A53715:361
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.
1. It engages him to a full and speedy Assistance; nothing doth more engage the Heart of a man to be useful and helpful to another, than his Expectation of help from him, if justly raised and countenanced by him who is to give the Relief. Our Lord Jesus ⟨p. 172⟩hath raised our Hearts by his kindness, Care and Promises, to this Expectation; Certainly our rising up unto it, must needs be a great Engagement upon him to assist us accordingly. This the Psalmist gives us as an approved Maxim, Thou Lord never forsakest them that put their trust in thee. When the Heart is once won to rest in God, to repose himself on him, He will assuredly satisfy it. He will never be as water that fails, nor hath he said at any time to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye my face in vain. If Christ be chosen for the Foundation of our Supply, he will not fail us.
1. It engages him to a full and speedy Assistance; nothing doth more engage the Heart of a man to be usefull and helpfull to another, than his Expectation of help from him, if justly raised and countenanced by him who is to give the Relief. Our Lord Jesus ⟨p. 172⟩hath raised our Hearts by his kindness, Care and Promises, to this Expectation; Certainly our rising up unto it, must needs be a great Engagement upon him to assist us accordingly. This the Psalmist gives us as an approved Maxim, Thou Lord never forsakest them that put their trust in thee. When the Heart is once won to rest in God, to repose himself on him, He will assuredly satisfie it. He will never be as water that fails, nor hath he said at any time to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye my face in vain. If Christ be chosen for the Foundation of our Supply, he will not fail us.
2. It engages the Heart to attend diligently to all ways and Means whereby Christ is wont to communicate himself to the Soul, and so takes in the real Assistance of all Graces and Ordinances whatever. He that expects any thing from a man, applies himself to the ways and Means whereby it may be obtained. The Beggar that expects an Alms, lies at his door or in his way, from whom he doth expect it. The way whereby, and the Means wherein Christ communicates himself is, and are, his Ordinances ordinarily. He that expects any thing from him, must attend upon him therein. It is the expectation of Faith that sets the Heart on work. 'Tis not an idle groundless Hope that I speak of. If