A53719:713
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.
(2) That the Soul do find a Spiritual Relish and Savour in the things which it so adheres unto. The Affections are the ⟨p. 313⟩Palate of the Soul, whereby it tastes of all things which it receiveth or refuseth; and it will not long cleave unto any thing which they find not a Savour and Relish in. Something was spoken before of that Sweetness which is in Spiritual things; and the taste of them consists in a gracious Sense of their Suitableness unto the Affections, Inclinations and Dispositions of the Mind. Hence they have no Relish unto Men of Carnal Minds. Whoever therefore would know whether his Affections do sincerely adhere unto Spiritual things, let him examine what Relish, what Sweetness, what Savour he findeth in them. When he is pleased with them as the Palate with suitable and proper Food, when he finds that he receives Nourishment by them in the inward man; then doth he adhere unto them in a due manner.
(2) That the Soul do find a Spiritual Relish and Savour in the things which it so adheres unto. The Affections are the ⟨p. 313⟩Palate of the Soul, whereby it tasts of all things which it receiveth or refuseth; and it will not long cleave unto any thing which they find not a Savour and Relish in. Something was spoken before of that Sweetness which is in Spiritual things; and the tast of them consists in a gracious Sense of their Suitableness unto the Affections, Inclinations and Dispositions of the Mind. Hence they have no Relish unto Men of Carnal Minds. Whoever therefore would know whether his Affections do sincerely adhere unto Spiritual things, let him examine what Relish, what Sweetness, what Savour he findeth in them. When he is pleased with them as the Palate with suitable and proper Food, when he finds that he receives Nourishment by them in the inward man; then doth he adhere unto them in a due manner.
This Spiritual Taste is the Ground of all Experience, it is not what we have heard or understood only, but what we have tried and tasted, whereof we have Experience. This makes us long for what we have formerly enjoyed, and strengthens Faith, as unto what we pray for and expect.