A53719:686
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 may be some cannot say that a distinct Apprehension of these things, was the first Foundation and Cause of their Love to God; yet are they satisfied that they do love him in Sincerity with all their souls. And I say, it may be so. God sometimes calls the skirt of his own Love, over the heart of a poor sinner, and efficaciously draws it unto himself, without a distinct Apprehension of these things by a mere sense of the Love it hath received. So Elijah passed by Elisha, and cast his Mantle upon him as a transient Act. But there was such a Communication of Virtue thereby, that he ran after him, and would not be deferred, though Elijah said, go back again, for what have I done unto thee, 1 Kings 19.19, 20. When God hath so cast his Love on any soul, it follows after him with all its Affections. And whereas God may seem at some times to say, go back again, for what have I done unto thee; its Answer is, Lord, whether shall I go, I cannot leave thee, my Heart is given up unto thee, and shall never be taken from thee.
It may be some cannot say that a distinct Apprehension of these things, was the first Foundation and Cause of their Love to God; yet are they satisfyed that they do love him in Sincerity with all their souls. And I say, it may be so. God sometimes calls the skirt of his own Love, over the heart of a poor sinner, and efficaciously draws it unto himself, without a distinct Apprehension of these things by a meere sense of the Love it hath received. So Elijah passed by Elisha, and cast his Mantle upon him as a transient Act. But there was such a Communication of Virtue thereby, that he ran after him, and would not be deferred, though Elijah said, go back again, for what have I done unto thee, 1 Kings 19.19, 20. When God hath so cast his Love on any soul, it follows after him with all its Affections. And whereas God may seem at some times to say, go back again, for what have I done unto thee; its Answer is, Lord, whether shall I go, I cannot leave thee, my Heart is given up unto thee, and shall never be taken from thee.