A53719:607
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.
IT must be acknowledged, that there is yet that which is worse than what we have yet insisted on, and more opposite unto the Growth of Affections in Conformity unto Heavenly things, which is the proper Character of those that are Spiritually renewed. And this is their Spiritual Decay manifesting it self in sensible and visible Effects.
Some there are, yea many, who upon the Beginning of a Profession of their Conversion unto God, have made a great appearance of vigorous, active, Spiritual Affections; yea, it is so with most, it may be, all who are really so converted. God takes notice of the Love of the Youth in his People, of the Love of their Espousals.
In some, this vigour of Spiritual Affections is from the real Power of Grace, exerting its Efficacy on their Hearts and in their Minds. In others, it is from other Causes, as for Instance, Relief from Conviction by Spiritual Illumination, will produce this Effect. And this falls out unto their Advantage of such Persons that generally a Change is wrought in their younger days. For then their Affections in their natural Powers are active, and bear great sway in the whole Soul. Wherefore the Change that is made, is ⟨p. 272⟩most eminent in them, be it what it will. But as men Increase in Age, and thereon grow up in Carnal Wisdom, and a great valuation of Earthly things, with their Care about them and Converse in them, they abate and decay in their Spiritual Affections every day. They will abide in their Profession, but have lost their first Love.
In some, this vigiour of Spiritual Affections is from the real Power of Grace, exerting its Efficacy on their Hearts and in their Minds. In others, it is from other Causes, as for Instance, Relief from Conviction by Spiritual Illumination, will produce this Effect. And this falls out unto their Advantage of such Persons that generally a Change is wrought in their younger dayes. For then their Affections in their natural Powers are active, and bear great sway in the whole Soul. Wherefore the Change that is made, is