A53719:721
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.
Wherefore, it is no ordinary nor easy thing to preserve our Affections pure, entire, and steady, in their vigorous adherence unto Spiritual things, against all these Solicitations. Watchfulness, Prayer, Faith in Exercise, and a daily Examination of our Selves are required hereunto. For want of a due attendance unto the these things, and that with respect unto this end, namely, the Preservation of our Spiritual Affections in their Integrity, many, even before they are ⟨p. 317⟩aware die away as to all Power and vigour of Spiritual Life.
Wherefore, it is no ordinary nor easy thing to preserve our Affections pure, entire, and steady, in their vigorous adherence unto Spiritual things, against all these Solicitations. Watchfulness, Prayer, Faith in Exercise, and a dayly Examination of our Selves are required hereunto. For want of a due attendance unto the these things, and that with respect unto this end, namely, the Preservation of our Spiritual Affections in their Integrity, many, even before they are ⟨p. 317⟩aware die away as to all Power and vigour of Spiritual Life.
Fifthly, Affections thus fixed upon things Spiritual and Heavenly, will give great Relief against the remainders of that Vanity of Mind which Believers themselves are oft times perplexed withal. Yea, I do not know any thing that is a greater Burden unto them, nor which they more groan for Deliverance from. The Instability of the Mind, its readiness to receive Impressions from things vain and useless, the irregularity of their Thoughts, are a continual Burden unto many. Nothing can give the Soul any relief herein, nothing can give bounds unto the endless vanity of foolish Imaginations, nothing can dry up the Springs from whence they arise, or render the Soil wherein they grow, barren as unto their Production and maintenance, but only the Growth of Spiritual Affections, with their continual vigorous Actings on Heavenly things. For hereby the Heart and Mind will be so united unto them, (that which the Psalmist prayers for,