PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 13
John Owen · 215,009 words · 212 reading sections
Section 121
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 281 hearts, as the first fruits of glorj^ that we cannot but desire on all opportune considerations, to be in the full enjoyment of them, faith seems to have had its effectual work herein upon us. For want of these things do many among us walk in disconsolation all their days. 2. It will gr…
967 wordsSECTION 122Section 122
In that journey or pilgrimage wherein we are engaged towards a heavenly country, we are sure to meet with all kinds of dangers, difficulties, and perils. It is not a general notion of blessedness that will excite and work in us a spi- ritual refreshing hope. But when we think and meditate on future glory as we ought, t…
1,032 wordsSECTION 123Section 123
Those views which such a one hath had by faith of the uncreated glories above, of the things in heavenly places where Christ sits at the right hand of God, of the glory within the veil, whereby they have been realized and made present unto his soul, will now visit him every moment, abide with him continually, and put f…
1,077 wordsSECTION 124Section 124
28S THE GUACE A>fD DUTY OF that concernment in them, as are not consistent with their being spiritually minded. With some their relations, with some their enjoyments, with most both in conjunction, are an idol which they set up in their hearts, and secretly bow down unto. About these are their hopes and fears exer- ci…
939 wordsSECTION 125Section 125
2. Others are sensible of the evil of their hearts, at least are jealous and afraid lest it should be found that their hearts do cleave inordinately unto these things. Hence they endeavour to contend against this evil, sometimes by forcing themselves unto such acts of piety or charity as are contrary unto that frame, a…
1,176 wordsSECTION 126Section 126
But with many it is not so. Their minds are so full of earthly things, they do so cleave unto them in their affec- tions, that no sense of duty, no example of others, no con- cernment of the glory of God or the gospel can make any impressions on them. If there be yet in them so much life and light of grace, as to desig…
927 wordsSECTION 127Section 127
All that have an apprehension of a future state of happiness do agree in this matter, that it contains in it, or is accompanied with, a deliverance and freedom from all that is evil. But in what is so, they are not agreed. Many esteem only those things that are grievous, trouble- some, wasting and destructive unto natu…
937 wordsSECTION 128Section 128
It is quite otherwise with sincere believers in the exer- cise of this duty. The considerations of the grace and love of God, of the blood of Christ, of the purity and holiness of that good Spirit that dwelleth in them, of the light, grace, and mercy which they have attained through the promises of the gospel, are thos…
919 wordsSECTION 129Section 129
3, Some of the philosophers of old did attain an appre- hension that the blessedness of men in another world doth consist in the soul's full satisfaction in the goodness and beauty of the divine nature. And there is a truth in this notion which contemplative men have adorned with excel- lent and rational discourses. An…
952 wordsSECTION 130Section 130
Some perhaps will be ready to say, that if this be heaven, they can see no great glory in it, no such beauty as for which it should be desired. It may be so, for some have no instrument to take a view of invisible things but carnal ima- ginations. Some have no light, no principle, no disposition of mind or soul, whereu…
1,027 wordsSECTION 131Section 131
304 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF tion of virtue unto him, he saw all things clearly, ver. 25, It was not a sight of another kind which he then received, than what he had at first ; only its imperfection whereby he * saw men like trees walking,' was taken away. Nor will our perfect vision of things above, be a grace absolutel…
1,156 wordsSECTION 132Section 132
It were well if we would try ourselves by things of so uncontrollable evidence. What can any object unto the truth of these things, or the necessity of this duty ? If it be otherwise with us, it is from one of these two causes ; either we are not convinced of the truth and reality of them, or we have no delight in them…
1,024 wordsSECTION 133Section 133
BEING SPIRITl'ALLY MINDED. 309 CHAP. VII. Especial objects of spiritual thoughts on the glorious state of heaven, and what belongs thereunto. First, of Christ himself. Thoughts of heavenly glory, in opposition unto thoughts of eternal misery. The use of such thou(/hts. Advantage in sufferings. It will be unto our ad…
1,180 wordsSECTION 134Section 134
Pray, therefore, that you may be kept unto the truth iu all things, by a diligent attendance unto the only rule there- of, and conscientious subjection of soul unto the authority of God in it. For we ought not to suffer our affections to be entangled with the paint or artificial beauty of any way or means of giving our…
1,001 wordsSECTION 135Section 135
314 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF after a long profession of faith and holiness, fell into great darkness and distress, merely on this account, that he did not experience in himself, the sweetness, life, and power of the testimonies given concerning the real communications of the love of Christ unto, and the intimation of his…
1,033 wordsSECTION 136Section 136
1. To have our minds filled and possessed with thoughts thereof, will give us an alacrity in our entrance into sufferings in a way of duty. Other considerations will offer themselves unto our relief, which will quickly fade and disappear. Tiiey are like a cordial water which gives a little relief for a sea- son, and th…
1,058 wordsSECTION 137Section 137
To make way for directions how to exercise our thoughts on God himself, some thing must be premised concerning a sinful defect herein, with the causes of it. First, It is the great character of a man presumptuously BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 319 and flagitiously wicked, ' that God is not in all his thoughts ;' Psal. …
1,013 wordsSECTION 138Section 138
2. The contempt of gospel light and Christian religion, as it is supernatural (which is the beginning of transgression unto all atheists among us), begets in and leaves on the mind such a depraved, corrupt habit, such a congeries of all evils, that the hatred of the goodness, wisdom, and grace of God can produce, that …
1,088 wordsSECTION 139Section 139
3. There are yet less degrees of this disregard of God and forgetfulness of him. Some are so filled with thoughts of the world, and the occasions of life, that it is impossible they should think of God as they ought. For as the love of God, and the love of the world, in prevalent degrees, are in- consistent, (* for if …
999 wordsSECTION 140Section 140
326 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF liath not done it: and where he will have the power of any corruption to be afflictive in any instance, two things may safely be ascribed to him. 1, He withholds the supplies of that grace whereby it might be effectually mortified and subdued. He can give in a sufficiency of efficacious grac…
1,023 wordsSECTION 141Section 141
2. We must distinguish between the perplexing solicita- tion of any lust, and the conquering predominancy of it. The evil that is present with us, will be soliciting and pressing unto sin of its own accord, even where there is no such especial temptation as that spoken of before. So is the case stated, so are the natur…
1,011 wordsSECTION 142Section 142
2. As they will not, so they dare not, think of God. They will not, because of the power of their lusts ; they dare not, because of their guilt. No sooner should they begin to think of him in good earnest, but their sin would lose all its desirable forms and appearances, and represent itself in the horror of guilt alon…
973 wordsSECTION 143Section 143
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 333 glory, when God shall be all in all, but through the delight and satisfaction which we have here in the contemplation of what God is in himself, as the centre of all divine per- fections. I would therefore press this unknown, this neglected duty on the minds of those of us in an especial…
901 wordsSECTION 144Section 144
It is the spiritual mind alone that can reconcile those things which are prescribed us as our duty towards God. To delight and rejoice in him always, to triumph in the re- membrance of him, to draw nigh unto him with boldness and confidence, are, on the one hand, prescribed unto us : and on the other it is so, that we …
1,003 wordsSECTION 145Section 145
But herein consists the very life of all religion. The fear of God is in the Old Testament the usual expression of all the due respect of our souls unto him ; and that because where that is not in exercise, nothing is accepted with him. And thence the vvholeof our wisdom is said to consist there- in; and if it be not i…
953 wordsSECTION 146Section 146
2. Because of the unaccountable confusions that all things are filled withal at this day in the world. Whatever in former times hath been a temptation in human affairs unto any of the people of God, it abounds at this day. Never had men, profane and profligate, greater outward ap- pearances to strengthen them in their …
925 wordsSECTION 147Section 147
It is what is suited unto suggestions on the occasion of our meditations that we inquire after. In them we are not to argue on such principles, but to take the shield of faith to quench these fiery darts. And if on such occasions Satan can divert us into long disputes about the being of God, he hath his end, by carryin…
976 wordsSECTION 148Section 148
344 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF 2. In case we are brought unto a loss and disorder in our minds, on the contemplation of any one infinite property of God, it is good to divert our thoughts unto the effects of it, such as whereof we have, or may have, experience ; for what is too great or high for us in itself, is made suita…
927 wordsSECTION 149Section 149
Yea, such thoughts are needful unto the best of us all, and in the best of our societies, that we behave not ourselves indecently in them at any time. Again, unto some, privacy, secrecy, and opportunity, are occasions of temptation and sin. They are so unto persons under convictions not wholly turned to God. Many a go…
936 wordsSECTION 150Section 150
Wherefore, on such occasions, when the hearts of men are ready to quake, when they see all things about them filled with dread and terror, and all help far away, it is, I say, their duty and wisdom to abstract and take off their thoughts from all outward and present appearances, and to fix them on the presence of God. …
1,129 wordsSECTION 151Section 151
Take one instance, which is the continual concernment of us all. We are obnoxious unto death every moment. It is never the farther from any of us because we think not of it as we ought. This will lay our bodies in the dust, from whence they will have no more disposition nor power in themselves to rise again, than any o…
1,066 wordsSECTION 152Section 152
First, That sense of the vanity of our minds which this consideration duly attended unto will give us, ought greatly to humble and abase our souls. Whence is it thus with us, that we cannot abide in thoughts and meditations of things spiritual and heavenly ? Is it because they are such things as we have no great concer…
977 wordsSECTION 153Section 153
This therefore being the original cause of all that dis- ability of mind as unto steadiness in holy thoughts and meditations whereof you do complain, when you are affected therewith, turn unto the consideration of that from whence it doth proceed. Labour to be humbled greatly, and to walk humbly, under a sense of the r…
976 wordsSECTION 154Section 154
By the strength of their natural abilities, men may frame thoughts of God, and heavenly things in their minds, accord- ing unto the knowledge they have of them. They may methodize them by rules of art, and express them elegantly unto others. But even while they do so, they may be far enough from being spiritually minde…
994 wordsSECTION 155Section 155
360 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF it will not bring forth a useful crop. Let not any think that this frame of a spiritual mind, wherein there is a disposition unto, and a readiness for, all holy thoughts of God, of Christ, of spiritual and heavenly things, at all tinaes and on all oc- casions, will befall him and continue wit…
1,094 wordsSECTION 156Section 156
6. Continual watchful care, that no root of bitterness spring up and defile us ; that no lust or corruption be pre- dominant in us. When it is so, if persons in compliance with their convictions do endeavour sometimes to be exer- cised in these duties, they shall labour in the very fire, where all their endeavours will…
996 wordsSECTION 157Section 157
This, therefore, is not that which I invite the common sort of believers unto. Let them that are able and free re- ceive it. The generality of Christians have lawful callings, employments, and businesses, which ordinarily they ought to abide in. That they also may live unto God in their oc- casions, they may do well to…
989 wordsSECTION 158Section 158
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 367 it may be, through weariness of occasions are fit for nothing else, we are not to expect any great success in it. This is one pregnant reason why men are so cold and formal, so lifeless in spiritual duties, namely, the times and seasons which they allot unto them. When the body is wearied…
900 wordsSECTION 159Section 159
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 369 to rise, and never once effect it. Remember how many suc- cessless attempts you have made upon it, and all have come to nothing, or that which is as bad as nothing. I cannot say that in this way you shall always succeed ; but I fear you will never have success in this duty, without sucTi …
904 wordsSECTION 160Section 160
The first, was the habitual frame, disposition, and incli- nation of the mind in its affections. The second, was the usual exercise of the mind in its thoughts, meditations, and desires about heavenly things. W hereunto, thirdly, was added, the complacency of mind in that relish and savour which it finds in spiritual…
1,064 wordsSECTION 161Section 161
Affections are in the soul, as the helm in the ship ; if it be laid hold on by a skilful hand, he turneth the whole vessel which way he pleaseth. If God hath the powerful hand of his grace upon our affections, he turns our souls unto a com- pliance with his institutions, instructions, in mercy, affec- tions, trials, al…
1,019 wordsSECTION 162Section 162
376 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF covenant and the new. For they were many of them about temporal things, the good things of this world, and this life ; those of the new are mostly of things spiritual and eternal. God would not call off the church wholly from a regard unto these things, until he had given a sufficient demonst…
1,320 wordsSECTION 163Section 163
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 379 present concernment. From the beginning it was not so : and it is well if, in such a way, men are able to maintain the frame of mind inquired after, which is life and peace. 3. God continues to cast contempt on these things, by giving always incomparably the greatest portion of them unto…
1,234 wordsSECTION 164Section 164
Thirdly, God hath openly and fully declared the danger that is in these things, as unto their enjoyment and use; and what multitudes of souls miscarry, by an inordinate adherence unto them ! For they are the matter of those temptations, whereby the souls of men are ruined for ever; the fuel that supplies the fire of th…
933 wordsSECTION 165Section 165
384 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF this kind, who live in palpable excesses, either of pride of life, or sensual pleasures, vain apparel, and the like. So in particular, most men, in their feastings and entertainments, walk in direct contempt of the rules which our Saviour gives in that case, Luke xiv. 12 — 14. and yet approve…
928 wordsSECTION 166Section 166
3. If you would be able to make a right judgment in this case, be sure that you have another object for your affections, w^hich hath a predominant interest in your minds, and which will evidence itself so to have on all occasions. Let a man be never so observant of himself, as unto all out- ward duties required of him,…
948 wordsSECTION 167Section 167
Unless these things are found in us, none of us, no man living, if it be not so with him, can have any refreshing evi- dence or assurance, that he is not under the power of an in- ordinate, yea, and predominant love unto this world. And indeed to add a little farther on the occasion of this digression, it is a sad thi…
1,011 wordsSECTION 168Section 168
CHAP. XII. What IS requited in, and unto our affections, that they may he spiritual. A threefold work on the affections described. To declare the interest of our affections in this frame of being spiritually minded, and what they contribute there- unto, I shall do these three things : First, Declare what is required…
968 wordsSECTION 169Section 169
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 393 ways : what is the Almighty that we should serve him ? or what profit should we have if we pray unto him V Job. xxi. 14,15. SeeRom. i. 28. viii. 7, 8. 2. An inordinate cleaving unto things vain, earthly, and sensual; causing the soul to engage into the pursuit of them, as the horse rushe…
1,261 wordsSECTION 170Section 170
396 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain.' A change and alteration is promised in the natures, principles, and first inclinations of the worst and most savage sinners, who pa…
970 wordsSECTION 171Section 171
There is no difficulty unto spiritual light, to distinguish between these occasional impressions on the affections, and that spiritual renovation of them which we inquire after. This alone is sufficient to do it, that they are all of them temporary and evanid. 'They abide for awhile only,' as our Saviour speaks, and ev…
1,062 wordsSECTION 172Section 172
He requires the whole heart, and will have it or none. BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 401 The chief work of a Christian is to make all his affections in all their operations subservient unto the life of God; Rom. vi. 17. And he who is wise will keep a continual watch over those wherein he finds the greatest reluctancy the…
1,317 wordsSECTION 173Section 173
2 D 2 404 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF 2. In other spiritual things, renewed affections da cleave unto them according as God is in them. God alone is loved for himself; all other things for him, in the measure and degree of his presence in them. This alone gives them pre-eminence in renewed affections ; for instance, God is…
967 wordsSECTION 174Section 174
CHAP. XIV. Tits second difference between affections spiritually renewed and those who have been only changed by lif/ht and conviction. Grounds and reasons of men's delight in duties of divine worship, and of their diligence in their performance vjhose minds are not spiritually minded. The second difference lieth her…
1,099 wordsSECTION 175Section 175
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. 409 he gave why he did it was, that the modulation of the voice and musical tune might not divert the minds of men from that spiritual affection which is required, of them in sacred duties. What there is of real order in the worship of God, as there is that order which is an effect of divine …
1,109 wordsSECTION 176Section 176
It is inconceivable what delight and satisfaction men will take in any thing that seems to contribute so much unto a righteousness of their own. For it is suitable unto, and pleaseth all the principles of nature as corrupt, after it is brought under the power of a conviction concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment.…
1,019 wordsSECTION 177Section 177
414 THE GRACE AND DUTY OF are the differences that are between the actings of the affec- tions, of the one sort and of the other ; whether spiritually renewed, or occasionally changed? And wherein the great exercise of them consists in the duties of religious worship, I have declared what are the grounds and reasons w…
997 wordsSECTION 178Section 178
These things are manifest and unquestionable. But our present inquiry is only, what it is which believers do so de- light in, in the ordinances and institutions of divine gospel worship, and what it is that engageth their hearts and minds into a diligent observance of them ; as also how and where- in they do exercise t…
916 wordsSECTION 179Section 179
And those who have no experience hereof in their attend- ance unto them, do, as hath been said, fall into pernicious extremes. Some continue their observance with little regard unto God, in cursed formality. So they make them a means of their ruin by countenancing of them in their security. Others utterly reject them,…
1,067 wordsSECTION 180Section 180
2. This design is not general, inactive, useless, and slothful. But such persons diligently endeavour, in the use of these ordinances, and attendance unto them, to be found in the exercise of these graces. They have not only an ante- cedent design to be so, but a diligent actual endeavour after it, not suffering their …
907 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1850–1870); OCR text from Internet Archive. OCR may contain scanning/transcription errors. Verify quotations against page images when precision matters.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.