John Owen and Common Grace

1616 - 1683

I recently watched a video of a brother who presented a case for saying that John Owen did not believe in "common grace." When I watched it I knew Owen did in fact espouse the belief in common grace. So, I listened for the evidence. He did not give any citation where Owen denied a belief in common grace. What he did was cite from Owens where he affirmed that the good things the non-elect are given in life serve only to increase their condemnation. 

There are many citations that could be given where Owen stated clearly his belief in common grace. Here are a few. First, Owen wrote (emphasis mine):

"But the best of common grace or gifts that may be in men unregenerate are but products of the providence of God, ordering all things in general unto his own glory and the good of them that shall be heirs of salvation. They are not fruits of electing eternal love, nor designed means for the infallible attaining of eternal salvation. (2.) The graces of those that are regenerate have a manifold respect or relation to the Lord Christ, that the common graces of others have not...Now, the common grace of unregenerate persons, whereby they are distinguished from other men, whatever it be, it hath not this especial relation to the oblation and intercession of Christ. Common grace is not the procurement of especial intercession...Now, although the common gifts and graces of men unregenerate are effects of the power of the Holy Ghost wrought in them and bestowed on them, as are all other works of God’s providence, yet it doth not work in them, as received by them, to dwell in them and abide with them, as a never-failing spring of spiritual life...And thus it is with the saving grace that is in a regenerate, and those common graces that are in others which are not so. " (From his sermon Exposition upon the Psalm 130; See here)

In "The Display of Arminianism" (Available to read here) Owen wrote:

"Fourthly, Concerning grace itself, it is either common or special. Common or general grace consisteth in the external revelation of the will of God by his word, with some illumination of the mind to perceive it, and correction of the affections not too much to contemn it; and this, in some degree or other, to some more, to some less, is common to all that are called. Special grace is the grace of regeneration, comprehending the former, adding more spiritual acts, but especially presupposing the purpose of God, on which its efficacy doth chiefly depend."

This web page (here) gives numerous other citations from Owen on common grace.

When Peter said that husbands and wives are partakers of the "grace of life" he is speaking of common grace. (I Peter 3:7) 

I would disagree with Owen that common graces and gifts of God are not intended to incite sinners to seek the Lord and his salvation. I think when Paul said that "the goodness of God" is intended to "lead to repentance" (Rom. 2: 4) that this shows this to be the case.