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REASON OF FAITH;

OR, AN

ANSWER UNTO THAT ENQUIRY,
WHEREFORE WE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURE TO BE THE
WORD OF GOD?

WITH

The Causes and Nature of that Faith wherewith we do so.

WHEREIN

The Grounds whereon the Holy Scripture is Believed to be the Word of
God with Faith Divine and Supernatural, are Declared and Vindicated.

TOGETHER WITH THE

CAUSES, WAYS AND MEANS,

OF

UNDERSTANDING THE MIND OF GOD

AS REVEALED IN HIS WORD, WITH ASSURANCE THEREIN:

AND,

A DECLARATION

OF THE

PERSPICUITY OF THE SCRIPTURES,

WITH THE EXTERNAL MEANS OF THE INTERPRETATION
OF THEM.

BY JOHN OWEN, D. D.

Our belief of the Scriptures to be the Word of God, or a Divine Reve-
lation, and our understanding of the mind and will of God as revealed in
them, are the two fprings of all our intereft in Christian religion. From
them are all thofe ftreams of light and truth derived, whereby our fouls are
watered, refreshed, and made fruitful unto God.-Page 167.

GLASGOW:

PRINTED BY W. FALCONER,

FOR STEPHEN YOUNG, & SOLD BY J. FOWLER, PAISLEY;
M. OGLE, GLASGOW; OGLE & AIKMAN, EDIN-

BURGH; & R. OGLE, LONDON,

Subfcribers for this Work are informed, that, occafioned by a deficiency in the numbers of fome pages, at the latter end of the copy from which the calculation, as ftated in the proposal, was made, that statement was nearly 100 pages deficient: in order, therefore, that the book might not be too thick, it was found requifite to print it in an octavo, inftead of a duodecimo volume; on account of which, the price is neceffarily raised one Sixpence; and although the book is lower ftill, than if it had been published agreeably to the original conditions; yet, if any think it too high, they, nevertheless, have the Editors thanks for their prompt encouragement of the Work, and are free of any obligation from their fubfcriptions.

Bookfellers and others are alfo informed, that if the book does not season

ably reimburse itself, the price of what remains on hand will be raised; and with regret it may be obferved, that from the appearance of the prefent rifing price of paper, it is not to be expected, that one of fimilar fize, paper and workmanship, can for the future be offered on fuch moderate terms.

REASON OF FAITH;

OR, AN

ANSWER UNTO THAT ENQUIRY,

WHEREFORE WE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURE TO BE THE WORD OF GOD?

WITH

THE CAUSES AND NATURE OF THAT FAITH WHEREWITH WE DO SO.

WHEREIN

The Grounds where on the Holy Scripture is believed to be the Word of God with Faith Divine and Supernatural, are Declared and Vindicated.

BY JOHN OWEN, D. D.

If they hear not Mofes, and the Prophets, neither will they be perfuaded though one rose from the dead.-Luke xvi. 51.

GLASGOW:

PRINTED BY W. FALCONER,

FOR STEPHEN YOUNG, PAISLEY.

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AUG 24 1917
CGW
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PREFACE,

HAVING added a brief account of the design, order, and method of the ensuing discourse in an appendix at the close of it; I fhall not here detain the reader with the propofal of them. Yet fome few things remain, which I judge it neceffary to mind him of. Be he who he will, I am fure we shall not differ about the weight of the argument in hand; for whether it be the truth we contend for, or otherwise, yet it will not be denied, but that the determination of it, and the fettling of the minds of men about it, are of the highest concernment unto them. But whereas fo much hath been written of late by others on this fubject, any further debate of it may feem either needless or unfeasonable. Something therefore may be spoken to evidence that the reader is not imposed on by that, which may abfolutely fall under either of those characters. Had the end in and by these difcourfes been effectually accomplished, it had been altogether useless to renew an endeavour unto the fame purpose. But whereas an oppofition unto the Scripture, and the grounds whereon we believe it to be a divine revelation, is ftill openly continued amongst us; a continuation of the defence of the one and the other cannot reasonably be judged either needlefs or unfeasonable. Befides, moft of the difcourfes published of late on this subject have had their peculiar defigns, wherein that here tendered is not exprefsly engaged. For some of them do principally aim to prove, that we have fufficient grounds

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