Practical Exposition of the Ten Commandments, To the reader 2
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 truth 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 is 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 found; 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 fore revenge. In the mean time the voice of God unto us in all the miseries and desolations we hear of in the world, is, that unlesse we Repent, we shall all likewise perish. Neither are we altogether left without pregnant warnings among our selves in many severe dispentations 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 seemes to be unshaken, and the …u …ndation 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 …nto 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 a … holy Conversation, be not preserved in Individual Persons; the Profession of the purest Religion in Churches, or the highest Pre …ence 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 Professions 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 Declensi …, 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 be attempted; from and by them must it be discused 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 in …o …rringes 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 complyance with this Rule.
First, False and Corrupt Interpretations of the Law, do countenance many in Various Lusts; and the neglect of Manifold 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 Root of all True Holiness and Religion in the Apostatizing Church of the Jewes. VnderUnder a Pretence of Establishing a false Legal. Righteousness, they destroyed the true 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 Spirituallity, 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 its Works, are altogether Inconsistent: whereas therefore, many men, partly by their Natural Blindness, are no … 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 Accommodate the Law it self unto their own Lust and inclination. So evidently was it with the Pharisees of Old. Nor are the Presen … Apprehensions of many about these 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 straitned, 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 Apprehensions will insensibly weaken the Sense of a Necessity of Vniversal Mortification, and abate the Diligence of the mind in endeavouring after a renewed Spiritual Frame of Heart; by such means a De …lension from all true Holyness and Piety will be effectually promoted. For, when men once begin to sati …fi … themselves in the outward Duties of Divine Worship and Righteousness, which if alone, are but a dead Car …ass 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 suted 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 all Duties 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 Messia. 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 progress of Sin, what in them lieth; so for the reasons before-mentioned, that in this particular way is peculiarly seasonable and …d 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 appeare 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 Practice 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 Vnderstanding 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 80, 81, 82, 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 evill.
In the whole a full testimony is given, not onelyonly against the prostigate lives of many called Christians, but that barren careless profession also, which too many satisfie themselves withall; who pretend more unto the truth & 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, John Owen.