A53719:317
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.
(2.) In Thoughts of the Divine Being and Existence, we are apt to be at a loss, to be as it were overwhelmed in our minds, because the Object is too great and Glorious for us to contemplate on. Eternity and Immensity, every thing under the notion of Infinite, take off the mind from its distinct actings, and reduce it as it were unto nothing. Hereon in some, not able to abide in the strict Reasons of things, vain and foolish Imaginations are apt to arise, and enquiries how can these things be, which we cannot comprehend? Others are utterly at a loss, and turn away their Thoughts from them, as they would do their eyes from the bright beams of the Sun. Two things are advisable in this case.
(2.) In Thoughts of the Divine Being and Existence, we are apt to be at a loss, to be as it were overwhelmed in our minds, because the Object is too great and Glorious for us to contemplate on. Eternity and Immensity, every thing under the notion of Infinite, take off the mind from its distinct actings, and reduce it as it were unto nothing. Hereon in some, not able to abide in the strict Reasons of things, vain and foolish Imaginations are apt to arise, and enquiries how can these things be, which we cannot comprehend? Others are utterly at a loss, and turn away their Thoughts from them, as they would do their eyes from the bright beams of the Sun. Two things are adviseable in this case.
1. That we betake our selves unto an holy Admiration of what we cannot comprehend. In these things we cannot see God and Live; nay in life Eternal it self they are not absolutely to be comprehended, only what is Infinite can fully comprehend what is so. Here they are the Objects of Faith and Worship, in them we may find rest and satisfaction, when enquiries and reasonings will disquiet us, and it may be overwhelm us. Infinite Glory forbids us any near approach but only by Faith. The Soul thereby bowing down it self unto Gods adorable Greatness, and Incomprehensible Perfections, finding our selves to be nothing and God to be all, will ⟨p. 157⟩