A53719:413
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.
When men hear of these things, hey tare apt to say, let ⟨p. 191⟩the Dream be unto them that are openly wicked, and the Interpretation of it unto them that are profligate in Sin. Unto unclean Persons, Drunkards, Oppressors, proud ambitious Persons, it may be it is so; but as unto them, they use the things of this World with a due moderation, so as they are no Snare unto them. But to own they are used unto what end soever, if the Affections of men are set upon them, one way or other, there is nothing in the World, but is thus a Snare and Temptation. However we should be very careful how we adhere unto, or under value that which is the cause and means of the ruin of multitudes of Souls. By the warnings given us hereof, doth God design, as unto the use of means, to teach us the vanity and danger of fixing our Affections on things below.
When men hear of these things, hey tare apt to say, let ⟨p. 191⟩the Dream be unto them that are openly wicked, and the Interpretation of it unto them that are profligate in Sin. Unto unclean Persons, Drunkards, Oppressors, proud ambitious Persons, it may be it is so; but as unto them, they use the things of this World with a due moderation, so as they are no Snare unto them. But to own they are used unto what end soever, if the Affections of men are set upon them, one way or other, there is nothing in the World, but is thus a Snare and Temptation. However we should be very crreful how we adhere unto, or under value that which is the cause and means of the ruine of multitudes of Souls. By the warnings given us hereof, doth God design, as unto the use of means, to teach us the vanity and danger of fixing our Affections on things below.
Fourthly, Things are so ordered in the holy wise Dispensation of Gods Providence, that it requires much Spiritual Wisdom to distinguish between the use and the abuse of these things, between a lawful care about them, and an inordinate cleaving unto them. Few distinguish aright here, and therefore in these things will many find their great mistake at the last Day. The Disappointments that they will fall under, as to what concerns their earthly enjoyments and the use of them, wherewith they were entrusted, see