The Works of John Owen, Volume 1: The Glory of Christ

‘Volume 1 commences with a brief biography of Owen’s life. Clearly a man of outstanding intellectual ability and learning, the two discourses that follow – “A Declaration of the Glorious Mystery of the Person of Christ – God and Man” and “Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ” – demonstrate a rare combination of pastoral care and academic ability. The second discourse comprises his parting instructions to his church at Leadenhall Street, London, given shortly before his death.

Both discourses explain clearly the mystery of the union of the Divine and human natures in one person: our Lord Jesus Christ. But more than this, they are a rich treasure trove of teaching on how Jesus Christ represents the glory of God in all of his holy attributes of wisdom, goodness, power, love, and grace, and manifests his own glory as our Saviour and Mediator. This teaching doesn’t just satisfy the mind; Owen shows how it should cause us to give Christ honour, worship, and thanksgiving, and to love, obey, and be like him. Owen’s purpose, particularly in the second discourse, is to encourage us to meditate on the glory of Christ as God and man – “let your occasional thoughts of Christ be many” – and to adore what we can’t comprehend. These discourses are relatively easy to read and understand, and the spiritual blessings they bring more than repay any time and effort spent in studying them. They can’t be recommended too highly!

Volume 1 concludes with “The Principles of the Doctrine of Christ Unfolded in Two Short Catechisms”. The first, for young people, is very brief, and the second, for adults, is more comprehensive.’

– Adri van den Broek