A53715:254
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.
This is a Door that too many Professors have gone out at, unto open Apostasy; such a Deliverance from the Law they have pretended, as that they would consult its Guidance and Direction no more; they would measure their Sin by it no more; by little and little this Principle hath insensibly from the Notion of it proceeded to influence their practical Understandings; ⟨p. 117⟩and having taken possession there, hath turned the Will and Affections loose to all manner of Abominations.
This is a Door that too many Professors have gone out at, unto open Apostasie; such a Deliverance from the Law they have pretended, as that they would consult its Guidance and Direction no more; they would measure their Sin by it no more; by little and little this Principle hath insensibly from the Notion of it proceeded to influence their practical Understandings; ⟨p. 117⟩and having taken possession there, hath turned the Will and Affections loose to all manner of Abominations.
By such ways (I say then) as these, persuade thy Conscience to hearken diligently to what the Law speaks in the Name of the Lord unto thee, about thy Lust and Corruption. Oh! if thy Ears be open, it will speak with a Voice that shall make thee tremble, that shall cast thee to the ground, and fill thee with Astonishment. If ever thou wilt mortify thy Corruptions, thou must tie up thy Conscience to the Law, shut it from all shifts and Exceptions until it owns its Guilt, with a clear and through Apprehension: So that thence, (as David speaks) thy Iniquity may ever be before thee.
By such wayes (I say then) as these, perswade thy Conscience to hearken diligently to what the Law speaks in the Name of the Lord unto thee, about thy Lust and Corruption. Oh! if thy Ears be open, it will speak with a Voyce that shall make thee tremble, that shall cast thee to the ground, and fill thee with Astonishment. If ever thou wilt mortifie thy Corruptions, thou must tye up thy Conscience to the Law, shut it from all shifts and Exceptions untill it owns its Guilt, with a clear and through Apprehension: So that thence, (as David speaks) thy Iniquity may ever be before thee.