The Work of the Spirit

Works of John Owen #4

by John Owen

This volume by the greatest of the Puritan theologians is organized as follows:

The Reason of Faith
Prefatory Note
Preface
Chapter 1. The Subject Stated — Preliminary Remarks
Chapter 2. What It Is Infallibly to Believe the Scripture to Be the Word of God, Affirmed
Chapter 3. Sundry Convincing External Arguments for Divine Revelation
Chapter 4. Moral Certainty, the Result of External Arguments, Insufficient
Chapter 5. Divine Revelation Itself the Only Foundation and Reason of Faith
Chapter 6. The Nature of Divine Revelations — Their Self-Evidencing Power Considered, Particularly That of the Scriptures as the Word of God
Chapter 7. Inferences From the Whole — Some Objections Answered
Appendix

The Causes, Ways, and Means of Understanding the Mind of God as Revealed in His Word
Prefatory Note
Analysis
Preface
Chapter 1.
Chapter 2.
Chapter 3.
Chapter 4.
Chapter 5.
Chapter 6.
Chapter 7.
Chapter 8.
Chapter 9.

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prayer
Prefatory Note
Analysis
Preface to the Reader
Chapter 1. The Use of Prayer, and the Work of the Holy Spirit Therein
Chapter 2. Zechariah 12:10 Opened and Vindicated
Chapter 3. Galatians 4:6 Opened and Vindicated
Chapter 4. The Nature of Prayer — Romans 8:26 Opened and Vindicated
Chapter 5. The Work of the Holy Spirit as to the Matter of Prayer
Chapter 6. The Due Manner of Prayer, Wherein It Doth Consist
Chapter 7. The Nature of Prayer in General, With Respect Unto Forms of Prayer and Vocal Prayer — Ephesians 6:18 Opened and Vindicated
Chapter 8. The Duty of External Prayer by Virtue of a Spiritual Gift Explained and Vindicated
Chapter 9. Duties Inferred From the Preceding Discourse
Chapter 10. Of Mental Prayer as Pretended Unto by Some in the Church of Rome
Chapter 11. Prescribed Forms of Prayer Examined

The Spirit as a Comforter
Prefatory Note
Analysis
Preface
Chapter 1. The Holy Ghost the Comforter of the Church by Way of Office — How He Is the Church’s Advocate — John 14:16; 1 John 2:1, 2; John 16:8-11 Opened
Chapter 2. General Adjuncts or Properties of the Office of a Comforter, as Exercised by the Holy Spirit
Chapter 3. Unto Whom the Holy Spirit Is Promised and Given as a Comforter, or the Object of His
Chapter 4. Inhabitation of the Spirit the First Thing Promised
Chapter 5. Particular Actings of the Holy Spirit as a Comforter — How He Is an Unction
Chapter 6. The Spirit a Seal, and How
Chapter 7. The Spirit an Earnest, and How

A Discourse of Spiritual Gifts
Analysis
Chapter 1. Spiritual Gifts, Their Names and Signification
Chapter 2. Differences Between Spiritual Gifts and Saving Grace
Chapter 4. Extraordinary Spiritual Gifts, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Chapter 5. The Original, Duration, Use, and End, of Extraordinary Spiritual Gifts
Chapter 6. Of Ordinary Gifts of the Spirit — The Grant, Institution, Use, Benefit, End, and Continuance of the Ministry
Chapter 7. Of Spiritual Gifts Enabling the Ministry to the Exercise and Discharge of Their Trust and Office
Chapter 8. Of the Gifts of the Spirit With Respect Unto Doctrine, Worship, and Rule — How Attained and Improved

Genres: Theology

520 pages, Library Binding

Published October 1, 1991

About the author

John Owen was an English theologian and "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" ("Owen, John", in Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals, p. 494)

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now read all 16 volumes of John Owen's doctrinal and practical works. This one mostly deals with the Holy Spirit in relation to the inspiration of scripture, prayer, and spiritual gifts. The only bad point was Owen's myopic and extreme opposition to written prayers.

[James Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 4 of Owen's Works. I must confess I started this book many months ago, but I'm actually ok with that. Because is this a quick read? Absolutely not. As I've said before, reading Owen is not a quick and easy task. To properly read Owen is to take one's time, mostly because reading him takes quite a bit of effort (and skimming is most definitely going to rob you from any enlightenment you could have gained). Spurgeon said about Owen, "To master his works is to be a profound theologian." Well, I'm in no danger of becoming a profound theologian anytime soon, for multiple reasons. Firstly I have only read through Volume 4 and there are many more to come. Secondly...I fear I have yet a dim grasp of the volumes I've Owen I've read so far! They have been read, but conquered? Surely not. But was my soul encouraged and my spirit set aflame as I read Owen discourse on the works of the Holy Spirit? Most assuredly. I've said before that I sometimes struggle with reading contemporary Christian theology books. It is entirely possible that I'm simply not reading the right ones or that my dismissing of the majority of modern Christian literature is a mark of pride and contrariness (of which I have my share), but I will say that as I read most modern Christian works, their very ease of reading works to my detriment. Instead of deeply digging into modern works, I skip and float through them, merrily reading yet barely taking in a dram of insight. In my defense, I do feel that many popular modern Christian works are full of trite phrases and that they lack a certain gravitas and dignity as they discuss our God Most High...but there again - my contrary nature! And yes, there are some good books that have been written by Christian authors in the past few years - I am not dismissing all. But! I have wandered afield. Owen. To read Owen and profit, you must read carefully. If I read more than 20 pages in a sitting, it is likely that I have either been reading far too quickly and taken in nothing...or that I have been reading for over two hours. Because with Owen, you cannot simply understand at first read. You must go back and read sentences again. You must grasp his flow and you must be willing to sit back and grapple with what He is saying. It is common nowadays (and there are most certainly advantages to this) to write books that are full of bite-size morsels that you can take away with you and easily regurgitate. To read Owen is to enjoy a finely cooked filet. You must not consume quickly if you wish to fully enjoy what is contained therein. And my natural quick reading (again, this is all my own fault!) is stymied by Owen. I can't just skip and float through and expect that I've a good grasp. I must take my time. And more than any other author I've read, Owen does this. Now I've written far too much about Owen in general and not enough about this particular book. What does it say? Well, I fear that I will be unable to do this volume justice. I will say that I have been most encouraged as I read about the works of the Holy Spirit. Too often do we forget or dismiss the works of the Spirit in our lives. Too often do we think we can go through this life in our own strength. Too often do we act as if we were fulfilling our Christian ministry in our own power and via our own natural talents. It is common for us to think and act as if our spiritual insight and understanding was gained by our own study and careful thought. We are rational beings that live in a rational age and to think that some Spirit is actually imparting divine wisdom to us and giving us divine illumination and power? This is a crazy thought. And yes, we may acknowledge and confess these truths, if we are orthodox Christians. But do we live as if they were true? We must needs fall on our knees and in prayer and humility go to our Father God and ask for greater works of the Spirit in our lives. We must live continually in the reverent attitude that confesses that we have the Holy Spirit of God in us...a promised Comforter from our Lord Jesus. We must live in a state of gratitude and awe...gratitude that we have been blessed with such a mighty working Spirit, awe that our God would deign to fill us lowly mites with His Spirit. I cannot summarize this book properly, but again - know that as I read this these past few months...it often mightily encouraged me and made me think things that I would not think on my own. It forced me to reckon with truths that I know but so often ignore and live as if I did not know. I would not recommend Owen for all. It is a challenging read and very much written in an old-fashioned style. That old-fashioned style benefits me, because my mind is thrown off, reading things that are written in an unexpected way. My proud mind must then bend and grapple with these truths and I am the better for it. This book has drawn me nearer to my God and for that, I cannot complain.

[Jeremy Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume contains four works on the work of the Holy Spirit. The first work explains how the Spirit enables one to know God. The next concerns the Spirit's work of illumination. Both are very good. The subject of the third work is the Spirit's assistance in prayer. It is not very helpful because Owen mostly argues against form prayers, which is understandable considering his historical context, but our context is very different. So, it's value is limited. The final work contains two treatises one on the Spirit's work as the Comforter and the otheron Spiritual gifts. Both treatises are helpful.

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Owen is one of the greatest theologians the church has to offer. His writings are thorough and sound. At times he can be verbose and technical, but his love and passion for the word of God and proper exposition and systematic theology have given us some of the greatest works that will have an impact on the Kingdom past present and future. This volume details the work of the Holy Spirit in the redemption of the people of God. You will be tough pressed to find a more detailed and enlightening offering on the subject. Starting Volume 5 tomorrow!

[Forbes · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the lesser enjoyable volumes of Owens, in my opinion. Volume three is much better on the Spirit, although I thoroughly enjoyed the short section towards the end of this volume on the gifts of the Spirit, which is invaluable.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started with this volume as it covered topics I was looking to learn about, especially prayer and the Holy Spirit. Like many people I find Owen hard to understand at times and unabridged works are harder than abridged. My strategy was to read a couple of pages at a time, to read slowly and several times over as necessary and to be content with whatever I could come away with, even if I didn't understand everything. A little from such a deep mind is better than a lot from a shallow mind.

One thing I gained from the book is a greater appreciation for the supernatural aspect of the work of the ministry and of the Spirit's equipping for that work which is the only way anyone can live up to that calling. I knew this theoretically, but hearing him talk about the pastoral office made me feel how true it was and how necessary the Spirit's enabling is.

But the Holy Spirit is not just for pastors. Owen also speaks compellingly of our need for his help in prayer and in understanding the Bible. Again, sometimes we know these things mentally, but Owen brings them out in a way that, with the aid of the Spirit, can impress these things more deeply on our hearts and lead us to feel more strongly our need of him.

One of my favorite quotes is on the difference being gifted by the Spirit made to the disciples:

"Those who, during the abode of Christ in the flesh with them, could not understand a plain parable, and were ever and anon at no small loss about the sense and meaning of their Master, having very low and carnal apprehensions about his person, work and office, were now filled with a knowledge of all heavenly mysteries and with wisdom to declare, manage and maintain them against all opposers." pg. 481

[Jason Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

thorough and helpful and insightful