A53719:616
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.
Secondly, There will be in such Persons, no Decays in Holiness of Life, nor as unto Diligence in all Religious Duties. If the Decay be really of Grace in the Affections, it will be accompanied with a proportionable Decay in all other things, wherein the Life of God is concerned. But if it be only as unto the sensible Actings of natural Affections, no such Decay will ensue.
Secondly, There will be in such Persons, no Decayes in Holiness of Life, nor as unto Diligence in all Religious Duties. If the Decay be really of Grace in the Affections, it will be accompanied with a proportionable Decay in all other things, wherein the Life of God is concerned. But if it be only as unto the sensible Actings of natural Affections, no such Decay will ensue.
Thirdly, Grace will in this case more vigorously act it self in the other Faculties and Powers of the Soul, as the Judgment and the Will in their Approbation of, and firm adherence unto Spiritual things. But
Fourthly, When men find, or may find their Affections yet quick, active, and intent on other things, as the lawful Enjoyments and Comforts of this Life, it is in vain for them to relieve themselves, that the Decays they find, are in their Affections as natural, and not as they ought to be gracious. If we see a man in his old age grow more in Love with the things of this World, and less in Love with the things of God, it is not through the weakness of nature, but through the strength of Sin.
Fourthly, When men find, or may find their Affections yet quick, active, and intent on other things, as the lawful Enjoyments and Comforts of this Life, it is in vain for them to relieve themselves, that the Decayes they find, are in their Affections as natural, and not as they ought to be gratious. If we see a man in his old age grow more in Love with the things of this World, and less in Love with the things of God, it is not through the weakness of nature, but through the strength of Sin.