A53719:557
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.
And as it is with Believers, as unto the hearing of the Word in general, so it is as unto the Degrees of Advantage which they find by it. When Men have enjoyed the Dispensation of the Word in a peculiar manner, Spiritual and Effectual, if they can be content to forego it, for that which is more cold and lifeless, provided it possesseth the same time, and outward Form with the other, it is no great Evidence that their Souls do prosper. It is therefore those alone, who having a sense of the Efficacy of the Word on their Souls and Consciences unto all the holy Ends of it, who cleave unto it with Spiritual Love and Delight. They continually ⟨p. 250⟩remember what holy Impressions it hath made on them, what Engagements it hath brought their Souls into, what encouragements unto Faith and Obedience it hath furnished them withal, and long after renewed Sense of its Enjoyments. When we do not find in our selves this Foundation of Spiritual delight in the Dispensation of the Gospel, we can have no great Evidence that our Affections are renewed.
And as it is with Believers, as unto the hearing of the Word in general, so it is as unto the Degrees of Advantage which they find by it. VVhen Men have enjoyed the Dispensation of the Word in a peculiar manner, Spiritual and Effectual, if they can be content to forego it, for that which is more cold and lifeless, provided it possesseth the same time, and outward Form with the other, it is no great Evidence that their Souls do prosper. It is therefore those alone, who having a sense of the Efficacy of the Word on their Souls and Consciences unto all the holy Ends of it, who cleave unto it with Spiritual Love and Delight. They continually ⟨p. 250⟩remember what holy Impressions it hath made on them, what Engagements it hath brought their Souls into, what encouragements unto Faith and Obedience it hath furnished them withal, and long after renewed Sense of its Enjoyments. When we do not find in our selves this Foundation of Spiritual delight in the Dispensation of the Gospel, we can have no great Evidence that our Affections are renewed.