Death of death in the death of Christ - Owen - I - Preface, Dedication, Attestations, To the reader

Required reading
Death of death in the death of Christ by John Owen (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read the 'Prefatory note', the Dedication, the 'Two Attestations' and 'To the reader'.

My summary
Today we begin an enormously influential work.

Firstly we read the Prefatory Note which sets the historical background for the book and gives an outline of its structure.

Secondly we read the dedication to Earl Warwick.

Thirdly two Puritan ministers, Stanley Gower and Richard Byfield, commend the book to us.

Fourthly, in 'To the reader', Owen sets the scene by briefly discussing:
(i) universal redemption;
(ii) free-will;
(iii) reasons commonly cited for believing in universal redemption.

What grabbed me
Although we were only reading the preliminaries today, it was difficult to choose a favourite part.

But I think Owen's opening paragraph has to be given pride of place: 'If thou intendest to go any farther, I would entreat thee to stay here a little. If thou art, as many in this pretending age, a sign or title gazer, and comest into books as Cato into the theatre, to go out again, — thou hast had thy entertainment; farewell! With him that resolves a serious view of the following discourse, and really desireth satisfaction from the word and Christian reason, about the great things contained therein, I desire a few words in the portal. Divers things there are of no small consideration to the business we have in hand, which I am persuaded thou canst not be unacquainted with; and therefore I will not trouble thee with a needless repetition of them.'

You can't say Owen didn't warn you. 

This book is not for the faint-hearted.

Next week's reading
Read Chapters 1, 2 & 3 of Book 1.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.