PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 7
John Owen · 292,509 words · 290 reading sections
Section 121
(2.) This is quickly followed with a loss of all prevailing evidence and conviction of the truth of the very doctrine of the gospel. This conviction all are supposed to have who profess it, and all really have x ORY! THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY. it who profess it in any sincerity. Why else do they make profes-…
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(5.) Hereunto is added a perfect hatred and contempt of such 234: THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY. as abide constant in their adherence unto and profession of the gospel. Constant observation hath approved the saying, “ Apostata est osor sui ordinis;” great apostates have been always great perse- cutors, in word or…
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First, Some may suppose themselves so far interested in the back- sliding and apostasy described, as that the threatening denounced in the text doth belong unto them also, and that they are now judicially shut up under impenitency; for they say that they had attained unto a greater measure or degree of holiness, unto m…
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Secondly, It may be alleged that, as to the issue of things, it will be all one whether we fall from gospel holiness or can never attain unto it;—“ And this,” say some, “is our condition; for whatever we have thought of ourselves, or whatever others have thought of us upon our profession, yet we now find by experience …
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Secondly, The effect aimed at will never be accomplished without violence offered unto ourselves as unto all occasions of sin,—namely, “as to the particular corruption supposed prevalent. In this case, when known occasions of the excitation or acting of the evil com- 240 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY. plained of…
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Our first direction of this kind is, that we should all labour for a true, real sense of the concernment of the glory of God in this matter, and what is our duty with respect thereunto. Where this is not, men are under the power of that security which is the broad way and wide gate leading unto apostasy; yea, where thi…
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If we are sensible of the concernment of the glory of God in these things, it may not be amiss to consider what is our duty with respect thereunto. 1. And the first thing required of us is, that we mourn in secret for that sad issue which the profession of Christianity is come unto in the world. God puts an especial m…
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246 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY. things to keep our hearts. And we are not only laid under this command, but a cogent reason is added to enforce our obedience: “ For out of it are the issues of life.” Hereon do all events depend. The heart being kept, the whole course of our life here will be ac- cording unto …
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2. We must keep our heart awake and attentive unto rts help and relief; and this lies only in Christ Jesus, the captain of our ~ YA THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY. salvation. After all Peter’s confidence, it was the interposition of Christ alone that preserved him from utter ruin: “I have prayed for thee that thy…
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. 250 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY. It is indeed an especial mercy for any to be intrusted with the privileges of the church and institutions of the gospel; yea, it is the greatest outward dignity and pre-eminence that any can be ad- vanced unto in this world, however by the most it be lightly set by. Theodosius…
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weak believers) were greatly affected, and it may be lifted up, with the success they had had in casting out of devils in his name, he recalls them from any confidence therein, as unto their eternal concernment, unto a trust in God’s free electing grace, with the fruits thereof, Luke x. 20; and the reason hereof is, b…
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(2.) The indulgence of any private lust, unto the satisfaction of the flesh. This great defect in the power of godliness is frequently countenanced by strictness in the form thereof. And a great effect it is of the deceitfulness of sin when it can delude the minds of men to justify themselves in any one sin, with the n…
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3. When we find that a conscientious attendance on all the ordi- nances of instituted worship doth quicken our diligence and watch- fulness unto all other duties of obedience that are required of us, we are conversant in them ina due manner. When under a pre- tence of them, and a mistaken satisfaction in them, men coun…
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It may be it will be said, that unless we do conform ourselves in some things unto the customs that are prevalent among us, as in habit, and fashion, and way of converse, we shall be despised in the world, and neither we nor ours be of any regard. I answer,—1. That I am not contending about small things, nor prescribi…
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eye DIRECTIONS TO AVOID APOSTASY. 259 be justly charged on you. Love unto the saints without dissimula- _ tion; readiness to bear in meekness with different apprehensions and palpable misapprehensions, not intrenching on the foundation; free- dom from imposing your sentiments on those who cannot receive them, and f…
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n inquiry follows into the olyects of spiritual thoughts; which are,—1. The dispensa- tions BE Pavone: 2. Special trials and temptations; and 3. Heavenly and eternal realities. In regard to the latter,—(1.) The motives inducing us to fix our thoughts on them are mentioned ; faith is thereby increased, hope is exercised…
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264 ; ' PREFACE, flleth them. If it attain hereunto,—if it can fill the minds, the thoughts, and affections of men, with itself,—it will in some fortify the soul against faith and obedience, and in others weaken all grace, and endanger eternal ruin. For “if we love the world, the love of the Father is not in us;” and …
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ieee 7 i Sta, tt why |. ny ie reve tate do lt, ee ee io ? F a wRet Was Saye g 4) bi WR toh rei a es , mharaey i! enn b fle tee ree g se or Sw oietoneel Phlheo areas f ] 4 ? alt ‘ka opi eg nt é a 0) ven 1) tie atte Aap : j r , . i t (4 Festa) rs ie " : W a ve dt eral | Nate as iy eel Ot OF both roc ( on ote (t…
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The reason why the apostle denounces so woful a doom, so dread- ful a sentence, on the carnal mind, he declares in the two next verses: “ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not sub- ject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” If it be thus …
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(2.) The inclination, disposition, and frame of the mind, in all its affections, whereby it adheres and cleaves unto spiritual things. This “minding of the Spirit” resides habitually in the affections. _Where- fore, the ppévqua of the Spirit, or the mind as renewed and acted by a spiritual principle of light and life, …
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These things being premised, I shall more practically open the nature of this duty, and what is required unto this frame of spirit. To be “spiritually minded” may be considered either as unto the na- ture and essence of it, or as unto its degrees; for one may be so more than another, or the same person may be more so a…
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To obviate such pretences, I shall insist on nothing, in the decla- ration of this duty and the necessity of it, but what is incumbent on all that believe, and without which they have no grounds to assure their conscience before God. And at present in general I shall say, Whoever he be who doth not sincerely aim at the…
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Wherefore, these thoughts give the best measure of the frame of our minds and hearts, I mean such as are voluntary, such as the mind of its own accord is apt for, inclines and ordinarily betakes itself unto. Men may have a multitude of thoughts about the affairs of their callings and the occasions of life, which yet ma…
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278 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART I. avoid them. But the same sort of persons have thoughts of this nature arising from themselves only, their own dispositions and in- clinations, without any outward provocations. “The vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity,” Isa. xxxii.6; and this he doth a…
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Where it is not thus with our thoughts, they give no such evi- dence as that inquired after. Men may have thoughts of spiritual things, and that many of them, and that frequently, which do not 280 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. _ [PART LT arise from this principle, but may be resolved into two other causes ; —l. Inward for…
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282 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART 1. CHAPTER IIL. Outward means and occasions of such thoughts of spiritual things as do not prove men to be spiritually minded—Preaching of the word—Exercise of gifts— Prayer—How we may know whether our thoughts of spiritual things in prayer are truly spiritual thoughts, proving us t…
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284 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART L is that which we would be more conformable unto, it gives a secret complacency, with satisfaction, unto the soul. The other thoughts, which are only occasional, have none of these concomitants or effects, but are dry and barren, unless it be in a few words or transient dis- course.…
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can more clearly discover the truth and distinct nature of things moral and natural, than we can of things that are heavenly and spiritual. See John iii, 12. Not that there is more substance or reality in them, but because the ability of our understanding is more 286 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART IL. suited unto th…
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A duty this is of great importance and necessity, now hypocrisy hath made so great an inroad on profession, and gifts have defloured grace in its principal operations. No persons are in greater danger of walk- ing at hazard with God than those who live in the exercise of spiritual gifts in duties unto their own satisfa…
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And, which is yet more astonishable, men abide in the duty of prayer, and that with constancy, in their families and otherwise, and yet live in known sins. Whatever spiritual thoughts such men have in and by their prayers, they are not spiritually minded. Shall we now say that all such persons are gross hypocrites, suc…
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Some, it may be, will design an advantage by these conceptions, unto the interest of profaneness and scoffing; for if there may be these evils under the exercise of the gift of prayer, both in constancy and with fervency,—if there may be a total want of the exercise of all true grace with it and under it,—then, it may …
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delight in it; and to keep them from it is all one as to keep them from their daily food and refreshment. Now, we can have no delight in any thing but what we have found some sweetness, rest, and com- placency in. Without any such experience we may do or use any thing, but cannot do it with delight. And it ariseth,—[1.…
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Some, it may be, will say that if it be so, they for their parts are cut off. They have no experience of any such spiritual rest and complacency in God in or after their prayers. At the best, they begin them with tears and end them with sorrow; and sometimes they know not what is become of them, but fear that God is no…
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(5.) It is so when other duties of religion are equally regarded and attended unto with prayer itself. He whose religion lies all in prayer and hearing, hath none at all. God hath an equal respect unto all other duties, and so must we have also. So is it expressed as unto the instance of alms, Acts x.» 31; and James pl…
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CHAPTER IV. Other evidences of thoughts about spiritual things arising from an internal prin- ciple of grace, whereby they are an evidence of our being spiritually minded —The abounding of these thoughts, how far, and wherein, such an evidence. The SECOND evidence that our thoughts of spiritual things do pro- ceed fr…
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To this purpose is the advice of the apostle, Eph. v. 18, 19, “ Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” When men are drunk with wine unto an excess, they make it quickly evident what vain, foolish, ridiculous imaginations…
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That we may the better examine ourselves by this rule, we must consider of what sorts men’s other thoughts are; and as unto our present purpose, they may be reduced unto these heads:— (1.) There are such as are exercised about their callings and law- ful occasions. These are numberless and endless, especially among a …
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Moreover, it is known how often, when we are engaged in spiritual duties, other thoughts will interpose, and impose themselves on our minds. Those which are about men’s secular concernments will do so. The world will frequently make an inroad on the way to hea- ven, to disturb the passengers and wayfaring men. There is…
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If we are spiritually minded, if thoughts of spiritual things do abound in us, they will ordinarily, and that with constancy, possess these seasons, look upon them as those which are their due, which belong unto them; for they are expressly assigned unto them in the way of rule, expressed in examples and commands. See …
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This is the first thing that belongs unto our being spiritually minded: for although it doth not absolutely or essentially consist therein, yet it is inseparable from it, and the most undeceiving indi- cation of it; and thus of abounding and abiding in thoughts about spiritual things, such as arise and spring naturally…
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‘that feared God, upon an inquiry for whose sake it came, the lot fell on him, Jonah i. 7. The cause of the present storm may as well be the secret sins of professors as the open provocations of un- godly men. God will punish severely those which he hath known, Amos iii. 2. It is therefore certainly our duty to search …
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Here lies the ground of their self-deceivings: They are professors of the gospel in a peculiar manner, they judge themselves believers, they hope they shall be saved, and have many evidences for it. But one negative evidence will render a hundred that are positive use-_ less. “ All these things have I done,” saith the …
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314 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART I. _ Wherefore, whilst persons are exercised with any temptation, I do not advise them to be conversant in their thoughts about the matter of it; for sometimes remembrances of former satisfaction of their lusts, sometimes present surprisals, with the suitableness of it unto corruptio…
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316 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. _ [PART I. and the ways whereby it is excited through temptation, with the occasions it makes use of and the advantages it takes. For instance, one may have an eminency in gifts, and usefulness or success in his labours, which give him great acceptance with others. Such an one shall hardly…
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318 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART I. mity unto him, Col. iii, 1, 2, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on” (or your thoughts), mind much, “things above.” It becomes those who, through the virtue of the resurrection of …
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(1.) [1.] Faith will be increased and strengthened by it. Invi- sible things are the proper objects of faith. It is “the evidence of things not seen,” Heb. xi. 1. Wherefore, in our thoughts of them faith is in its proper exercise; which is the principal means of its growth and increase. And hereon two things will ensue…
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[2.] It will give life and exercise unto the grace of hope. Hope is a glorious grace, whereunto blessed effects are ascribed in the Scripture, and an effectual operation unto the supportment and con- solation of believers. By it are we purified, sanctified, saved. And, to sum up the whole of its excellency and efficacy…
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So the apostle declares this state of things, 2 Cor. iv. 16-18 (the words before insisted on), “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;…
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326 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART L thoughts and imaginations of attaining it, grounded on uncertain hopes, shall not we, who have a crown immortal and invisible pro- posed unto us, and that with the highest assurance of the enjoyment of it, cheerfully undergo, endure, and suffer, what we are to go through in the way…
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Herein lies the great danger of multitudes at this present season; for, let men profess what they will, under the power of this frame their eternal state is in hazard every moment. And persons are en- gaged in it in great variety of degrees; and we may cast them under two heads:— , lst. Some do not at all understand t…
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It is sad to see some professors, who will keep up spiritual duties in churches and in their families, who will speak and discourse of spiritual things, and keep themselves from the open excesses of the world, yet, when they come to be tried by such duties as intrench on their love and adherence unto earthly things, qu…
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These are some few of those many advantages which we may ob- tain by fixing our thoughts and meditations, and thereby our affec- tions, on the things that are above. And there are some things which make me willing to give some few directions for the practice of this duty; for whatever else we are and do, we neither are…
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Wherefore, in the first place, it belongs unto the true notion of heaven, that it is a state wherein we shall be eternally freed from sin and all the concernments of it; but only [through] the exaltation of the glory of God’s grace in Christ by the pardon of it. He that truly hates sin and abhors it, whose principal de…
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(2dly.) So great a part of mankind as the Mohammedans, unto whom God hath given all the principal and most desirable parts of 336 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART I. the world to inhabit and possess, do conceive the state of future bless- edness to consist in the full satisfaction of their sensual lusts and pleasures. …
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immediate object of our faith; nor shall they be so unto sight in : heaven. The manifestation of them in Christ is the immediate ob- _ ject of our faith here, and shall be of our sight hereafter. Only ~ through this manifestation of them we are led even by faith ulti- mately to acquiesce in them, as we shall in hea…
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340 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART I. verse 24; but on another application of virtue unto him, “ he saw every man clearly,” verse 25. It was not.a sight of another kind which he then received than what he had at first; only its imperfec- tion, whereby he “saw men as trees, walking,” was taken away. Nor will our perfec…
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above,” Col. iii. 1. 2dly. Here lies the great means whereby we may attain farther degrees in that blessed frame of mind, if it be already formed in us, by virtue of that rule, “ Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image from glory to glory,” 2 Cor. iii. 18. 8dly. Here lies the g…
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Some, it may be, will say that they complained before that they cannot get their minds fixed on these things) Weakness, weariness, darkness, diversions, occasions, do prevalently obstruct their abiding in such thoughts. I shall speak farther unto this afterward. At present I shall only suggest two things: —First, If yo…
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546 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART I. alike nature and tendency, did superstition abuse and corrupt the minds of men, from a pretence of a principle of truth; for there is no more certain gospel truth than this, that believers ought continu- ally to contemplate on Christ by the actings of faith in their thoughts and a…
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348 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. [PART 1. Sometimes, indeed, the soul is surprised into acts of gracious com- munion with Christ, Cant. vi. 12; but they are not to be expected unless we abide in those ways and means which prepare and make our souls meet for the reception and entertainment of him. Where- fore, (3.) Our wan…
1,074 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.