A53715:151
Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers
Of the mortification of sin in believers: the 1. Necessity, 2. Nature, and 3. Means of it. 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.
London: printed for Nathanael Ponder, 1668
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.
Now I say, when a man comes to this state and Condition, that lust is weakened in the root and principle, that its motions and actions are fewer and weaker than formerly, so they they are not able to hinder his duty, nor interrupt his peace, when he can in a quiet sedate frame of Spirit, find out, and fight against Sin, and ⟨p. 61⟩have success against it, then Sin is mortified in some considerable measure, and notwithstanding all its Opposition, a man may have peace with God all his days.
Now I say, when a man comes to this state and Condition, that lust is weakened in the root and principle, that its motions and actions are fewer and weaker than formerly, so thay they are not able to hinder his duty, nor interrupt his peace, when he can in a quiet sedate frame of Spirit, find out, and fight against Sin, and ⟨p. 61⟩have success against it, then Sin is mortified in some considerable measure, and notwithstanding all its Opposition, a man may have peace with God all his dayes.
Unto these Heads then do I refer the Mortification aimed at; that is, of any one perplexing Distemper, whereby the General pravity and Corruption of our Nature attempts to exert and put forth it self.
Unto these Heads then do I referre the Mortification aymed at; that is, of any one perplexing Distemper, whereby the General pravity and Corruption of our Nature attempts to exert and put forth it self.
1. First, the weakening of its indwelling disposition, whereby it inclines, entices, impels to evil, rebels, opposes, fights against God, by the implanting habitual residence, and cherishing of a principle of Grace, that stands in direct opposition to it, and is destructive of it, is the Foundation of it. So by the implanting and growth of humility is pride weakened, passion by patience, uncleanness by purity of Mind and Conscience, love of this world by heavenly-mindedness, which are Graces of the Spirit, or the same habitual Grace variously acting it self by the Holy Ghost, according to the variety or diversity of the Objects about which it is exercised; as the other are several Lusts, or the same natural Corruption variously acting its self according to the various Advantages and Occasions that it meets withal.