The Works of John Owen, Vol. 16: The Church and The Bible
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
John Owen counts as one of the most influential and inspiring theologians of the seventeenth century. His works capture the essence of theological inquiry in Puritan England, and have shaped and influenced theological reflection ever since. Owen was a proficient writer, composing numerous theological treatises, meditations, discourses, and sermons. His reflections are made more compelling by the context of political turmoil and religious persecution in which he wrote. God still speaks, says Owen, when the world is in flux and the church finds itself in seeming peril—words as important to his original audience as they are to contemporary readers. His writings and teachings spoke to the struggles in his time, and have continued to inspire the generations that have followed.
In this volume, Owen concludes his treatises on ecclesiology by examining the sacraments and the role of the Gospel in the church. He also emphasizes the need for church discipline and doctrinal correctness. Portions of volume sixteen retain Owen's original, untranslated Latin works.
- Examines role of the Gospel in the church
- Parts of this volume contain Owen's original, untranslated Latin works
- The Nature of a Gospel Church
- Tracts on Excommunication, Church Censures, Baptism, etc.
- Divine Original, Authority, Self-evidencing Light, and Power of the Scriptures
- Posthumous Sermons
- Latin Works
- Indices
Top Highlights
“2. The second duty of a pastor towards his flock is continual fervent prayer for them,” (Page 77)
“The rule of the church is, in general, the exercise of the power or authority of Jesus Christ, given unto it, according unto the laws and directions prescribed by himself, unto its edification.” (Page 31)
“This excommunication, as we have proved before, is an act of church-authority exerted in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; and if so, then it is an act of the officers of the church,—namely, so for as it is authoritative,—for there is no authority in the church, properly so called, but what resides in the officers of it.” (Page 165)
“Sundry things are required unto this work and duty of pastoral preaching; as,—(1.) Spiritual wisdom and understanding in the mysteries of the gospel, that they may declare unto the church ‘all the counsel of God’ and ‘the unsearchable riches of Christ:’” (Pages 75–76)
“Whether the same Holy Spirit hath not distinguished this office of elders into these two sorts,—namely, those who are called unto teaching and rule also, and those who are called unto rule only? which we affirm.” (Page 115)
For solidity, profundity, massiveness and majesty in exhibiting from Scripture God’s ways with sinful mankind there is no one to touch him.
—J. I. Packer, author
To have known the pastoral ministry of John Owen . . . (albeit in written form) has been a rich privilege; to have known Owen’s God an even greater one.
—Sinclair Ferguson, professor, Redeemer Seminary, Dallas, Texas
John [Owen], English theologian, was without doubt not only the greatest theologian of the English Puritan movement but also one of the greatest European Reformed theologians of his day, and quite possibly possessed the finest theological mind that England ever produced.
—Carl R. Trueman
- Title: Works of John Owen: Volume 16
- Author: John Owen
- Series: Works of John Owen
- Volume: 16
- Publisher: T&T Clark
- Print Publication Date: 1862
- Logos Release Date: 2008
- Era: era:reformation
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Theology › Early works to 1800; Puritans
- Resource ID: LLS:WORKSOWEN16
- Resource Type: text.monograph.collected-work
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-12T07:36:58Z
John Owen (1616–1683) is considered one of the most influential and inspiring theologians of the seventeenth century. He entered Queen's College, Oxford, at the age of twelve and completed his M.A. in classics and theology at the age of nineteen.
His first parish was at Fordham in Essex where he became convinced that the Congregational polity was the scriptural form of church government. In the 1640s he became chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, the new "Protector of England," and traveled with him on his expeditions to Ireland and Scotland.
In 1651 he was appointed dean of Christ Church and in 1652 made Vice-Chancellor of Oxford—positions which allowed him to train ministers for the Cromwellian state church. Owen later moved to London and led the Puritans through the bitter years of religious and political persecution—experiences which shaped his theological inquiry, pastoral reflection, and preaching. Owen authored one of the richest commentaries on the book of Hebrews, An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews which are also included in The Works of John Owen along with sermons and essays.