THE

WORKS

OF

JOHN OWEN, D.D.

EDITED BY

THE REV. WILLIAM H. GOOLD, D.D.,

EDINBURGH.

VOL. VI.

EDINBURGH:

T. & T. CLARK, 38, GEORGE STREET.

LONDON: HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO. DUBLIN: JOHN ROBERTSON

MDCCCLXII.

The foundation of the whole ensuing discourse laid in Rom. viii. 13-The words of

the apostle opened-The certain connection between true mortification and sal-

vation-Mortification the work of believers-The Spirit the principal efficient

cause of it-What meant by "the body" in the words of the apostle-What by

"the deeds of the body"-Life, in what sense promised to this duty
. 5

CHAPTER II.

The principal assertion concerning the necessity of mortification proposed to con-

firmation-Mortification the duty of the best believers, Col. iii. 5; 1 Cor. ix. 27

-Indwelling sin always abides; no perfection in this life, Phil. iii. 12; 1 Cor.

xiii. 12; 2 Pet. iii. 18; Gal. v. 17, etc.-The activity of abiding sin in believers,

Rom. vii. 23; James iv. 5; Heb. xii. 1-Its fruitfulness and tendency-Every

lust aims at the height in its kind-The Spirit and new nature given to contend

against indwelling sin, Gal. v. 17; 2 Pet. i. 4, 5; Rom. vii. 23—The fearful issue

of the neglect of mortification, Rev. iii. 2; Heb. iii. 13-The first general prin-

ciple of the whole discourse hence confirmed-Want of this duty lamented . 9

CHAPTER III.

The second general principle of the means of mortification proposed to confirmation

-The Spirit the only author of this work-Vanity of popish mortification dis-

covered-Many means of it used by them not appointed of God-Those appointed

by him abused-The mistakes of others in this business-The Spirit is promised

believers for this work, Ezek. xi. 19, xxxvi. 26-All that we receive from Christ

is by the Spirit-How the Spirit mortifies sin-Gal. v. 19-23-The several ways

of his operation to this end proposed-How his work and our duty

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CHAPTER IV.

Page

The last principle; of the usefulness of mortification-The vigour and comfort of

our spiritual lives depend on our mortification-In what sense-Not absolutely

and necessarily; Ps. lxxxviii., Heman's condition-Not as on the next and im-

mediate cause-As a means; by removing of the contrary-The desperate effects

of any unmortified lust; it weakens the soul, Ps. xxxviii. 3, 8, sundry ways, and

darkens it-All graces improved by the mortification of sin-The best evidence

of sincerity

CHAPTER V.

The principal intendment of the whole discourse proposed-The first main case of

conscience stated-What it is to mortify any sin, negatively considered-Not

the utter destruction of it in this life-Not the dissimulation of it-Not the im-

provement of any natural principle-Not the diversion of it-Not an occasional

conquest-Occasional conquests of sin, what and when; upon the eruption of

sin; in time of danger or trouble

CHAPTER VI.

The mortification of sin in particular described-The several parts and degrees

thereof -The habitual weakening of its root and principle-The power of lust to

tempt-Differences of that power as to persons and times-Constant fighting

against sin-The parts thereof considered-Success against it-The sum of this

discourse considered

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24

28

CHAPTER VII.

General rules, without which no lust will be mortified-No mortification unless a

man be a believer-Dangers of attempting mortification of sin by unregenerate

persons-The duty of unconverted persons as to this business of mortification

considered-The vanity of the Papists' attempts and rules for mortification

thence discovered

CHAPTER VIII.

The second general rule proposed-Without universal sincerity for the mortifying

of every lust, no lust will be mortified-Partial mortification always from a cor-

rupt principle-Perplexity of temptation from a lust oftentimes a chastening

for other negligences.

CHAPTER IX.

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40

Particular directions in relation to the foregoing case proposed-FIRST, Consider the

dangerous symptoms of any lust-1. Inveterateness-2. Peace obtained under

it; the several ways whereby that is done-3. Frequency of success in its seduc-

tions 4. The soul's fighting against it with arguments only taken from the

event-5. Its being attended with judiciary hardness-6. Its withstanding

particular dealings from God-The state of persons in whom these things are

found

43

·

CHAPTER X.

The SECOND particular direction: Get a clear sense of,-1. The guilt of the sin per-

plexing-Considerations for help therein proposed-2. The danger manifold-

(1.) Hardening (2.) Temporal correction—(3.) Loss of peace and strength-(4.)

Eternal destruction-Rules for the management of this consideration-3. The

evil of it-(1.) In grieving the Spirit-(2.) Wounding the new creature-[(3.)

Taking away a man's usefulness.]

50

CHAPTER XI.

The THIRD direction proposed: Load thy conscience with the guilt of the perplexing

distemper-The ways and means whereby that may be done-The FOURTH

direction: Vehement desire for deliverance-The FIFTH: Some distempers rooted

deeply in men's natural tempers-Considerations of such distempers; ways of

dealing with them-The SIXTH direction: Occasions and advantages of sin to be

prevented-The SEVENTH direction: The first actings of sin vigorously to be

opposed

Page

56

CHAPTER XII.

The EIGHTH direction: Thoughtfulness of the excellency of the majesty of God-Our

unacquaintedness with him proposed and considered

CHAPTER XIII.

The NINTH direction: When the heart is disquieted by sin, speak no peace to it until

God speak it-Peace, without detestation of sin, unsound; so is peace measured

out unto ourselves-How we may know when we measure our peace unto our-

selves-Directions as to that inquiry-The vanity of speaking peace slightly;

also of doing it on one singular account, not universally

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70

CHAPTER XIV.

The general use of the foregoing directions-The great direction for the accomplish-

ment of the work aimed at: Act faith on Christ-The several ways whereby this

may be done-Consideration of the fulness in Christ for relief proposed-Great

expectations from Christ-Grounds of these expectations: his mercifulness, his

faithfulness-Event of such expectations; on the part of Christ; on the part of

believers-Faith peculiarly to be acted on the death of Christ, Rom. vi. 3-6—

The work of the Spirit in this whole business

78

OF TEMPTATION: THE NATURE AND POWER OF IT, ETC.

The words of the text, that are the foundation of the ensuing discourse-The occa-

sion of the words, with their dependence-The things specially aimed at in

them-Things considerable in the words as to the general purpose in hand-Of

the general nature of temptation, wherein it consists-The special nature of

temptation-Temptation taken actively and passively-How God tempts any-

His ends in so doing-The way whereby he doth it-Of temptation in its special

nature of the actions of it-The true nature of temptation stated

91