A53707:631
Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applied unto unconverted sinners, and saints…Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applyed unto unconverted sinners, and saints…
Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applied unto unconverted sinners, and saints under spiritual decays : in two chapters, from John XVII, xxiv / by the late Reverend John Owen ...Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applyed unto unconverted sinners, and saints under spiritual decayes : in two chapters, from John XVII, xxiv / by the late Reverend John Owen ...
London: printed by J.A. for William Marshall, 1691
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.
4. ON the Confirmation of these things, our Enquiry will be, how such Persons may be delivered from such Decays, and by what means they may obtain the Grace here promised, of Spiritual flourishing in old Age, both in the strengthening of the inward Principle of Life, and abounding in Fruits of Obedience, which are to the praise of God by Jesus Christ: And then we shall make Application unto this case, of that Truth which is the Subject of the preceding Discourse.
4. ON the Confirmation of these things, our Enquiry will be, how such Persons may be delivered from such Decays, and by what means they may obtain the Grace here promised, of Spiritual flourishing in old Age, both in the strengthning of the inward Principle of Life, and abounding in Fruits of Obedience, which are to the praise of God by Jesus Christ: And then we shall make Application unto this case, of that Truth which is the Subject of the preceding Discourse.
1. THE Constitution of Spiritual Life is such, as is meet to grow and increase unto the end. Hereby it doth distinguish it self from that Faith which is Temporary; for there is a Temporary Faith which will both flourish for a Season, and bring forth some Fruit, but it is not in its Nature and Constitution to abide, to grow and increase, but rather to decay and wither. It is described by our Lord Jesus Christ, Mat. 13. 20, 21. either some great Temptation extinguisheth it, or it decays insensibly, until the mind wherein it was do manifest it self to be utterly barren. And therefore whoever is sensible of any Spiritual Decays, he is called unto a severe Trial and Examination of himself, as unto the Nature of ⟨p. 35⟩the Principle of his Profession and Obedience; for such Decays do rather argue a principle of Temporary Faith only, unto which they are proper and natural, than that whose Nature it is to thrive and grow to the end, whereon those that have it, shall as it is in the Promise, still bring forth fruit, and without their own great Guilt be always freed from such Decays.