PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 6
John Owen · 348,200 words · 344 reading sections
Section 61
{^dli/.) Supi)ose the peace cared for, and proposed to safeguard the soul, be true and good, yet when all is laid up in tins one bottom, when the hour of temptation comes, so many reliefs will be tendered against this consideration as will make it useless. " This evil is small ; it is questionable; it falls not openly …
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2dl]/. By woful entangling of the affections; which, when they are engaged, what influence they have in blinding the mind and darken- ing the understanding is known. If any know it not, let him but open his eyes in these days, and he will quickly learn it. By what ways and means it is that engaged affections will beclo…
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112 OF TEMPTATION. form of godliness, when tliey had served their turn of that, began the way to them ; then others began a little to comply, and to please the flesh in so doing. This, by little and little, hath reached even the top boughs and branches of our profession, until almost all flesh hath corrupted its way. …
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^dly. In what part soever of the soul the lust be seated where- with the temptation is united, it draws after it the luhole soul by one means or other, and so prevents or anticipates any opposition. Sup- pose it be a lust of the mind, — as there are lusts of the mind and uncleanness of the spirit, such as ambition, vai…
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Ohj. 2. " But was not our Saviour Christ himself tempted ; and is it evil to be brought into the same state and condition with him? Yea, it is not only said that he was tempted, but his being so is expressed as a thing advantageous, and conducing to his mercifulness as our priest? Heb. ii. 17, 18, ' In that he himself …
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CHAPTER IV Particular cases proposed to consideration — The first, its resolution in sundry par- ticulars— Several discoveries of the state of a soul entering into temptation. These things being premised in general, I proceed to the consi- deration of three imrticular cases arising from the truth proposed: the first …
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(3.) Entering into temptation may be seen in the lesser degrees of it ; as, for instance, when the heart begins secretly to like the matter of the temptation, and is content to feed it and increase it by any Avays that it may without downright sin. In particular, a man begins to be in repute for piety, wisdom, learnin…
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FORMALISM EVIDENCE OF TEMPTATION. 121 temptation. So is it with ambition in high places ; passion in a mul- titude of perplexing affairs; polluted corrupt fancy in vain societies, and the perusal of idle books or treatises of vanity and folly. Fire and things combustible may more easily be induced to lie together with…
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CHAPTER V. The socond case proposed, or inquiries resolved — What are the best directions to prevent entering into temptation — Those directions laid down — The direc- tions given by our Saviour : " Watch and pray " — What is included therein — (1.) Sense of the danger of temptation — (2.) That it is not in our power …
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(2.) There is this in it also, that it is not a thing in our own j^oiver, to keep and preserve ourselves from entering into temptation. There- fore are we to pray that we may be preserved from it, because we cannot save ourselves. This is another means of preservation. As we have no strength to resist a temptation whe…
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4. Weigh these things severally, and, first, take prayer into con- sideration. To pray that we enter not into temptation is a means to preserve us from it. Glorious things are, by all men that know- aught of those things, spoken of this duty; and yet the truth is, not one half of its excellency, power, and efficacy is …
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As, then, unto a jyrosperous condition. I shall not mn cross to Solomon's counsel, " In the day of prosperity rejoice," Eccles. vii. 1-1. Rejoice in the God of thy mercies, who doth thee good in his patience and forbearance, notwithstanding all thy nnworthiness. Yet I may add to it, from the same fountain of wisdom, " …
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VOL. VI. 9 130 OF TEMPTATION. neglect many ways of approach to our souls, wherein he seeks and finds advantages against us. Is this, then, our state and condition? Does God at any time give us to drink of the rivers of pleasure that are at his right hand, and satisfy our souls with his kindness as with marrow and fat…
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There are advantages for temptations lying oftentimes in men's natural tempers and constitutions. Some are naturally gentle, facile, easy to be entreated, pliable; Avhich, though it be the noblest temper of nature, and the best and choicest ground, Avhen Avell 132 OF TEMPTATION. broken up and fallowed for grace to gr…
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134 OF TEMPTATION. of God as temj)tation could not stand before, Gen. xxxix. 9. " The love of Christ constraineth us," saith the apostle, " to live to him," 2 Cor. V. 14; and so, consequently, to withstand temptation. A man may, nay, he ought to lay in provisions of the law also, — fear of deatli, hell, punishment, wi…
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Hath Satan any more friendly aim and intention towards thee, who is a sharer in every temptation? To beguile thee as a serpent' to devour thee as a lion, is the friendship that he owes thee. I shall only add, that the sin he tempts thee to against the law, it is not the thing he aims at; his design hes against thy inte…
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(pthly) He can give thee such a comfortable persuasion of good suc- cess in the issue as that thou shalt have refreshment in thy trials, and be kept from the trouble of the temptation ; as Avas the case with the same Paul : or, (6thly.) He can utterly remove it, and make thee a complete con- queror. And innumerable ot…
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[3.] To the perishing world. Hence the time of his kingdom in this world is called the time of his " patience," Rev. i. 9. He " endures the vessels of wrath with much long-suffering," Rom. ix. 22. Whilst the gospel is administered in the world he is patient toAvards the men thereof, until the saints in heaven and earth…
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[3.] Obedience. Personal obedience, in the iniiversal observation of all the commands of Christ, is the keeping of his word, John WATCHING AGAINST TEMPTATION. 141 xiv. 15. Close adherence unto Christ inhohness and universal obe- dience, then when the opposition that the gospel of Christ doth meet withal in the world …
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WATCHING AGAINST TEMPTATION. 143 [1.] By the mortification of the heart unto the matter of tempta- tions. The prevalency of any temptation arises from hence, that the heart is ready to close with the matter of it. There are lusts within, suited to the proposals of the world or Satan without. Hence James resolves all t…
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(3.) He that so keeps the word of Christ's patience is always fur- nished with preserving considerations and preserving principles, — moral and real advantages of preservation. [1.] He is furnished with preserving considerations, that power- fully influence his soul in his walking diligently with Christ. Besides the s…
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(2,dly.) Faith, making the soul poor, empty, helpless, destitute in itself, engages the heart, will, and power of Jesus Christ for assist- ance; of which I have spoken more at large elsewhere. - — 2dlif. Love to the saints, with care that they suffer not upon our account, is a great preserving principle in a time of te…
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2. Apply yourselves to this great preservation of faithful keeping the word of Christ's patience, in the midst of all trials and tempta- tions : — (1.) In particular, wisely consider wherein the word of Christ's patience is most likely to suffer in the days wherein we live and the seasons that pass over us, and so vig…
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Have we not experience of our weakness, our folly, the invincible power of temptation, Avhen once it is gotten within us? As for this duty that I have insisted on, take these considerations: — 1. If you neglect it, it being the only means prescribed by our Saviour, you Avill certainly enter into temptation, and as cer…
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'i'he basis of the treatise is taken from Rom. vii. 21 . After a brief explanation of the passage, he considers indwelling sin under the light and character of "a law;" — the seat and subject of this law, the heart; — its nature generally, as enmity against (Jod; — its actings and operations; first, in withdrawing the …
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THE NATURE. POWER, DECEIT, AND PREVALENCY REMAINDERS OE INDWELLING SIN IN BELIEVERS. CHAPTER I. Indwelling sin in believers treated of by the apostle, Rom. vii. 21 — The place explained. It is of indiuelling sin, and that in the remainders of it in persons after their conversion to God, with its power, efficacy, a…
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ROMANS VII. 21 EXPLAINED. 1 59 sin; so, in the latter, " Leading into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members," it signifies its power and efficacy. And both these are comprised in the same name, singly used, chap. vii. 21. Now, that which we observe from this name or term of a " law" attributed unto sin is…
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ROMANS VIT. 21 EXPLAINED. 161 disposition thereof will the general course of our actings be suited. Good things will proceed from the good treasures of the heart. Nor can this disposition be evidenced to be in any but by its fruits. A will of doing good, without doing good, is but pretended. Foui'thly, There is yet a…
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That which I shall principally fix upon, in reference unto our pre- sent design, from this place of the apostle, is that which was first laid down, — namely, that there is an exceeding efficacy and power in the remainder of indwelling sin in believers, with a constant inclina- tion and working towards evil. Awake, the…
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By this sorry reward doth this law keep the Avorld in obedience to its commands; and experience shows us of what power it is to influence the minds of men. It hath also ])unishments that it tlireatons men with who labour to cast off its yoke. Whatever evil, trouble, or danger in the world, attends gospel obedience, — w…
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1. It always abides in the soul, — it is never absent. The apostle twice usetli that expression, " It dwelleth in me." There is its con- stant residence and habitation. If it came upon the soul only at certain seasons, much obedience might be perfectly accomplished in its absence; yea, and as they deal with usurping ty…
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From what hath been spoken it will ensue, that, if there be such a law in believers, it is doubtless thek duty to find it out, to fi.nd it so to be. The more they find its power, the less they will feel its effects. It will not at all advantage a man to have an hectical distemper and not to discover it, — a fire lying…
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The heart in the Scripture is variously used ; sometimes for the mind and understanding, sometimes for the tvill, sometimes for the affections, sometimes for the conscience, sometimes for the whole sold. Generally, it denotes the whole soid of man and all the facul- ties of it, not absolutely, but as they are all one p…
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2. As it is unsearchable, so it is deceitful, as in the place above mentioned : " It is deceitful above all things," — incomparably so. There is great deceit in the dealings of men in the world ; great deceit in their counsels and contrivances in reference to their affairs, private and public; great deceit in their wor…
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Who can mention the treacheries and deceits that lie in the heart of man? It is not for nothing that the Holy Ghost so expresseth it, " It is deceitful above all things," — uncertain in Avhat it doth, and false in what it promiseth. And hence moreover it is, amongst other causes, that, in the pursuit of our war against…
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There are yet other arguments for the evidencing of the power and strength of indwelling sin, hom whence it is termed a " law," which we must pass through, according to the order wherein before we laid them down. CHAPTER IV. Indwelling sin enmity against God — Thence its power — Admits of no peace noi* rest — Is agai…
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VOL, VL 12 1 78 THE NATURE AND POWER OF INDWELLING SIN. conquered ; which was the only kind of enemy that the famous warrior complained of of old. It is in vain for a man to have any expecta- tion of rest from his lust but by its death ; of absolute freedom but by his own. Some, in the tumultuating of their coiTuptio…
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It is thus also in respect of all propensity unto sin, as well as aver- sation from God. It is God himself that is aimed at. It is true, the pleasures, the wages of sin, do greatl}^ influence the sensual, carnal affections of men: but it is the holiness and authority of God that sin itself rises up against; it hates th…
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2. Hereunto might be added its constancy. It is constant unto itself, it Avavers not, it hath no thoughts of 5delding or giving over, notwithstanding the powerful opposition that is made unto it both by the law and gospel ; as afterward shall be showed. This, then, is a third evidence of the power of sin, taken from i…
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Let us, then, a little consider this aversation in such acts of obedi- ence as wherein there is no concernment but that of God and the soul. In public duties there may be a mixture of other considera- tions; they may be so influenced by custom and necessity, that a right judgment cannot from them be made of this matter…
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But this instance being of great importance unto professors in their walking with God, we must not pass it over without some intima- tions of directions for them in their contending against it and oppo- sition to it. Only this must be premised, that I am not giving direc- tions for the mortifying of indwelling sin in g…
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4. Carry about a constant, humbling sense of this close aversation unto spiritualness that yet lies in our nature. If men find the effi- cacy of it, what should, what consideration can, be more powerful, to bring them unto humble walking with God? That after all the dis- coveries that God hath made of himself unto them…
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I shall begin with the first, or its actings, as it were, in a way of force, in an open downright opposition to God and his law, or the good that a believing soul would do in obedience unto God aiid his law. And in this whole matter we must be careful to steer our course aright, taking the Scripture for our guide, with…
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It is with indwelling sin as with a river. Whilst the springs and fountains of it are open, and waters are continually supplied unto its streams, set a dam before it, and it causeth it to rise and swell until it bear down all or overflow the banks about it. Let these waters be abated, dried up in some good measure in t…
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OPPOSITION OF SIN UNTO GOD. 193 ruption which is in the will, and is the principle of them. And it is in respect unto these that the apostle makes his complaint, Rom. vii. 24. (2.) This hahitual inclination manifests itself in its readiness and promptness, without dispute or altercation, to join and close with every …
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OPPOSITION OF SIN UNTO GOD. 195 this enmity makes to God, — namely, in its general inclination^ it " lusteth." Secondly, There is its particular way of contending, — it fights or wars; that is, it acts with strength and violence, as men do in war. First, it lusts, stirring and moving inordinate figments in the mind, …
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(1.) In the opposition it makes to the general purpose and course of the soul. There is none in whom is the Spirit of Christ, that is his, but it is his general design and purpose to walk in a imiversal confonnity unto him in all things. Even from the inward frame of the heart to the whole compass of his outward action…
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(1.) All its 2)os{tive actings in stin'ing up unto sin belong to this head. Oftentimes, by the vanity of the mind, or the sensuality of the affections, the folly of the imaginations, it sets upon the soul then when the law of gi'ace is not actually putting it on duty ; so that therein it doth not rebel but assault. Hen…
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This is the sum of what we shall offer unto this acting of the law of sin, in a way of fighting and warring against our souls, which is so often mentioned in the Scripture; and a due consideration of it is of no small advantage unto us, especiall}' to bring us unto self- abasement, to teach us to walk humbly and mournf…
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The third thing assigned unto this law of sin in its opposition unto Ood and the law of his grace is, that it leads the soul captive : Rom. vii. 23, " I find a law leading me captive" (captivating me) "unto the law of sin." And this is the utmost height which the apostle in that place carries the opposition and warring…
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And here, by the way, we may a little inquire, whether the me- 201 THE NATURE AND POWER OF INDWELLING SIN. vailing power of a particular sin in any be from itself, or from the influence of temptation upon it; concerning which at present take only these two observations: — (1.) Much of the p7'evale7icy of sin upon th…
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(3.) This leading captive manifests this condition to be miserable and wretched. To be thus yoked and dealt withal, against the judg- ment of the mind, the choice and consent of the will, its utmost strivings and contendings, how sad is it ! When the neck is sore and tender with former pressures, to be compelled to bea…
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2. That sin ariseth not unto this height ordinarily, but when it hath got a double advantage : — (1 .) That it be provoked, enraged, and heightened by some great temptation. Though it be a poison in itself, yet, being inbred in nature, it grows not violently outrageous Avithout the contribution of some new poison of S…
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(2.) Madness or rage is accompanied with fearlessness and con- tempt of danger. It takes away the power of consideration, and all that influence that it ought to have upon the soul. Hence sinners that are wholly under the power of this rage are said to " run upon God, and the thick bosses of his buckler," Job xv. 26;- …
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CHAPTER VIII. Indwelling sin proved powerful from its deceit — Proved to be deceitful — The general nature of deceit — James i. 14, opened — How the mind is drawn off from its duty by the deceitfulness of sin — The principal duties of the mind in our obedience — The ways and means whereby it is turned from it. The se…
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Hence are those manifold cautions that are given us to take heed that we be not deceived, if we would take heed that we do not sin. See Eph. v. 6 ; 1 Cor. vi. 9, xv. S3 ; Gal. vi. 7 ; Luke xxi. 8. From all which testimonies we may learn the influence that deceit hath into sin, and consequently the advantage that the la…
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DECEITFULNESS OF INDWELLING SIN. 215 this reproof, in the words mentioned he discovers the true causes of the rise and whole progress of sin, manifesting that the whole guilt of it lies upon the sinner, and that the whole punishment of it, if . not gTaciously prevented, will be his lot also. We have, therefore, as wa…
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Now, it is the mind that this effect of the deceit of sin is wrought upon. The mind or understanding, as we have showed, is the guid- ing, conducting faculty of the soul. It goes before in discerning, judging, and determining, to make the way of moral actions fair and smooth to the will and affections. It is to the sou…
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This, therefore, in the first place, in general, doth the law of sin put forth its deceit about, — namely, to draw the mind from this frame, Avhich is the strongest fort of the soul's defence and security. It labours to divert the mind from a due apprehension of the vile- ness, abomination, and danger of sin. It secret…
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1st. The soul, having frequent need of relief by gospel grace against a sense of the guilt of sin and accusation of the law, comes at length to make it a common and ordinary thing, and such as may be slightly performed. Having found a good medicine for its wounds, and such as it hath had experience of its efficacy, it …
963 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.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.