The Mortification Of Sin

by John Owen

That God doth sometimes leave even those of his own under the perplexing power at least of some lust or sin, to correct them for former sins, negligence, and folly.

These are the evils that believers may fall into and be ensnared withal, not the things that constitute a believer.

Of the guilt of it. It is one of the deceits of a prevailing lust to extenuate its own guilt.

Innumerable ways there are whereby sin diverts the mind from a right and due apprehension of its guilt.

there is inconceivably more evil and guilt in the evil of thy heart that doth remain, than there would be in so much sin if thou hadst no grace at all.

Among those who walk with God, there is no greater motive and incentive unto universal holiness, and the preserving of their hearts and spirits in all purity and cleanness, than this, that the blessed Spirit, who hath undertaken to dwell in them, is continually considering what they give entertainment in their hearts unto, and rejoiceth when his temple is kept undefiled.

Consider the holiness, spirituality, fiery severity, inwardness, absoluteness of the law, and see how thou canst stand before it.

constant longing, breathing after deliverance from the power of it.

A proneness to some sins may doubtless lie in the natural temper and disposition of men.

David reckons his being shapen in iniquity and conception in sin as an aggravation of his following sin, not a lessening or extenuation of it.

The bringing of the body into subjection in the case insisted on, by cutting short the natural appetite, by fasting, watching, and the like, is doubtless acceptable to God, so it be done with the ensuing limitations: (1.)

Consider what ways, what companies, what opportunities, what studies, what businesses, what conditions, have at any time given, or do usually give, advantages to thy distempers, and set thyself heedfully against them all.

Men will do this with respect unto their bodily infirmities and distempers. The seasons, the diet, the air that have proved offensive shall be avoided. Are the things of the soul of less importance?

The truth is, we all of know enough of him to love him more than we do, to delight in him and serve him, believe him, obey him, put our trust in him, above all that we have hitherto attained.

The intendment of all gospel revelation is, not to unveil God's essential glory, that we should see him as he is, but merely to declare so much of him as he knows sufficient to be a bottom of our faith, love, obedience, and coming to him,

But secret reserve for the folly or follies treated about,

When men measure out peace to themselves upon the conclusions that their convictions and rational principles will carry them out unto, this is a false peace, and will not abide.

God will justify us from our sins, but he will not justify the least sin in us: "He is a God of purer eyes than to behold iniquity."

If you exercise yourselves to acquaintance and communion with him, you will easily discern between his voice and the voice of a stranger.

Without the observation of it, sin will have great advantages towards the hardening of the heart.

Set faith at work on Christ for the killing of thy sin.

Mortification of any sin must be by a supply of grace. Of ourselves we cannot do it. Now, "it hath pleased the Father that in Christ should all fullness dwell," Col. 1:19; that "of his fullness we might receive grace for grace," John 1:16.

It is a metonymy of the effect; for, he can now be moved to help, having been so tempted.

He died to destroy the works of the devil. Whatever came upon our natures by his first temptation, whatever receives strength in our persons by his daily suggestions, Christ died to destroy it all.

The Spirit alone reveals unto us the fullness of Christ for our relief; which is the consideration that stays the heart from false ways and from despairing despondency, 1 Cor.