A53719:612
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.
Some things must be spoken unto this woeful Condition in general, as that which is directly opposite unto the Grace and Duty of being Spiritually Minded; and contrary unto, and obstructive of the Growth of Spiritual Affections in an Assimilation unto Heavenly things. And what shall be spoken may be applied unto all the Degrees of these Decays, though all of them are not alike dangerous or perilous.
Some things must be spoken unto this woful Condition in general, as that which is directly opposite unto the Grace and Duty of being Spiritually Minded; and contrary unto, and obstructive of the Growth of Spiritual Affections in an Assimulation unto Heavenly things. And what shall be spoken may be applied unto all the Degrees of these Decayes, though all of them are not alike dangerous or perillous.
First, There may be a time of Temptation, wherein a Soul may apprehend in it self not only a Decay in, but an utter Loss of all Spiritual Affections, when yet it is not so. As Believers may apprehend and Judge that the Lord hath forsaken and forgotten them when he hath not done so, Isaiah 49.14, 15. So they may under their Temptations apprehend, that they have forsaken God, when they have not done so: As a man in the Night may apprehend he hath lost his way, and be in great Distress, when he is in his proper Road. For Temptation brings Darkness and Amazement, and leads into Mistakes and a false Judgement in all things. They find not, it may be, Grace working in Love, Joy, and Delight as formerly, nor that Activity of Heart and Mind in Holy Duties which Spiritual Affections gave unto them. But yet it may be, the same Grace works in Godly Sorrow, by Mourning, Humiliation, and Self-Abasement, no less effectually, nor less acceptably unto God. Such as these I separate from the present Consideration.
First, There may be a time of Temptation, wherein a Soul may apprehend in it self not only a Decay in, but an utter Loss of all Spiritual Affections, when yet it is not so. As Believers may apprehend and Judge that the Lord hath forsaken and forgotten them when he hath not done so,