A53715:270
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.
Some with an open Profaneness will ascribe gross Enormities to their Temper and Disposition. And whether others may not relieve themselves from the pressing Guilt of their Distempers by the same Consideration, I know not. It is from the F•ll, from the Original depravation of our Natures, that the fomes and Nourishment of any Sin abides in our Natural Temper. David reckons his being shapen in Iniquity, and conception in Sin, Psal. 51.5. as an Aggravation of his following Sin, not a lessening or extenuation of it. That thou art ⟨p. 123⟩peculiarly inclined unto any sinful Distemper, is but a peculiar breaking out of Original Lust in thy Nature, which should peculiarly abase and humble thee.
Some with an open Profaneness will ascribe gross Enormities to their Temper and Disposition. And whether others may not relieve themselves from the pressing Guilt of their Distempers by the same Consideration, I know not. It is from the F•ll, from the Original depravation of our Natures, that the fomes and Nourishment of any Sin abides in our Natural Temper. David reckons his being shapen in Iniquity, and conception in Sin, Psal. 51.5. as an Aggravation of his following Sin, not a lessening or extenuation of it. That thou art ⟨p. 123⟩peculiarly inclined unto any sinfull Distemper, is but a peculiar breaking out of Original Lust in thy Nature, which should peculiarly abase and humble thee.
2. That thou hast to fix upon on this account, in reference to thy walking with God, is, that so great an Advantage is given to Sin, as also to Satan, by this thy Temper and Disposition, that without extraordinary Watchfulness, Care and Diligence, they will assuredly prevail against thy Soul. Thousands have been on this account hurried headlong to Hell, who otherwise (at least) might have gone at a more gentle, less provoking, less mischievous rate.