A53678:636
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews viz, on the sixth, seventh, eight, ninth, and tenth chapters : wherein together with the explication of the text and context, the priesthood of Christ ... are declared, explained and confirmed : as also, the pleas of the Jews for the continuance and perpetuity of their legal worship, with the doctrine of the principal writers of the Socinians about these things, are examined and disproved / by J. Owen ...
London: printed for Nathaniel Ponder, 1680
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
(2) Carnal Affections do variously promote this evil frame of mind. Love of ease, wealth, profit, pleasure, will quickly make men spiritually slothful. Where these are prevalent, every thing in the way of Holiness and Obedience is difficult and irksome. Strange Representations will be made unto the mind of all Duties, if not in general, yet in all instances that offer themselves. They are difficult, or tedious, or unseasonable, or needless, or the loss we make at present may be retrieved at another time. Every prevalent Carnal Affection will be heard in the case, and hath something to offer to deter the mind from its Duty. And the secret aversation of the flesh from Communion with Christ in Duties, works in all of them. ⟨p. 126⟩Wherefore if we see a man slothful, negligent, careless in the Duties of Religion, we may be sure that one carnal Affection or other is powerful in him.
3. As to the general effects of this spiritual Sloth they may be reduced unto these three Heads.
(1) A neglect of known Duties in matter or manner. Known Duties of Professors are either public or private; And I call them known because they are both acknowledged by all so to be, and themselves are under the Conviction of their so being. But where this sloth is predominant, clear Duties will be debated. What more clear Duty, than that we should open our hearts unto Christ when he knocketh; or diligently receive those Intimations of his Love and his Mind which he tendereth in his Ordinances? Yet this will a Soul dispute about and debate on, when it is under the power of sloth, Cant. 5. 2, 3. And it doth so actually when it doth not take diligent heed unto the Dispensation of the word. Wherefore omission of Duties in their seasons and opportunities, whether public or private, whether of Piety or Charity, of Faith or Love, or the performance of them without life and delight, merely to comply with custom, or satisfy Convictions, is an evidence of a Soul growing up under a sinful sloth, unto a ruining security.