A90277:209
Of Temptation
Of temptation the nature and power of it. The danger of entering into it. And the means of preventing the danger. With a resolution of sundry cases thereunto belonging, / by John Owen, D.D.Of temptation the nature and povver of it. The danger of entring into it. And the meanes of preventing the danger. With a resolution of sundry cases thereunto belonging, / by John Owen, D.D.
Oxford: printed by H. Hall for T. Robinson, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
I mentioned before the case of the spouse, Cant. 5. 2, 3, 4, 5. she slept, and was drowsy, and unwilling to gird up her self to a vigorous performance of duties, in a way of quick active communion with Christ. Before she is aware, she hath lost her beloved; then she means, enquires, cries, endures woundings, reproaches, and all, before she obtains him again. Consider then O poor soul, thy state and condition! doth thy light burn dim? or though it give to others as great a blaze, as formerly, yet thou seest not so clearly the face of God in Christ, 1by it as thou hast done? is thy zeal cold? or if it do the same works as formerly, yet thy heart is not warmed ⟨p. 116⟩with the Love of God, and to God, in them as formerly, but only thou proceedest in the course thou hast been in? art thou negligent in duties of praying or hearing? or if thou dost observe them, thou doest it not with that life and vigour as formerly? Dost thou flag in thy profession? or if thou keep it up, yet thy wheels are oiled by some sinister respects from within or without? does thy delight in the people of God faint and grow cold? or is thy love to them changing from that which is purely spiritual, into that which is very carnal, upon the account of suitableness of principles, and natural spirits, if not worse foundations? if thou art drowsing in such a condition as this; take heed! thou art falling into some woeful temptation, that will break all thy bones, and give thee wounds that shall stick by thee all the days of thy life. Yea when thou awakest thou wilt find, that it hath indeed laid hold of thee already, though thou perceivedst it not; ⟨p. 117⟩it hath smitten and wounded thee, though thou hast not complained, nor sought for relief or healing.
I mentioned before the case of the spouse, Cant. 5. 2, 3, 4, 5. she slept, and was drowsy, and unwilling to gird up her selfe to a vigorous performance of duties, in a way of quick active communion with Christ. Before she is aware, she hath lost her beloved; then she meanes, enquires, cryes, endures woundings, reproaches, and all, before she obtaines him againe. Consider then O poore soule, thy state and condition! doth thy light burne dimme? or though it give to others as great a blaze, as formerly, yet thou seest not so clearly the face of God in Christ,