with arguments; and it will furnish the minister of the sanctuary with appropriate materials, when he appears before the public on these interesting topics. These are the considerations which induced me to publish the following work by subscription; "a work," to express myself in the language of a learned Episcopal divine, "without comparison the best written in the English language on this momentous subject."

The numerous works of Dr. Owen cover the whole field of Theology. Though all his works are invaluable; yet as some subjects are more important than others, and as no subject is of more vital interest than the Person of Christ, and as this treatise on it is so masterly, and rich, it may be considered as one of the most valuable of the treasures scattered throughout his writings. It is indeed an antepast of heaven. It is related that the treatise on "the Glory of Christ," was written near the close of his life, and was passing through the press when he lay on his dying bed. Word was brought to him that the last sheet was then finished, when he lifted up his eyes, and said, "I am now going to behold the Glory of Christ in a manner such as I have never yet seen him." Dr. Owen, great as he was in learning, did not indulge himself in vain speculations, but exerted his power in laying open divine, by divine truth. Hence he is placed in high distinction and elevation by all orthodox ministers, and he is sometimes termed "the prince of Divines."

For the loss of my time connected with the labour of procuring subscriptions, and delivering the book, together with the expense of publication, I never expect to be paid in this world. May the blessing of the Son of God, the uncreated angel of the eternal covenant, whom my soul loves, and whose praise I have proclaimed, and desire to proclaim in the great congregation, rest in life and in death upon me, and upon all my subscribers to whom the community is indebted for the republication of this work. May HE, whose person and glory are here exhibited, irradiate the minds, and sanctify the hearts of all those into whose hands this work may fall. May the saving knowledge of Jesus cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.

JOHN HENDRICKS.

Rhinebeck, September, 1839.

CHAP. I. Peter's confession, Mat. xvi. 16. Conceits of the Papists thereon. The substance and excellency of that confession,

49

CHAP. II Opposition made unto the church as built on the person of Christ, 57 CHAP. III. The person of Christ the most ineffable effect of divine wisdom and goodness. Thence the next cause of all true religion. In what sense it is

so,

69

CHAP. IV. The person of Christ the foundation of all the counsels of God, 80

CHAP. V. The person of Christ the great representative of God and his will, 94

CHAP. VI. The person of Christ the great repository of sacred truth. Its relation thereunto,

112

CHAP. VII. Power and efficacy communicated unto the office of Christ for the

salvation of the church from his person,

119

CHAP. VIII. The faith of the church under the Old Testament in and concerning the person of Christ,

138

CHAP. IX. Honour due to the person of Christ; the nature and causes of it, 142

CHAP. X. The principal of the assignation of divine honour unto the person of Christ, in both the branches of it; which is faith in him,

162

CHAP. XI. Obedience unto Christ, the nature and causes of it,

181

CHAP. XII. The especial principle of obedience unto the person of Christ, which

is love. Its truth and reality vindicated,

186

CHAP. XIII. The nature, operations, and causes of divine love, as it respects the

person of Christ,

200

CHAP. XIV. Motives unto the love of Christ,

215

CHAP. XV. Conformity unto Christ, and following his example,

224

CHAP. XVI. An humble inquiry into, and prospect of the infinite wisdom of God, in the constitution of the person of Christ, and the way of salvation thereby,

こ

:

236

CHAP. XVII. Other evidences of divine wisdom, in the contrivance of the work of redemption in and by the person of Christ, in effects evidencing a condecency thereunto,

Page 271

CHAP. XVIII. The nature of the person of Christ, and the hypostatical union of his natures declared,

293

CHAP. XIX. The exaltation of Christ; with his present state and condition in glory, during the continuation of his mediatory office,

309

CHAP. XX. The exercise of the mediatory office of Christ in heaven,

330

THE GLORY OF CHRIST.

CHAP. I. The explanation of the text,

373

CHAP. II. The glory of the person of Christ, as the only representative of God unto the church,

384

CHAP. III. The glory of Christ in the mysterious constitution of his person, 408 CHAP. IV. The glory of Christ in his susception of the office of a Mediator. First, In his condescension,

425

CHAP. V. The glory of Christ in his love,

439

CHAP. VI. The glory of Christ in the discharge of his mediatory office, 448 CHAP. VII. The glory of Christ in his exaltation, after the accomplishment of the work of mediation in this world,

454

CHAP. VIII. Representations of the glory of Christ under the Old Testament, 461 CHAP. IX. The glory of Christ in his intimate conjunction with the church, 467 CHAP. X. The glory of Christ in the communication of himself unto believ

ers,

478

CHAP. XI. The glory of Christ in the recapitulation of all things in him, 490 CHAP. XII. Differences between our beholding the glory of Christ by faith in this world, and by sight in heaven. The first of them explained,

499

CHAP. XIII. The second difference between our beholding the glory of Christ by faith in this world, and by sight in heaven,

519

CHAP. XIV. Other differences between our beholding the glory of Christ by

faith in this world, and by sight in heaven,

544

CHAP. XV. Application of the foregoing meditations concerning the glory of Christ. First, In an exhortation unto such as are not yet partakers of him, 554 CHAP. XVI. The way and means of the recovery of spiritual decays, and of obtaining fresh springs of grace,

THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR.

He derived his pedigree from Lewis Owen of Kywn, near Dolle-
gelle, Esq. who was lineally descended from a younger son of Kewelyn
ap Gwrgan, prince of Glamorgan, lord of Cardiffe; this being the
last family of the five regal tribes of Wales. Henry Owen, the fa-
ther of the Doctor, was for some time minister at Stadham in Oxford-
shire, and reckoned a strict puritan. John Owen was his second
son, who was born at Stadham, 1616. Such was his proficiency in
learning, that he was admitted to the university at about 12 years of
age. He then pursued his studies with such diligence, that for se-
veral years he allowed himself but four hours sleep in a night. His
whole aim and ambition was, as he himself afterwards confessed with
shame and sorrow, to rise to some eminence in church or state, to
each of which he was indifferent. When Laud imposed several su-
perstitious rites on the university of Oxford, Mr. Owen had received
so much light, that his conscience could not submit to them; and
God had now made such gracious impressions on his heart as in-
spired him with a zeal for the purity of his worship, and reformation
in the church. The change of his judgment soon discovered itself
on this occasion; whereupon his friends forsook him as one infected
with puritanism, and he became so obnoxious to the Laudensian par-
ty that he was forced to leave the college. About this time he was
exercised with many perplexing thoughts about his spiritual state,
which, with his outward troubles, threw him into a deep melancholy,
which lasted three months, and it was near five years before he at-
tained to a settled peace. When the civil war commenced, he own-
ed the parliament's cause; which his uncle, who had supported him
at college, being a zealous royalist, so vehemently resented, that he
turned him at once out of his favour, and settled his estate upon ano-
ther person. He then lived as chaplain with a person of honour,
who, though a royalist, used him with great civility; but, he going at
length into the king's army, Mr. Owen went to London, where he
was a perfect stranger. He went one Lord's-day to Aldermanbury
church, with a view to hear Mr. Calamy; but, after waiting a long
time, a country minister (of whom he never could hear any thing
any more) came into the pulpit, and preached on Matth. viii. 26.
which discourse was blest for the removing of his doubts, and laid
the foundation of that solid peace and comfort which he afterwards
enjoyed as long as he lived. His bodily health was now restored,
and he wrote his book called A Display of Arminianism, which made
way for his advancement. The committee for ejecting scandalous
ministers, presented him, on account of it, with the living of Fordham
in Essex, where he continued a year and a half, to the great satisfac-
tion of the parish and country round about. On a report that the se-
questred incumbent was dead, the patron, who had no regard for Mr.
Owen, presented the living to another; whereupon the people at Cog-
geshall, about five miles distant, invited him to be their minister, and
the Earl of Warwick, the patron, readily gave him the living;
where he preached to a more judicious and more numerous congre-
gation, (seldom fewer than 2000) with great success. Hitherto he
had been a Presbyterian; but upon further inquiry he was convinced
that the Congregational plan was most agreeable to the New Testa-
ment; he accordingly formed a church upon it, which long flourish-
ed, and subsists in good condition to this day. So great a man
could not be concealed. He was sent for to preach before the par-
liament, which he did April 29, 1646, on Acts xvi. 2. and several
times afterwards on special occasions, particularly the very day after
the death of Charles I. His discourse was on Jer. xv. 19, 20. which
deserves to be recorded as a perpetual monument of his integrity,
wisdom, and modesty. Soon after, calling upon General Fairfax,
(with whom he became acquainted at the siege of Colchester) he met
with Cromwell, who laying his hands upon his shoulders, said to
him, Sir, you are the person I must be acquainted with;' and from this
time contracted an intimate friendship with him, which continued to
his death. He informed him of his intended expedition into Ire-
land, and insisted upon his company there to reside in the college at
Dublin. With great reluctance, and after much deliberation, Mr.
Owen complied, and continued there about a year and a half, preach-
ing and overseeing the affairs of the college. He then returned to
Coggeshall, but was soon called to preach at Whitehall.

In September 1650, Cromwell required him to go with him into
Scotland, and he being averse to go, procured an order of Parlia-
ment. He staid at Edinburgh about half a year; and once more
returned to his people at Coggeshall, with whom he hoped to have
spent the remainder of his days. But he was soon afterwards called
by the House of Commons to the deanry of Christ-Church, Oxford,