A53719:200
The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded
Phronemma tou pneumatou, or, The grace and duty of being spiritually-minded declared and practically improved / by John Owen ...Phronēma tou pneumatou, or, The grace and duty of being spiritually-minded declared and practically improved / by John Owen ...
London: printed by J.G. for Nathaniel Ponder, 1681
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.
Especially this Advice is needful unto those who are Rich, who have large Possessions, or abound in the Goods of this world. The Poor, the Afflicted, the Sorrowful are prompted from their outward circumstances as well as excited by inward Grace, frequently to remember and to think of the Things above, wherein lies their only Reserve and Relief against the trouble and urgency of their present condition. But the enjoyment of these things in abundance, is accompanied with a two-fold evil, lying directly contrary unto this Duty.
Especially this Advice is needful unto those who are Rich, who have large Possessions, or abound in the Goods of this world. The Poor, the Afflicted, the Sorrowful are prompted from their outward circumstances as well as excited by inward Grace, frequently to remember and to think of the Things above, wherein lyes their only Reserve and Relief against the trouble and urgency of their present condition. But the enjoyment of these things in abundance, is accompanyed with a two-fold evil, lying directly contrary unto this Duty.
1. A Desire of increase and adding thereunto. Earthly enjoyments enlarge mens Earthly Desires; and the Love of them grows with their income. A moderate stock ⟨p. 95⟩of Waters, sufficient for our use, may be kept within ordinary banks. But if a Flood be turned into them, they know no bounds, but overflow all about them. The increase of Wealth and Riches enlargeth the Desires of men after them, beyond all bounds of wisdom, sobriety, or safety. He that labours hard for his daily bread, hath seldom such earnest vehement Desires of an Addition unto what he hath, as many have who already have more than they know how to use, or almost what to do withal. This they must have more, and the last Advantage serves for nothing but to stir them up to look out for another. And yet such men would on other Accounts be esteemed good Christians, and Spiritually minded, as all Good Christians are.
1. A Desire of encrease and adding thereunto. Earthly enjoyments enlarge mens Earthly Desires; and the Love of them grows with their income. A moderate stock