A53715:203
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.
2. By applying Grace and Mercy to an unmortified sin, or one not sincerely endeavoured to be mortified, is this Deceit carried on. This is a sign of an Heart greatly entangled with the Love of Sin. When a man hath secret thoughts in his Heart, not unlike those of Naaman, 1about his worshipping in the House of Rimmon; in all other things I will walk with God; but in this thing, God be merciful unto me; his Condition is sad. It is true indeed, a Resolution to this purpose, to indulge a mans self in any sin on the account of Mercy, seems to be (and doubtless in any course, is) altogether inconsistent with Christian Sincerity, and is a badge of an Hypocrite, and is the turning of the Grace of God into wantonness, Jude 4. but yet I doubt not but through the craft of Satan, and their own remaining unbelief, the Children of God may themselves sometimes be ensnared with this Deceit of sin; or else Paul would never have so cautioned them against it as he doth, Rom. 6.1, 2. Yea ⟨p. 91⟩indeed there is nothing more Natural, than for fleshly reasonings to grow high and strong upon this account. The flesh would fain be indulged unto upon the account of Grace: and every word that is spoken of mercy, it stands ready to catch at, and to pervert it to its own corrupt aims and purposes. To apply Mercy then to a sin not vigorously mortified, is to fulfil the End of the flesh upon the Gospel.
2. By applying Grace and Mercy to an unmortified sin, or one not sincerely endeavoured to be mortified, is this Deceit carried on. This is a sign of an Heart greatly entangled with the Love of Sin. When a man hath secret thoughts in his Heart, not unlike those of Naaman, 1about his worshipping in the House of Rimmon; in all other things I will walk with God; but in this thing, God be mercifull unto me; his Condition is sad. It is true indeed, a Resolution to this purpose, to indulge a mans self in any sin on the account of Mercy, seems to be (and doubtless in any course, is) altogether inconsistent with Christian Sincerity, and is a badge of an Hypocrite, and is the turning of the Grace of God into wantonness,