Ed Walsh
Puritan Board Senior
Greetings,
I am reading volume II of The Works of John Owen and finding, as I always do with Owen's Works, the matter Spiritually delicious beyond words.
Presently I am meditating on Part I, Chapter 3, Of the peculiar and distinct communion which the saints have with the Father.
Below is Owen's outline of the chapter, wherein my words here—The communion the saints have distinctly with the Father is eminently one of love—His love to us, and our return of love to Him.
I find myself frustrated to tears in how briefly to relate Owen's teaching that we do indeed have fellowship with the Father in LOVE. So I decided not to try directly, but instead, quote from the opening two paragraphs of Chapter 4 to show negatively that our relationship with the Father often falls short what it should be with sad consequences. I do this in the hope that you will download the PDF of all four chapters of Part 1 and read for yourself the wondrous, eternal, never changing love the Father has for you.
Owen, J. (n.d.). The works of John Owen. (W. H. Goold, Ed.) (Vol. 2, pp. 31–32). Edinburgh: T&T Clark.
I am reading volume II of The Works of John Owen and finding, as I always do with Owen's Works, the matter Spiritually delicious beyond words.
OF
COMMUNION
WITH
GOD THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST,
EACH PERSON DISTINCTLY,
IN LOVE, GRACE, AND CONSOLATION;
OR,
THE SAINTS’ FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER, SON, AND
HOLY GHOST UNFOLDED
COMMUNION
WITH
GOD THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST,
EACH PERSON DISTINCTLY,
IN LOVE, GRACE, AND CONSOLATION;
OR,
THE SAINTS’ FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER, SON, AND
HOLY GHOST UNFOLDED
Presently I am meditating on Part I, Chapter 3, Of the peculiar and distinct communion which the saints have with the Father.
Below is Owen's outline of the chapter, wherein my words here—The communion the saints have distinctly with the Father is eminently one of love—His love to us, and our return of love to Him.
Observations for the clearing of the whole premised—Our peculiar communion with the Father is in love—1 John 4:7, 8; 2 Cor. 13:14; John 16:26, 27; Rom. 5:5; John 3:16, 14:23; Tit. 3:4, opened to this purpose—What is required of believers to hold communion with the Father in love—His love received by faith—Returns of love to him—God’s love to us and ours to him—Wherein they agree—Wherein they differ.
I find myself frustrated to tears in how briefly to relate Owen's teaching that we do indeed have fellowship with the Father in LOVE. So I decided not to try directly, but instead, quote from the opening two paragraphs of Chapter 4 to show negatively that our relationship with the Father often falls short what it should be with sad consequences. I do this in the hope that you will download the PDF of all four chapters of Part 1 and read for yourself the wondrous, eternal, never changing love the Father has for you.
CHAPTER IV
Inferences on the former doctrine concerning communion with the Father in love
HAVING thus discovered the nature of that distinct communion which we have with the Father, it remaineth that we give some exhortations unto it, directions in it, and take some observations from it:—
1. First, then, this is a duty wherein it is most evident that Christians are but little exercised,—namely, in holding immediate communion with the Father in love. Unacquaintedness with our mercies, our privileges, is our sin as well as our trouble. We hearken not to the voice of the Spirit. which is given unto us, “that we may know the things that are freely bestowed on us of God.” This makes us go heavily, when we might rejoice; and to be weak, where we might be strong in the Lord. How few of the saints are experimentally acquainted with this privilege of holding immediate communion with the Father in love! With what anxious, doubtful thoughts do they look upon him! What fears, what questionings are there, of his good-will and kindness! At the best, many think there is no sweetness at all in him towards us, but what is purchased at the high price of the blood of Jesus. It is true, that alone is the way of communication; but the free fountain and spring of all is in the bosom of the Father. “Eternal life was with the Father, and is manifested unto us.” Let us, then,—
(1.) Eye the Father as love; look not on him as an always lowering father, but as one most3 kind and tender. Let us look on him by faith, as one that hath had thoughts of kindness towards us from everlasting. It is misapprehension of God that makes any run from him, who have the least breathing wrought in them after him. “They that know thee will put their trust in thee.” Men cannot abide with God in spiritual meditations. He loseth soul’s company by their want of this insight into his love. They fix their thoughts only on his terrible majesty, severity, and greatness; and so their spirits are not endeared. Would a soul continually eye his everlasting tenderness and compassion, his thoughts of kindness that have been from of old, his present gracious acceptance, it could not bear an hour’s absence from him; whereas now, perhaps, it cannot watch with him one hour. Let, then, this be the saints’ first notion of the Father,—as one full of eternal, free love towards them: let their hearts and thoughts be filled with breaking through all discouragements that lie in the way. To raise them hereunto, let them consider,—
Owen, J. (n.d.). The works of John Owen. (W. H. Goold, Ed.) (Vol. 2, pp. 31–32). Edinburgh: T&T Clark.