A53715:262
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.
Hast thou not found Grace decaying; Delight in Duties, Ordinances, Prayer and Meditation, vanishing; inclinations to loose careless walking, thriving; and they who before were entangled, almost beyond recovery? Hast thou not found thy self engaged in such Ways, Societies, Companies, and that with delight, as God abhors? and wilt thou venture any more to the brink of Hardness?
Hast thou not found Grace decaying; Delight in Duties, Ordinances, Prayer and Meditation, vanishing; inclinations to loose careless walking, thriving; and they who before were entangled, almost beyond recovery? Hast thou not found thy self engaged in such Wayes, Societies, Companies, and that with delight, as God abhorres? and wilt thou venture any more to the brink of Hardness?
3. All Gods gracious dealings with thee in Providential Dispensations, Deliverances, Afflictions, Mercies, Enjoyments, all ought here to take place. By these I say, and the like Means, load thy Conscience, and leave it not until it be throughly affected with the Guilt of thy indwelling Corruption: Until it is sensible of its Wound, and lye in the dust before the Lord. Unless this be done to the purpose, all other Endeavours are to no purpose. Whilst the Conscience hath any Means to alleviate the Guilt of Sin, the Soul will never vigorously attempt its Mortification.
3. All Gods gracious dealings with thee in Providential Dispensations, Deliverances, Afflictions, Mercies, Enjoyments, all ought here to take place. By these I say, and the like Means, load thy Conscience, and leave it not untill it be throughly affected with the Guilt of thy indwelling Corruption: Untill it is sensible of its Wound, and lye in the dust before the Lord. Unless this be done to the purpose, all other Endeavours are to no purpose. Whilest the Conscience hath any Means to alleviate the Guilt of Sin, the Soul will never vigorously attempt its Mortification.