A53719:748
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.
Now the great means of retaining a Sense of the Love of God, which is the only spring of Life and Peace unto our Souls, is this Grace and Duty of being Spiritually-Minded. This is evident from the very nature of the Duty. For
(1) It is the Souls preserving of it self in a Frame meet to receive and retain this sense of Gods Love. What other way can there be on our part, but that our Minds which are so to receive it and retain it, are Spiritual and Heavenly, always prepared for that holy Converse and Communion with himself, which he is pleased to grant us through Jesus Christ. And,
(1) It is the Souls preserving of it self in a Frame meet to receive and retain this sense of Gods Love. What other way can there be on our part, but that our Minds which are so to receive it and retain it, are Spiritual and Heavenly, alwayes prepared for that holy Converse and Communion with himself, which he is pleased to grant us through Jesus Christ. And,
(2) It will fix our Thoughts and Affections upon the Grace and Love of God, communicating such an inestimable Mercy unto us, as is a Sense of his Love, which is the only means for the Preservation of a Relish of it in our Hearts. He who is in this Frame of Mind, will remember, call over, and ruminate upon all such gracious Pledges of divine Favour; as David is often remembering and calling over what he received in such Places, as in the Land of the Hermonites, and at the Hill Mizar, Psal. 42. This is the great way whereby this Treasure may be preserved.
(2) It will fix our Thoughts and Affections upon the Grace and Love of God, communicating such an inestimable Mercy unto us, as is a Sense of his Love, which is the only meanes for the Preservation of a Relish of it in our Hearts. He who is in this Frame of Mind, will remember, call over, and ruminate upon all such gracious Pledges of divine Favour; as David is often remembring and calling over what he received in such Places, as in the Land of the Hermonites, and at the Hill Missar,