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"In my dying hour…" —John Owen

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Dear Sir,

Although I am not able to write one word myself, yet I am very desirous to speak one more word to you in this world, and do it by the hand of my wife. The continuance of your entire kindness is not only greatly valued by me, but will be a refreshment to me, as it is, even in my dying hour.

I am going to Him whom my soul has loved, or rather who has loved me with an everlasting love, — which is the whole ground of all my consolation. The passage is very wearisome, through strong pains of various sorts, which are all issued in an intermittent fever.

All things were provided to carry me to London today, according to the advice of my physicians. But we are all disappointed by my utter disability to undertake the journey.

I am leaving the ship of the church in a storm. But while the great Pilot is in it, the loss of a poor under-rower will be inconsiderable. Live, and pray, and hope, and wait patiently, and do not despond. The promise stands invincible, that He will never leave us, nor forsake us.

I am greatly afflicted at the ailments of your dear wife. The good Lord stand by her and support her and deliver her. My affectionate respects to her, and the rest of your family, who are so dear to me in the Lord.

Remember your dying friend with all fervency. I rest upon it that you do so, and am yours entirely,

John Owen

—from The Works of John Owen. This letter was addressed to Charles Fleetwood, Owen’s best friend. It was written on August 23, 1683, the day before Owen died.

Comments

  1. The greatest test of what one believes is the commitment and willingness to face death with it.It is here that everything John Owen preached,wrote and lived shined the brightest in this letter to his best friend….Lord may I strive to do the same

  2. I read this letter with tears in my eyes, because I can sense the peace of God and the love of God. Yes as the Lord God was with Moses, Joshua, Joseph, Ruth, Naomi, and John Owens, so He is with us. Thank you for sharing this letter. I love the Lord, because he first loved me…

  3. No cries for more time, no ties to this world has he. His only desire is to approach the marvelous light of HE. That my soul might rejoice ins such an hour that my soul might approach thee with this love is my prayer.

  4. No cries for more time, no ties to this world has he. His only desire is to approach the marvelous light of HE. That my soul might rejoice ins such an hour that my soul might approach thee with this love is my prayer.

  5. No slander on his lips – just blessing, even at his final hours. A fountain spoken of by the book of James, blessing those around him and loving till the end. A witness that the Spirit of God and the peace and love of Jesus Christ was and still is in this mans soul. Yes, let love be the guiding hand – To walk in the Spirit is to walk with the Love of Christ in our hearts to all.

  7. What a wonderfull message. Even in the last hour, brother John remember that it was not about him but everything is about HIM. When your heart is full of love for God and the love of God lives in you; even in the last minute you will give your last words to love others.

  9. John’s letter is further testimony to that of Paul’s words, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

    The Lord’s fellowship is so real and sweet that death is no longer an enemy or something to be feared, but the welcome beginning of a closer walk with Him.

    What a beautiful faith and testimony John Owen leaves us. What a glorious Lord and promise we have. And what joy, to one day to meet and talk to John, and together walk with and praise our Lord as we see Him face to face.

  10. This is when true wtness takes place and true love of God is evident. At the hour of his passing from this life his thoughts and words were of meeting Jesus face to face. In that anticipation John Owen is still Loving God with all his heart and soul and mind and strength and loving his neighbor as he loves himself by continuing to minister to God’s people with the little remaining physical strength hwe still possessed. May my time be filled with the same trust and faith and love for God and His people to God’s glory.

  11. Envisioning the moment that life flees, holding the hand of the Lord is all I would want in this life into the next. Knowing that the one who’s been leading and guiding me through the days of my physical life has finally come to greet me, meet me, to welcome me home.

  12. Our Aunt Madie, as we lovingly called her, wrote a letter to her unborn Great Grandchild which the family uses to teach about God. The letter said she would not be here when the Great Grandchild was born because she was going to Heaven and instructed her unborn Great Grandchild to live for Christ. Aunt Madie lived for several more months before she passed away before the child was born. She was a devout Christian and a great singer. She sang at the invitation of Churches all over Texas. The Mother of the Great Grandchild, Aunt Madie’s Granddaughter went on to serve as Pastor of a Church in Texas.

  13. After reading this letter with tears i thought of my sister who died of cancer 4 years ago. She and her husband were talking and she said “i am ready to meet the Lord but she didn’t want to leave him” he told her to rest. and she closed her eyes and went home to be with Jesus. Even the most binding relationship here on this earth can not hold us here when its time to shed this physical body. This body is the last presence that keeps us from HIM completely. I too look forward to that day when my sick body takes its final breath and frees me of this world. I long to be perfectly in HIS PRESENCE forever more…

  14. I cant wait till he calls me home. Im 41 years old and I cant wait. Everyday I think today could be the day. Its like celebrating Christmas every day. To lay my crown at the feet of Jesus, the one that paid a debt that I couldnt. I am not worthy. But he is. Paul stated that I must decrease and he (Jesus) increase…..Thats how John Owen did it.

  16. In todays world so many praise themselves in their willingness to die for their lord, now is the time to Live for Christ, Death will be sure to come soon enough.

  17. Oh Lord, I thank You for showing me this message. To live is Christ, but to die is gain. Thanks for reminding me of the greater reward, which is to be with You.

  18. Oh may God give me the strength and guidance I need so that I will no longer be an “under-rower” as I am now.

  19. Live, and pray, and hope, and wait patiently, and do not despond. The promise stands invincible, that He will never leave us, nor forsake us. Those words are powerful. Thank you Lord Jesus for using him.

  20. Behold what manner of love for Christ even on the dying bed and the greatest assurance of the great hope that makes life meaningful that there is hope beyond the grave.

  21. The greatest truth of the long journey to our victory rests in by “what death we will glorify GOD”. Jesus spoke of this to Peter… Death is the greatest and last enemy to be destroyed. The victory that we have over death through our Victorious LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST THE LORD IS MANIFEST daily in our body and finally in our own death (cessation from earth life)…and imminent flight into HIS glorious presence – “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” Ecc 7.1 (To be absent from the body is to be present with The LORD.) The believer’s death glorifies GOD the Man of War! The Glorious LORD of Hosts!

  22. I was heartened by this letter from a dear Christian brother—and the quiet servant evidence of his keeper-at-home wife & scribe —both of whom lived in dark days overshadowed by threats & insult from many who were ignorant of the Word or wresting it to fit their own desires or the philosophies of human heroes such as that one who has been called the first true Roman Catholic & proponent of inquisitional persecutions & ‘purification’, who taught Mariolatry, purgatory, & infant baptism—the great sacramentalist & sacerdotalist, Augustine, who deferred first to the authority of the Church for his salvation rather than to the authority of God & His revealed Word. I Corinthians 1&2

    I thought of Psalm 90 written by Moses who withstood the power of that more humanly palatable false light that was brooding on the Nile by his faith in the true light & through the resulting obedience evidenced in his life. Imperfect also, yet a friend of God —the one who confounded that wicked, deceptive, seductive & tyrannical power wielded by Pharoah, Jannes & Jambres. So seductive that the Israelites & Aaron were drawn back to its idolatry & sensual frivolity in their time of testing —even while Moses was on the mountain receiving the Law.

    Moses, the one by whom came the Law which reveals the holy standard of God that tries & exposes all that is false & insufficient. “Teach us to number our days, that we might have a heart of wisdom” —For by Moses came the Law, but grace and truth came by Christ Jesus…. And the Word became flesh & dwelt among us. …I judge no man —yet they have a judge: every word that I have spoken.

    And—–think not that I have come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it —-for not one jot or tittle shall by any means pass away from the Law… What a wonderful hope is ours that we share with this saint of old.

    I thought also of I & II Peter. Presumptuous Peter, unpolished by human wisdom Peter—- who by the grace & power of God became that great Apostle that so heartens & encourages us with his powerful exhortations & urgent reminders to be true and to examine ourselves in the light of His Word —that more perfect witness & evidence.

    Peter, Peter —Satan desires to sift you as wheat. Yet I have prayed for you… when you have been restored, strengthen your brethren.

    Oh for a time of true revival today! A time of humble repentance & true obedience, of putting away presumption & all religion of human sensuality & philosophy & treacherous, arrogant selfism & traditions of men & Babylonian powers & ‘mysteries’ & lies of human ability, ‘progress’ and ‘evolution’!

    Come out of her, O my people! Be ye separate and touch not the unclean thing! Beware of the leaven of Balaam, of the sin of Nicolaitanism that is hated of God & of tolerating that woman Jezebel who calleth herself a prophetess! May those who are as meek before God as was Moses confront & contend that such may find the mercy that was given Miriam.

    For all who seek to live godly shall endure persecution.

    May all of us called by that Name remain in that Vine & our First Love in spirit and in truth that we may die with the same peace & assurance in God that did John Owen & his faithful wife & scribe, uncomplaining yet honest & not feigning ‘positive’ or ‘progressive’ lies concerning his current visible condition or ability, but rather trusting God for that invisible & future reality; truly concerned for the souls of others & coveting the prayers of the saints to the end.

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