drank deeper of that cup of abomination; ⟨p. 24⟩it was a proverbial speech amongst all, England was our good Ass (a beast of burden) for (Antichrist whom they called) the Pope: Nothing but the good pleasure of God and Christ freely coming to refine us, Mal. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4. caused this distinction.
Secondly, There is the same reason of the Reformation and the doctrine of the Gospel corrupted with errour, and of the worship of God, collapsed with superstition, as of the first implantation of the Gospel: God in his just judgement of late ages, had sent upon the western world the effi•acy of errour, that they should beleeve lies, because they received not the love of the truth, as he fore-told, 2 Thes. 2. now whence is it, that we see some of the Nations thereof as yet suffered to walke in their own waies, others called to repentance, some wildernesses turned into green pastures for the flock of God, and some places made barren wildernesses for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein? how comes it, that this Iland glories in a Reformation, and Spain sits still in darknes? is it because we were better then they? or lesse engaged in Antichristian delusions? doubtlesse no: no Nation in the world drank deeper of that cup of abomination;