The Law Unsealed, To the reader 2 – To the reader 3
TO THE READER.
THe Decay of Religion at this day in the World, is come to ſuch an height, as that it is obſerved by all who pretend unto any Concernment therein, and Complained of by Many. By Religion we underſtand the Power of it in the Hearts and Lives of Men, and not any Outward Profeſſion of it only; much leſſe the generall pretence that is made unto it, in them by whom its power is openly denied. Neither is it manifeſt onelyonly in the fruits of Sinfull ſecurity and the flagitious lives of all ſorts of men, but begins to be ſo alſo in its effects, in the preſent ſtate of things in the World filled with Miſery and Confuſion: For the Wrath of God is many wayes revealed from Heaven againſt the ungodlineſs and unrighteouſneſs of men, who hold the …th in unrighteouſneſs: and in many Nations the Viſible tokens and demonſtrations of it do abound. For, there is in them no peace; to them that go out, nor to them that come in; but great vexation is upon all their Inhabitants. Nation is deſtroyed of Nation, and City of City; for God doth vex them with all adverſity. For whatever may be the thoughts and counſells of men in theſe things, the Judgements of God are not meerly ſubſervient unto their luſts and paſſions; it i… his own controverſie with the world for neglect of the Goſpell and oppoſition unto it that he pleadeth in them, neither can our preſent reſpite in the enjoyment of outward mercies be any evidence unto us, that we are not the objects of the ſame diſpleaſure. All men are in the ſame condition among whom the ſame ſins and the ſame relapſes from the power of religion are ſound; for God is no Reſpecter of perſons, It is indeed an effect of divine patience, which if abuſed unto ſecurity, will iſſue in a more ſore revenge. In the mean time the Ʋoice of God unto us in all the miſeries and deſolations we hear of in the world, is, that unleſs we Repent, we shall all likewiſe perish. Neither are we altogether left without pregnant warnings among our ſelves in many ſevere diſpenſations of divine providence. And thoſe who are not utterly hardened through the deceitfulneſſe of Sin, may eaſily ſee the hand of God lifted up in various intimations of his diſpleaſure. But hitherto it muſt be acknowledged, and ought to be bewailed, that the Security of the world ſeems to be unshaken, and the inundation of Sin not to be ſtemmed in the leaſt meaſure.
What are the reaſons and cauſes of the preſent general defection, from the Truth, Power, Holineſſe and Glory of the Goſpel or Chriſtian Religion, I have enquired into and declared in a peculiar Treatiſe deſigned unto that end. Some few things ſuited unto the preſent occaſion may be here obſerved. All decays in Religion begin in individuall perſons, though it extend it ſelf unto families, and ſo the infection ſpreads unto greater ſocieties, Ecleſiaſticall and National. For ſuch alſo is the order in the genuine progreſſe of the power of Religion whereunto it is oppoſed. The teſtimony that God gave unto Abraham was, that keeping the way of the Lord himſelf, he taught and commanded his Children and houſehold after him ſo to do. And if the living power of Godlineſſe expreſſed in the Hiſtory of Chriſt, and the Goſpel in an holy Conuerſation, be not preſerved in Individual Perſons; the Profeſſion of the pureſt Religion in Churches, or the higheſt Pretence unto it in Publick, National Acts are neither uſeful to the Souls of men, nor do any way tend unto the Glory of God. And the ſole uſe of all outward Religious Order and Profeſſion is loſt, where they are not applyed unto the Ingenerating and promoting of Holyneſs, or Evangelical Obedience in particular Perſons. Wherefore if any Revival of the Power of Religion in the World may be yet hoped for; if any ſtop may be put unto the Fatal Declenſion, which it ſuffers under, the forming and reſtoring of the Principles of it in the Hearts and Conſciences of ſuch Perſons is the way whereby it muſt …e attempted; from and by them muſt it be diffuſed into Families, and greater Socities: Here muſt all Reformation begin, or in the uſe of means ſuited thereunto. How this may be effected, we have one inſtance among many, propoſed unto us in the enſuing Diſcourſe.
The General and undoubted Reaſon of all ſins and miſcarriages amongſt men, is the neglect of the Holy and Perfect Rule of Obedience, or of the Law of God, without a recourſe unto a Diligent Conſcientious Attendance thereunto, without a due Senſe of the… Authority of God therein; and of the Account which they muſt shortly give of their regard unto it; there can be no juſt Expectation of the Re-introduction of the Power and Glory of Religion. And many wayes there are, whereby men are diverted from the due Conſideration of, and holy complyan…e with this Rule.
Firſt, Falſe and Corrupt Interpretations of the Law, do countenance many in Various Luſts; and the neglect of Mani old Duties. The Phariſees of Old repreſenting the Deſign and Senſe of the Law, as regarding Outward Acts and Practices only, laid an Axe to the Roo: of all True H lineſs and Religion in the Apoſiatizing Church of the Jewes. Under a Pretence of Eſtablishing a falſe Legal Righteouſneſs, they deſtroyed the … Righteouſneſs of the Law. And theſe things go together alwayes. Thoſe who plead for a Righteouſneſs of their own, as it were by the Works of the Law, do conſtantly by Falſe Gloſſes and Interpretations deſtroy the Spirituality, and all Animating Principles of the Law it ſelf. For, rightly to underſtand the Senſe of the Law, and to ſeek for Righteouſneſs by it, or as it were by i… Works, are altogether Inconſiſtent: whereas therefore, many men, partly by their Natural Blindneſs, are not able to diſcerne the Spiritual Senſe of the Law, and partly out of their Diſlike of, and Enmity unto it, will not comply with the Light which is tender▪d unto them, they have ſought by Falſe interpretations to Accommodase the Law it ſelf unto their own Luſt and inclination. So evidently was it with the Phariſees of Old. Nor are the Preſent Apprehenſions of many about thoſe things much different from theirs. For ſuch Expoſitions of the Law are embraced, wherein there is little Reſpect unto the Spiritual frame of the Heart, or the Internal Actings of the Adverſe Principles of Sin and Obedience: The Extent of the Commandement is alſo by many exceedingly ſtrained, nor will any thing ſcarcely be allowed to be Commanded or Forbidden in it, but what the Letter doth plainly expreſs. And it is evident how ſuch Apprehenſion, will inſenſibly weaken the Senſe of a Neceſſity of Univerſal Mortification, and abate the Diligence of the mind in endeavouring after a renewed Spiritual Frame of Heart; by ſuch means a Declenſion from all true Holineſs and Piety will be effectually promoted. For, when men once begine to ſatisfie themſelves in the outward Duties of Divine Worship and Righteouſneſs, which if alone, are but a dead Carcaſs of Religion, they will not long abide in a Conſcientious Obſervation even of them.
2. The ſeparation of the Duties of the Law from the Grace of the Goſpel, will have the like effect. For this will quickly iſſue in a pretence of Morality, ſet up its oppoſition unto true evangelical Obedience. And there is no way whereby the whole Rule of Duty can be rendred more ineffectual and uſeleſs unto the ſouls of men. For take away that Reconciliation which is made in Chriſt between the Law and the Goſpel, and it will prove a killing Letter only. And ſo far as this imagination is gone about it quickly manifeſts it ſelf in its Fruits. For every attempt of men againſt the Grace of God will iſſue in the ruine of morality among themſelves.
Such Apprehenſions as theſe in a coincidence with abounding tentations ſuited unto the Luſts of all ſorts of men, cannot but promote the Intereſt and prevalency of Sin and Antichriſt in the World. However manifeſt it is▪ that that is a great neglect and contempt of the holy Rule of obedience in the moſt, with great ignorance and miſunderſtanding of the deſigne and ſenſe of it in many. Wherefore an upright endeavour to Declare and Vindicate the Authority and meaning of it, as alſo to make Application of it unto the Conſciences of profeſſed Chriſtians, to direct them in, and preſs them unto the conſtant performance of obedience, cannot but be eſteemed ſeaſonable, and through the bleſſing of God may be ſingularly uſeful. So our Lord Jeſus Chriſt himſelf obſerving the miſchief that had befaln the Church by the falſe expoſition of the Law, obtruded on the people by the Phariſees, began his Prophetical Miniſtry in the vindication of it from their corrupting gloſſes, reſtoring its priſtine Crown of purity and ſpirituality, as the Jews have yet a Tradition, that it shall be ſo in the dayes of the Meſſiah. And on the ſame conſideration it cannot be denied, but that the Endeavour of this worthy ſervant of Chriſt in the work of the Goſpel, the Authour of the enſuing Expoſition of the Decalogue, is both ſeaſonable and worthy of Acceptation. For as other endeavours alſo are required in all them on whom it is incumbent, to take care in their reſpective ſtations for the improvement of Holineſs in the Church▪ and the obſtruction of the progre…s of Sin…, what in them lyeth; ſo for the reaſons before-mentioned, that in this particular way is peculiarly ſeaſonable and uſeful. And I am perſwaded, that every pious, humble and unprejudiced Reader, will judge that much benefit may be obtained by his performance. Some may eaſily ſee how short that meaſure of Duties which they have preſcribed unto themſelves doth come, of what is indiſpencibly required of them; and others may take a plain proſpect of that whole Scheme of Obedience in principles, matter, manner, and end which they ſincerely endeavour to come up unto. And ſundry things there are which appear to me with a notable degree of Excellency in the whole diſcourſe.
1. Plainneſs and perſpicuity in teaching, ſeems to have been deſigned by the Authour throughout the whole book. Hereby it is accommodated unto the meanest Capacities, which is the greateſt excellency of Diſcourſes of this nature as unto outward Forme and Order. For, whereas its only end is to direct the Practiſe of all ſorts of Chriſtians, all Ornaments of Speech, every thing that diverts from plainneſs, ſobriety, and gravity, is impertinent thereunto. Wherefore as the things themſelves treated of, are ſuch, as the moſt wiſe, knowing, and learned among Believers ought to be exerciſed in continually: So, the way and manner of their Delivery or Declaration, is accommodated unto the underſtanding and Capacity of the meaneſt of them that are ſo, that benefit may redound unto all.
2. In particular inſtances and caſes relating to daily practiſe are ſo diſtinctly propoſed, ſtated and determined, as that the whole is a compleat Chriſtian directory in our walking before God in all duties of obedience; let the pious Reader ſingle out any one duty or head of duties to make his tryall upon, and if I greatly miſtake not, he will diſcerne with what wiſdome, and from what deep experience his plain directions are managed, and do proceed. As to give a particular inſtance, let him conſider what he diſcovereth concerning publick Prayer, and the Miſcarriages therein, which men are lyable unto, pages 52. 53. or apply himſelf unto what he ſuppoſes himſelf more immediately concerned in, unaffected plainneſs, perſpicuous brevity, with ſolidity of judgment, will every where repreſent themſelves unto him.
3. Adde hereunto, that conſtant reſpect which is had in the whole diſcourſe unto the heart and inward principles of Obedience, with the contrary actings of the flesh, and temptations of all ſorts. And thence it is that theſe Diſcourſes, (though delivered with all plainneſs of ſpeech) will not be well underſtood by any, but thoſe who in ſome meaſure have their ſenſes exerciſed to diſcern both good and …vill▪
In the whole a full teſtimony is given, not onelyonly againſt the profligate lives of many called Chriſtians, but that barren careleſs profeſſion alſo, which too many ſatisfie themſelves withall; who pretend more unto the truth and power of Religion. And as theſe who are ſincere in their obedience, may in the examination of themſelves, by the rules here laid down, diſcern the decays which poſſibly they have fallen under in this hour of temptation which is come on the face of the earth, to try them that dwell therein; ſo alſo may they be directed in their Chriſtian courſe unto the glory of God, and the Comfort of their own Souls: Which that all may be, is the hearty deſire of,
Chriſtian Reader, Thy ſervant in the Work of the LORD, IOHN OWEN
TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
THE excellent and uſefull labors of this worthy Author, have long ſince obtained the beſt Epiſtle of commendation; even that which the great Apoſtle Paul accounted ſo compleat a Teſtimony, as made all other commendatory Epiſtles in his eſteem to appear ſuperfluous; that, I mean, mentioned by him, 2 Corinth. 3. where he tells the believing orinthians, that they were his Epiſtle, meaning that their Converſion and graces wrought in them by his miniſtry, gave a ſufficient witneſs to the worth and dignity thereof. This Epiſtle of commendation (I ſay) God hath ſo eminently beſtowed upon the miniſterial endeavours of this holy man Mr. Durham, both in Preſs and Pulpit, that the prefixing my Epiſtle of commendation to this excellent Expoſition of the Decalogue, was judged by my ſelf to be but an attempt, to make the Sun appear more reſplendent by the faint and feeble light of a Candle. But ſince ſome are pleaſed to put an undeſerved value upon my approbation of this worthy undertaking, I could not but upon this occaſion ſignifie that in my apprehenſion, the enſuing Treatiſe its deſign and tendency ſo advanceth holineſs of heart and life, and withal is compiled with that ſtrength and clearneſs of judgment, and holy warmth of affection, as that (by Gods bleſſing) it may preſerve and reduce many in this ſinful age from thoſe impieties, that ſo abound therein and may prove an excellent antidote againſt them, as by the good providence of God, it is brought forth in a time wherein't is coetameous with them. In the hopefull expectation whereof, I commit thee and this worthy work to the bleſſing of God, in whom
I am thy faithful Friend to ſerve thy Soul WIL: JENKYN. London, Novemb. 1675.