A53719:617
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.
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.
On these, and it may be, some other the like Occasions, there may be an Apprehension of a Decay in Spiritual Affections, when it may not be so, at least not unto the Degree that is apprehended. But when it is so really, as it is evidently with many, I had almost said with the most in these Days, it is a woeful Frame of Heart, and never enough to be lamented. It is that which lies in direct Contradiction unto that Spiritual-Mindedness which is Life and Peace. It is a Consumption of the Soul which threatens it with Death every day.
On these, and it may be, some other the like Occasions, there may be an Apprehension of a Decay in Spiritual Affections, when it may not be so, at least not unto the Degree that is apprehended. But when it is so really, as it is evidently with many, I had almost said with the most in these Dayes, it is a woful Frame of Heart, and never enough to be lamented. It is that which lies in direct Contradiction unto that Spiritual-Mindedness which is Life and Peace. It is a Consumption of the Soul which threatens it with Death every day.