A53719:214
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.
These things belong unto our Direction for the fixing of our Thoughts and Meditations on things above. This the meanest and weakest person who hath the least spark of Sincerity and Grace is capable of apprehending and able to practise. And it is that which the sense they have of the evil of sin will put them on every day, if they shut not their eyes against the Light of the Refreshment that is in it. Let them who cannot arise in their minds unto fixed and stable Thoughts of any other notion of these Invisible things, dwell on this consideration of them, wherein they will find no small Spiritual Advantage and Refreshment unto their Souls.
2. As unto the Positive Part of this glorious future State, the Thoughts and apprehensions of men are very various. And that we may know as well what to avoid, as what to embrace, we shall a little reflect on some of them.
1. Many are able to entertain no rational Conceptions about a future state of Blessedness and Glory, no notions wherein either Faith or Reason is concerned. Imagination they have of something that is great and glorious, but what it is they know not. No wonder if such Persons have no delight in, no use of Thoughts of Heaven. ⟨p. 101⟩When their Imaginations have fluctuated up and down in all uncertainties for a while, they are swallowed up in nothing. Glorious and therefore desirable they take it for granted that it must be. But nothing can be so unto them, but what is suitable unto their present Dispositions, Inclinations and Principles. And hereof there is nothing in the true Spiritual Glory of Heaven, or in the eternal enjoyment of God. These things are not suited unto the Wills of their minds and of the flesh, and therefore they cannot rise up unto any constant desires of them. Hence to please themselves, they begin to imagine what is not. But whereas what is truly Heaven pleaseth them not, and what doth please them is not Heaven, nor there to be found, they seldom or never endeavour in good earnest to exercise their Thoughts about it.