Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers

With a Resolution of sundry CASES of CONSCIENCE thereunto belonging.

BY JOHN OWEN, D. D. a Servant of JESUS CHRIST in the Work of the Gospel.

The Third Edition.

LONDON, Printed for Nathanael Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry near Cornhill, and in Chancery-lane near Fleet-street, 1668.

LONDON, Printed for Nathanael Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultrey near Cornhill, and in Chancery-lane near Fleet-street, 1668.

Christian Reader, I shall in a few words acquaint thee with the Reasons that obtained my consent to the publishing of the ensuing Discourse. The consideration of the present State and Condition of the Generality of Professors, the visible Evidences of the Frame of their Hearts and Spirits, manifesting a great Disability of dealing with the Temptations, wherewith from the Peace they have in the World, and the Divisions that they have among themselves, they are encompassed, holds the chief place amongst them. This I am assured is of so great importance, that if hereby I only occasion others to press more effectually on the Consciences of men, the work of considering their Ways, and to give more clear Direction for the compassing of the End proposed, I shall well esteem of my Lot in this undertaking. This was seconded by an Observation of ⟨image 3⟩some mens dangerous Mistakes, who of late days have taken upon them to give Directions for the Mortification of Sin, who being unacquainted with the Mystery of the Gospel, and the Efficacy of the Death of Christ, have anew imposed the Yoke of a self-wrought-out Mortification on the Necks of their Disciples, which neither they nor their Forefathers were ever able to bear. A Mortification they cry up and press, suitable to that of the Gospel neither in respect of Nature, Subject, Causes, Means, nor Effects; which constantly produces the deplorable Issues of Superstition, self-righteousness and Anxiety of Conscience, in them who take up the burden which is so bound for them. What is here proposed in weakness, I humbly hope will answer the Spirit and Letter of the Gospel, with the Experiences of them who know what it is to walk with God according to the Tenor of the Covenant of Grace. So that if not this, yet certainly something of this kind, is very necessary at this season, for the pro••••on and furtherance of this work […] ⟨image 3⟩Mortification in the Hearts of Believers, and their Direction in Paths safe, and wherein they may find Rest to their Souls. Something I have to add, as to what in particular relates unto my self. Having preached on this subject, unto some comfortable success, through the Grace of him that administered seed to the Sower, I was pressed by sundry persons, in whose hearts are the Ways of God, thus to publish what I had delivered, with such Additions and Alterations as I should judge necessary.

Christian Reader, I shall in a few words acquaint thee with the Reasons that obtained my consent to the publishing of the ensuing Discourse. The consideration of the present State and Condition of the Generality of Professors, the visible Evidences of the Frame of their Hearts and Spirits, manifesting a great Disability of dealing with the Temptations, wherewith from the Peace they have in the World, and the Divisions that they have among themselves, they are encompassed, holds the chief place amongst them. This I am assured is of so great importance, that if hereby I only occasion others to press more effectually on the Consciences of men, the work of considering their Wayes, and to give more clear Direction for the compassing of the End proposed, I shall well esteem of my Lot in this undertaking. This was seconded by an Observation of ⟨image 3⟩some mens dangerous Mistakes, who of late dayes have taken upon them to give Directions for the Mortification of Sin, who being unacquainted with the Mystery of the Gospel, and the Efficacy of the Death of Christ, have anew imposed the Yoke of a self-wrought-out Mortification on the Necks of their Disciples, which neither they nor their Forefathers were ever able to bear. A Mortification they cry up and press, suitable to that of the Gospel neither in respect of Nature, Subject, Causes, Means, nor Effects; which constantly produces the deplorable Issues of Superstition, self-righteousness and Anxiety of Conscience, in them who take up the burthen which is so bound for them. What is here proposed in weakness, I humbly hope will answer the Spirit and Letter of the Gospel, with the Experiences of them who know what it is to walk with God according to the Tenour of the Covenant of Grace. So that if not this, yet certainly something of this kind, is very necessary at this season, for the pro••••on and furtherance of this work 〈…〉 ⟨image 3⟩Mortification in the Hearts of Believers, and their Direction in Paths safe, and wherein they may find Rest to their Souls. Something I have to adde, as to what in particular relates unto my self. Having preached on this subject, unto some comfortable success, through the Grace of him that administred seed to the Sower, I was pressed by sundry persons, in whose hearts are the Wayes of God, thus to publish what I had delivered, with such Additions and Alterations as I should judge necessary.

Under the inducement of their Desires, I called to remembrance the Debt wherein I have now for some Years stood engaged unto sundry N•ble and worthy Christian Friends, as to a Treatise of Communion with God, some while since promised to them; and thereon apprehended, that if I could not hereby compound for the greater Debt,¹ yet I might possibly tender them this Discourse of Variance with themselves, as Interest for their forbearance of that of Peace and Communion with God. Besides, I considered that I had ⟨image 4⟩been providentially engaged in the public Debate of sundry Controversies in Religion, which might seem to claim something in another kind of more General Use, as a Fruit of Choice, not Necessity: On these and the like accounts, is this short Discourse brought forth to public view, and now presented unto thee. I hope I may own in sincerity, that my hearts desire unto God, and the chief Design of my Life in the station wherein the good Providence of God hath placed me, are, that Mortification and universal Holiness may be promoted in my own and in the Hearts and Ways of others, to the Glory of God, that so the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be adorned in all things; for the compassing of which End, if this little Discourse (of the publishing whereof this is the sum of the account I shall give) may in any thing be useful to the least of the Saints, it will be looked on as a Return of the weak Prayers wherewith it is attended by its unworthy Author, J. OWEN.

Ʋnder the inducement of their Desires, I called to remembrance the Debt wherein I have now for some Years stood engaged unto sundry N•ble and worthy Christian Friends, as to a Treatise of Communion with God, some while since promised to them; and thereon apprehended, that if I could not hereby compound for the greater Debt,¹ yet I might possibly tender them this Discourse of Variance with themselves, as Interest for their forbearance of that of Peace and Communion with God. Besides, I considered that I had ⟨image 4⟩been providentially engaged in the publick Debate of sundry Controversies in Religion, which might seem to claim something in another kind of more General Ʋse, as a Fruit of Choice, not Necessity: On these and the like accounts, is this short Discourse brought forth to publick view, and now presented unto thee. I hope I may own in sincerity, that my hearts desire unto God, and the chief Design of my Life in the station wherein the good Providence of God hath placed me, are, that Mortification and universal Holiness may be promoted in my own and in the Hearts and Wayes of others, to the Glory of God, that so the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be adorned in all things; for the compassing of which End, if this little Discourse (of the publishing whereof this is the summe of the account I shall give) may in any thing be usefull to the least of the Saints, it will be looked on as a Return of the weak Prayers wherewith it is attended by its unworthy Author, J. OWEN.

1. 1Since the first Edition of this Treatise, that other also is published.Since the first E•ition of this Treatise, that other also is published.

CHAP. I.

The Foundation of the whole ensuing Discourse laid in Rom. 8.13. The words of the Apostle opened. The certain connection between true Mortification and Salvation. Mortification the work of Believers. The Spirit the principal efficient Cause of it. What meant by the [Body] in the words of the Apostle. What by the [Deeds of the Body.] Life in what sense promised to this Duty.

The Foundation of the whole ensuing Discourse laid in Rom. 8.13. The words of the Apostle opened. The certain connexion between true Mortification and Salvation. Mortification the work of Believers. The Spirit the principal efficient Cause of it. What meant by the [Body] in the words of the Apostle. What by the [Deeds of the Body.] Life in what sence promised to this Duty.

That what I have of Direction to contribute to the carrying on of the work of Mortification in Believers, may receive order and perspicuity, I shall lay the foundation of it in those words of the Apostle, Rom. 8.13. If ye by the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the flesh, ye shall live; and reduce the whole to an Improvement of the great Evangelical Truth and Mystery contained in them.

THat what I have of Direction to contribute to the carrying on of the work of Mortification in Believers, may receive order and perspicuity, I shall lay the foundation of it in those words of the Apostle, Rom. 8.13. If ye by the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the flesh, ye shall live; and reduce the whole to an Improvement of the great Evangelical Truth and Mystery contained in them.

The Apostle having made a Recapitulation of his Doctrine of Justification by Faith, and the blessed Estate and Condition of them who ⟨p. 2⟩are made by Grace partakers thereof, vers. 1, 2, 3. of this Chapter, proceeds to improve it, to the Holiness and Consolation of Believers.

Among his Arguments and Motives unto Holiness, the Verse mentioned containeth one, from the contrary Events and Effects of Holiness and Sin. If ye live after the flesh, ye shall dye. What it is to live after the flesh, and what it is to dye, that being not my present aim and business, I shall no otherwise explain, than as they will fall in with the sense of the latter words of the verse, as before proposed.

Among his Arguments and Motives unto Holiness, the Verse mentioned containeth one, from the contrary Events and Effects of Holiness and Sin. If ye live after the flesh, ye shall dye. What it is to live after the flesh, and what it is to dye, that being not my present aym and business, I shall no otherwise explain, than as they will fall in with the sence of the latter words of the verse, as before proposed.

In the words peculiarly designed for the Foundation of the ensuing Discourse, there is