PREFACE
effort required in reading. Few passages in theological literature are as stirring as the mention of the immaculate humanity of Christ, conveyed in sanctified language on page 64. An account of the peculiar controversy that arose many years after the publication of this treatise can be found on page 276.—ED.
PREFACE
CHRISTIAN READER,
It has been six years since I made a promise to publish some meditations on the subject that you will find discussed in the following treatise. The reasons for the delay, which are not of public concern, need not be mentioned. Those who have been expecting this work from me have mostly been aware of my circumstances and activities, which have explained the postponement of their desires.
The only thing I have to add now is this: since the time I first delivered anything publicly on this subject (which led to the commitments I mentioned), I have had many opportunities to revisit and enhance the initial ideas. I have made improvements and additions to the main theme and content of the treatise, so that my initial obligation has become the mere occasion for what is now offered to the saints of God. I will not discuss the subject matter of this treatise here; I trust it will speak for itself, carrying a spiritual flavor and appeal to those whose hearts are not so preoccupied with other matters as to find the sweet things of the gospel bitter. The overall purpose of the treatise can be found, Christian reader, in the first chapters of the first part. I will not detain you here with
anything that will present itself to you in its proper place. Just know that the entire work has been earnestly prayed over, seeking God's grace for its usefulness to those who are interested in the topics mentioned therein.
John Owen Oxford, Christ Church College, July 10, 1657
TO THE READER
It is said that Alphonsus, the king of Spain, found sustenance and healing in reading Livy, and Ferdinand, the king of Sicily, in reading
Quintus Curtius. But here you have nobler nourishment, vastly richer delicacies, and incomparably more powerful remedies—I would even dare to say that the very food of angels is presented to you. As Pliny said, "permista deliciis auxilia"—things that contribute to grace and comfort, to a holy and vibrant life.
Such is this treatise—the only existing work on its significant and necessary subject. Its praises have long resounded in the churches and have been adorned with honorable reproaches from more than one English Bolsec. Its esteemed author, like the sun, is well-known in the world for his heavenly wisdom and laborious efforts. This treatise, like his many other works, is nothing less than manna to devout Christians, but to Socinians and their allies, it is as worthless as stone and serpent.
It is through persistence that I find myself saying more about this work of Dr. Owen's than I would have thought necessary. It is indeed necessary in our time, a time when "few cling to the Holy Scriptures, many content themselves with scholastic and senseless jargon, and most people anchor their faith to the teachings of their mentors."
I will only add this: among the countless books that emerge daily, there are few that find readership. Yet, if I understand correctly, there are not many readers who do not need this book.
In expressing this judgment, I do not consider myself a tyrant, which the philosopher rightly names as the worst of wild beasts. And I certainly do not flatter, which he justly calls the worst of tame beasts
Let those simple souls who deem the doctrine of distinct communion with the Divine Persons as novel and unfamiliar take note of the words of the Reverend Mr. Samuel Clarke (the Bible annotator) in his sermon on 1 John 1:7: "It is to be noted that there is a distinct fellowship with each of the persons of the blessed Trinity." Let them also pay attention to Mr. Lewis Stuckley's words in his preface to Mr.
Polwheil's book on Quenching the Spirit: "It is a most glorious truth, though considered by only a few, that believers have, or may have, distinct communion with the three persons—Father, Son, and Spirit.
This truth is attested by the finger of God and solemnly acknowledged by the early and best age of Christianity." To mention just one more, let them carefully read the second chapter of this treatise, and it is hoped that they will no longer "contra antidotum insanire"—no longer rage against God's holy medicinal truth, as St.
Augustine said he did while he was a Manichean, testifying in his own words that his error was his very god.
Reader, I am Your servant in Christ Jesus, Daniel Burgess