A53715:78
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.
A. 1. By causing our hearts to abound in Grace, and the Fruits that are contrary to the Flesh, and the Fruits thereof, and Principles of them. So the Apostle opposes the Fruits of the Flesh, and of the Spirit: The Fruits of the Flesh (says he) are so and so, Gal. 5.19, 20. but says he, the Fruits of the Spirit are quite contrary, quite of another sort, v. 22, 23. Yea, but what if these are in us, and do abound, may not the other abound also? No, says he, v. 24. They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts: But how? Why, v. 25. by living in the Spirit, and walking after ⟨p. 33⟩the Spirit: That is, by the abounding of these Graces of the Spirit in us, and walking according to them. For, saith the Apostle, these are contrary one to another, v. 17. so that they cannot both be in the same subject, in any intense or high degree. This Renewing of us by the Holy Ghost, as it is called, Tit. 3.5. is one great way of Mortification: He causes us to grow, thrive, flourish, and abound in those Graces which are contrary, opposite, and destructive to all the fruits of the Flesh, and to the quiet, or thriving of indwelling sin it self.
A. 1. By causing our hearts to abound in Grace, and the Fruits that are contrary to the Flesh, and the Fruits thereof, and Principles of them. So the Apostle opposes the Fruits of the Flesh, and of the Spirit: The Fruits of the Flesh (says he) are so and so, Gal. 5.19, 20. but sayes he, the Fruits of the Spirit are quite contrary, quite of another sort, v. 22, 23. Yea, but what if these are in us, and do abound, may not the other abound also? No, sayes he, v. 24. They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts: But how? Why, v. 25. by living in the Spirit, and walking after ⟨p. 33⟩the Spirit: That is, by the abounding of these Graces of the Spirit in us, and walking according to them. For, saith the Apostle, these are contrary one to another, v. 17. so that they cannot both be in the same subject, in any intense or high degree. This Renewing of us by the Holy Ghost, as it is called,