A53719:513
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.
Hence I say, those that place their Righteousness, or that which is the principal Part of it, in the Duties of Religious Worship, will not only be diligent in them, but oft times abound in a Multiplication of them. Especially will they do so, if they may be performed in such a way and manner, as pleaseth their Affections with a show of Humility and Devotion, requiring nothing of the Exercise of Faith, or sincere Divine Love therein. So is it with many in all kinds of Religion, whether the way of their Worship be true or false, whether it be appointed of God, or rejected by him. And the declaration hereof is the subject of the Discourse of the Prophet, Isaiah, 1.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Also, Mich. 6.7, 8.
Hence I say, those that place their Righteousness, or that which is the principal Part of it, in the Duties of Religious Worship, will not only be diligent in them, but oft times abound in a Multiplication of them. Especially will they do so, if they may be performed in such a way and manner, as pleaseth their Affections with a shew of Humility and Devotion, requiring nothing of the Exercise of Faith, or sincere Divine Love therein. So is it with many in all kinds of Religion, whether the way of their Worship be true or false, whether it be appointed of God, or rejected by him. And the declaration hereof is the subject of the Discourse of the Prophet, Isaiah, 1.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Also, Mich. 6.7, 8.
Fourthly, The Reputation of Devotion in Religious Duties, may insensibly affect the unrenewed Minds of Men with great diligence and delight in their performance. However Men are divided in their Apprehension and Practice about Religion; however different from, and contrary unto each other, their ways of Divine Worship are; Yet it is amongst all sorts of men, yea, in the secret thoughts of them who outwardly contemn these things, a matter of Reputation to be devout, to be diligent, to be strict in and about those Duties of Religion, which according to their own Light and Persuasion they judge incumbent on them. This greatly affects the Minds of Men, whilst Pride is secretly predominant