Today we continue reading the classics together by turning to the second chapter of John Owen’s Overcoming Sin and Temptation. If you’d like to know more about this project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together.
For a couple of years I met every Friday morning with a group of friends and we would read books together. We read some great books like Os Guinness’ The Call and Tozer’s The Knowledge of the Holy. These were enjoyable and beneficial times. One thing we often found frustrating, though, was that books are really not meant to be read at the pace of one chapter per week with long periods of analysis after each chapter. This may be particularly true of a book like Overcoming Sin and Temptation where the chapter divisions are seemingly less logical than in many other books. All this to say that I found this week’s chapter was short and really did not have quite as much gold to mine as in the previous ones (and, I’m sure, as in the ones to come). It was necessary, no doubt, but seems like a short pause before digging into the real treasure that is to follow.
Summary
The chapter outline goes something like this. Following on the chapter’s main point that the life, vigor, and comfort of our spiritual life depend much on our mortification of sin, we have these divisions:
- Life, vigor, and comfort are not necessarily connected to mortification
- Adoption and justification, not mortification, are the immediate causes of life, vigor, and comfort
- However, in the ordinary relationship with God, the vigor and comfort of our
spiritual lives depend much on our mortification of sin
- Mortification alone keeps sin from depriving us of vigor and comfort
- Every unmortified sin will weaken the soul and deprive it of its vigor
- It untunes and unframes the heart itself, by entangling its affections
- It fills the thoughts with contrivances about it
- It breaks out and actually hinders duty
- Every unmortified sin will darken the soul and deprive it of its comfort and peace
- Every unmortified sin will weaken the soul and deprive it of its vigor
- Mortification prunes all the graces of God and makes room for them in our hearts to grow
- As to our peace; as there is nothing that has any evidence of sincerity without it, so I know nothing that has such an evidence of sincerity in it
- Mortification alone keeps sin from depriving us of vigor and comfort
Discussion
As you already know, I found less to chew on in this chapter than in the ones that preceded it. But this is certainly not to say that it was an unprofitable read. Owen’s warning was well taken—that a refusal to mortify sin will and must have to consequences: it will weaken the soul, depriving it of its vigor and it will darken the soul, depriving it of its comfort and peace. I also found this worth pondering: “[Sin] is a cloud, a thick cloud, that spreads itself over the face of the soul, and intercepts all the beams of God’s love and favor. It takes away all sense of the privilege of our adoption; and if the soul begins to gather up thoughts of consolation, sin quickly scatters them.”
And, of course, the chapter’s closing words were pure gold. “Mortification is the soul’s vigorous opposition to itself.” We are too often prone to believe that sin is extrinsic and is caused by forces outside of ourselves. “The Devil made me do it!” we say. But sin comes from within. Sure, we need to oppose the devil. But even more so, we need to oppose our own sinful flesh.
Maybe I am just a restless person, but I flipped ahead one page to take a peek at chapter five. Already I like what it promises. “These things being premised, I come to my principal [concern] of handling some questions or practical cases that present themselves in this business of mortification of sin in believers.” I’m ready!
Next Time
Next Thursday we will continue with the fifth chapter of the book (which will mark the beginning of the book’s second part). We have only just begun so there is still plenty of time for you to get the book and to read along.
Your Turn
I would like to know what you gained from this chapter. Feel free to post comments below or to write about this on your own blog (and then post a comment linking us to your thoughts). Do not feel that you need to say anything shocking or profound. Just share what stirred your heart or what gave you pause or what confused you. Let’s make sure we’re reading this book together. The comments on previous chapters have been great and have aided my enjoyment of the chapter. I trust this week will prove the same.
Comments (29) »
1. Scott D. Andersen
December 6, 2007
10:03 AM
Perhaps the greatest truth I pulled from this chapter is one that sadly, I did not even recognize on the first reading. An evidence perhaps of my own unmortification.
This truth being: Adoption and Justification are the immediate cause of Life and Vigor and Strength and Comfort. Wow and Praise to the Glory of his Grace! Adoption and Justification give me these graces –The Spirit of God put them within my heart immediately upon adoption. They are there – but then also the mortifying through the spirit the deeds of the body has an effectual influence upon the health and work of these graces. Much like the picture Owen makes at the end of the Chapter where he compares the planting of a “precious herb” into a garden. And then the garden goes untilled, the weeds flourish and the precious herb is “withering” and “unuseful.”
“So it is with the graces of the Spirit that are planted in our hearts. That is true; they are still, they abide in a heart where there is some neglect of mortification; but they are ready to die, they are withering and decaying.” … “Let room be made for grace to thrive and flourish – how will every grace act its part, and be ready for every use and purpose!”
Then this last statement: “MORTIFICATION IS THE SOUL’S VIGOUROUS OPPOSITION TO SELF.” This language is so unlike so much that is set forth in our time and culture – even in the name of Christ. Self-Love and Self-Worth is so much set forth as the solution to all our woes. “You have a bad marriage, lack of self-esteem or lack of self-love is the root” we are told from many quarters. But, Flesh cannot overcome flesh. It is not what we think of self, of how much we feed our “self” but what we think of Christ that contributes to the health of the soul.
scott
2. Scott D. Andersen
December 6, 2007
10:24 AM
I do have a question from Chapter Four:
Does anyone know for certain what Owen is speaking of in the first sentence of the last paragraph of chap 4?
“As to our peace; as there is nothing that has any evidence of sincerity without it, so I know nothing that has such an evidence of sincerity in it—which is no small foundation of our peace. “
What is the antecedent of “it” in the first and 2nd clause?
What does nothing refer to? Is it the same as No one?
What does “which” refer to? Mortifying of sin?
Is it saying: “without peace there is no evidence of sincerity (though the peace be only in a small degree) yet ‘IN peace’ there is no evidence of sincerity for there must be a warfare against sin. And mortifying of sin is no small foundation of our peace.” I suppose this is doubtful for though it allows “it” to refer to the same word, “peace”, we are really talking about two different things. 1) A grace of peace and 2) a false kind of peace that is not at war with sin within.
The meaning is probably obvious to most (this sentence even appears in the outline in the back) but if you can shed light on it for me, I give you my thanks, as I did spend a little time trying to figure it out. But not to my satisfaction.
sda
3. Kendall
December 6, 2007
10:24 AM
Though a short chapter, I took 3 memorable and powerful truths from Owen:
One, sin untunes and unframes the heart by entangling the affections. Then, our sin becomes desirable and expels the love for the Father. How true this is. Sin derails my holy affections for God and wraps them around an unholy object. When I am given to sin, I feel like a derailed train - or more aptly said “untuned and unframed.”
Two, fear, desire, and hope which are the choicest affections of the soul and affections that should be full of God, will become entangled with sin. My fear should be for God alone, my desire should be for God alone, and my hope should be in God alone. Sin strikes at these highest affections and replaced them with counterfeits.
Three. Owen’s illustration of the heart as a garden has continued to linger in my mind. How often I live the life of a sluggard and leave the sin of my heart untilled, only to wonder why I cannot see the graces of God (fruit of the Spirit) present in my life. Owen leaves us with these words, “But now let the heart be cleansed by mortification, the weeds of lust constantly and daily rooted up, let room be made for grace to thrive and flourish - how will every grace act its part, and be ready for every use and purpose!”
4. Kevin S.
December 6, 2007
10:51 AM
I’m in agreement with you, Tim. Chapter Four didn’t leave me with a profound sense of awe and wonderment. Either I missed something, or I’m starting to finally understand Owen.
I too, like others above, and most likely, others to come, appreciated the garden analogy. I learned long ago that the secret to keeping a lawn looking lush and green and not filled with dandelions and other noxious weeds is: to keep the lawn healthy. I can apply all kinds of weed killers and they will work for that stretch of the season. But invariably, I’ll need to come back 2-3 times during the season and then next year and so on. However, if I work diligently at keeping the grass itself as healthy as possibly, it will choke out almost all the other weeds. Those few rascally ones that do slip through can be dealt with with far more ease that an entire yard full of them.
I heard/read this the other day and can’t remember where. A well-to-do businessman had just built a lavish new home and desired to have a lavish lawn with landscaping to complement the house. He hired a lawn architect to draw up plans, telling him precisely what he wanted: a lawn and garden that required no maintenance on his part. He was a busy man with many important things to do. He didn’t have the time to spend working in the yard, yet he longed for that same yard to draw attention to his house. The landscaper told him he could plant many varieties of shrubs and bushes, flowers and such that would require very little maintenance. “No,” replied the businessman, “I don’t want to work in them at all.” The lawn architect told him he could install the latest sprinkler systems that would provide all the water his yard & garden would need. All the man would need do is set the timer, check the system on occasion and perform routine maintenance (cleaning the heads, make sure all parts were left uncovered, etc.) “No,” replied the businessman, “I won’t have time for that either.”
Finally, exasperated, the landscape expert said, “I can create and install the garden, but the garden will need a gardener!”
We modern evangelical Christians are too like the businessman, wanting something maintenance free so we won’t have to work at it. We want all the beauty of a “sin-free” life so it will point to something more grand (usually we’d say to God, but really, at this point, it’s simply to us). Owen is like the landscaper, coming to us to talk about how to keep after the weeds of sin in our life, yet all the while telling us clearly, from God’s Word, “The garden needs a gardener!”
Remember: Be killing sin or it will be killing you.
5. David Zavadil
December 6, 2007
11:03 AM
I feel better in knowing that I wasn’t the only one wondering about this chapter. Being busy this week, I was glad that it was a shorter chapter, but disappointed that is seemed more like an extended transition paragraph.
6. Jerry
December 6, 2007
11:23 AM
Heman?
Heman who?
I realize now that i need to pay more diligent attention to the headings of the Psalms. I am now reading Psalm 88 in an entirely different light.
Good chapter, and its brevity allowed a couple of readings this week (I felt guilty about falling behind last week, and endeavored to keep up this time.)
7. Jeffrey Brannen
December 6, 2007
11:41 AM
SDA - I’m no Owen expert, but if I’m understanding him correctly, you’ve hit the nail on the head. There are two types of peace - one which comes as a result of a sincere faith and one which is a false peace (with no sincerity at all).
In our class on Owen at seminary, we discussed the nature of peace in the Christian life - peace is a gift from God but not an immediately necessary consequent of faith. Just because a person has peace does not mean that they are justified and adopted. The source of our peace is a our justification and our adoption, so if we have no peace, we ought to look back and consider whether we have been justified and adopted. BUT, if we have peace, we need to consider the source of that peace - if it comes from any other source but justification and adoption, it is false peace.
The line that everyone is keying in on is the litmus test of our peace: how can I know my peace is founded in justification and adoption? It is found here: “Mortification is the soul’s vigorous opposition to self, wherein sincerity is most evident.”
So many Christians base their hope, not in justification and adoption, but on the temporary and fleeting experience of peace. At the beginning of chapter IV “A man may be carried on in a constant course of mortification all his days; and yet perhaps never enjoy a good day of peace and consolation.”
Are we more concerned with the beneficial effects of our salvation? We must remember “the use of means for the obtaining of peace is ours; the bestowing of it is God’s prerogative.”
8. Pastor Chad
December 6, 2007
11:47 AM
This chapter was exciting for me, partly because it finishes up this section and I cannot wait to get into some of the meat of this book. I have written a fuller reflection on this here. http://crcpastorchad.blogspot.com/2007/12/overcoming-sin-and-temptation-2.html
What I loved most about this chapter was his emphasis on our adoption and justification as the source of vigour and peace in our spiritual lives. When we actively mortify our sinful nature we make room for God to increase our spiritual vigour and joy, should he so choose. This connection, however, is not guaranteed. In a way this is somewhat disappointing. It is always nice to have the “Seven Steps to Spiritual Happiness”, but Owen reminds us that these do not exist.
9. Staci at Writing and Living
December 6, 2007
11:49 AM
I like the garden analogy as well. When I’m struggling with something like ingratitude or pride, I want to cling to it. Since sins like that are private, it can be easy to do. But when I finally repent and sincerely ask God to search my heart, I am then able to truly rest in His grace and love.
10. Chuck
December 6, 2007
1:46 PM
I can completely relate to the “darkening” of my soul after the countless times I return to the same sin, and the love and favor I should continually feel from God through my election is “intercepted” by sin. The comfort and consolation is nowhere to be found and I wonder how God can continue to look upon me as his “good and faithful servant.” But as Owen points out - “[mortification] is the only means of the removal of that which will allow us neither [vigor] nor [power].” In other words, mortify the sin so that it is unable to hinder the strength and comfort God gives you in order to persevere.
p.s. I’m with Jerry and the Heman character. I did a search and only found him mentioned in the Chronicles and Psalm 88, but nothing about his “terrors and wounds that were his portion all his days” even though he mortified. Where did Owen get this?
11. Mrs. J.D.Darr
December 6, 2007
2:08 PM
My husband and I love the Navy Seals (My husband was a rescue swimmer and trained with them, yet wasn’t up for the “legalized torture” :) ) They had one phrase that stuck with us, “It pays to be a winner!” For the saint, there are duties we must attend to constantly…there is no break, no excuse…because the punishment and the reward is too great to ignore. One man in particular was deceitful about the pounds of weight he had to put in his backpack in order to train. He was caught…and punished for not being excellent in his duties. Those who did right, who worked hard and endured received privileges. It paid to be a winner. Owen shows us that these weeds hinder our privileges. Hinder them. We don’t experience God’s good graces when we refuse to carry the full weight of His glory by loving and obeying Him. We must pull the weeds, and examine ourselves daily.
12. Kwame Nyarko
December 6, 2007
2:34 PM
What are we complaining about today?
Among other things in Chapter 4, these word struck me
“Were any of us asked seriously what it is that troubles us, we must refer it to one of these heads - either we want strenght or power, vigor and life, in our OBEDIENCE, in our WALKING with God; or we want peace, comfort, and consolation therein. WHATEVER it is that may befall a believer that does not belong to one of these two heads does not deserve to be mentioned in the days of our complaints”
What awesome words. As I listen to the audio on the life of David Brainerd, who spent so much time in melancholy (about the things of God) but regreted that at the end of his life, I don’t desire to spend so much time complaining about the above quote. But I pray for grace that when I complain, it will be more and more about how I want more and more of Christ in my obedience and walk with God!
I really enjoyed the garden illustration as well.
Kwame Nyarko
13. Jeri
December 6, 2007
3:12 PM
This chapter was good reinforcement for all that went before, and I’m looking forward to Part 2, also. I so appreciate the review of the chapters and the comments…you guys add so much to the reading, and it’s comforting and a blessing to hear your thoughts and know the “fellowship of His sufferings” with you.
14. Boaly
December 6, 2007
3:36 PM
I totally agree with Kwame Nyarko above, Owen’s phrase
“Were any of us asked seriously what it is that troubles us, we must refer it to one of these heads - either we want strenght or power, vigor and life, in our obedience, in our walking with God; or we want peace, comfort, and consolation therein. whatever it is that may befall a believer that does not belong to one of these two heads does not deserve to be mentioned in the days of our complaints”
Is absolutely striking and is a powerful challenge to us grumblers who complain and moan over trivial things compared to a neglect of concern for eternal issues of wieght such as our closeness in walking with God.
15. Jacob Douvier
December 6, 2007
5:31 PM
I didn’t find any sublime profundity. Just a knot of conviction growing in my stomach.
“But now let the heart bet cleansed by mortification, the weeds of lust constantly and daily rooted up (as they spring daily, nature being their proper soil), let room be made for grace to thrive and flourish—how will every grace act its part, and be ready for every use and purpose.”
Very good thoughts worth meditating on.
16. Robert Weir
December 6, 2007
7:50 PM
“Mortification is the soul’s vigorous opposition to self, wherein sincerity is most evident”. In a day and age where our transparency is most needed if we are to show that our faith is real, it is an interesting thing to ponder our own transparency, while looking in the mirror.
17. donsands
December 6, 2007
11:26 PM
“if the soul begins to gather up thoughts of consolation, sin quickly scatters them.”
I found this thought very profound. Jesus promised us, His children peace. Not the world’s peace, but heaven’s peace. It comes from the Cross. The crucified Savior and Friend, who died for us, which is the greatest of all loves, declares His forgiveness and mercy to us. And nothing, not all the sin, demons, and schemes of man, can alter what Christ has done for us.
This truth of His love for us is what causes us to hate and fight sin. And this is only done, without exception, through faith in Him.
This shepherd of God’s people had an incredible way with words. And this gifted teacher of the Word is such a blessing to the Church. What a treasure we have in being able to be taught by this man of God.
My his teachings mold our hearts, and renew our minds. Amen.
18. Robin
December 7, 2007
8:53 AM
I, too, found this chapter a great, encouraging, wrap-up to this first section. I have been reminded through these first four chapters that my ability to mortify my sin is not MY ability - I am the same “nothing” in this function as I am in all other functions without Christ! How encouraging that my hope, in this too, can only be found in Christ.
Owen really brought that point to a head in my mind with his thoughts on our complaints. If I am focusing on anything other than my true reason for being - the glorification of God - then my complaints will not fall within Owen’s guidelines. But, because of that, those complaints will be about nothing but “filthy rags” material to begin with! And if filthy rags are forefront in my mind, I can be sure I am not mortifying my sin through the Holy Spirit! It’s as if God gave us a built in “silent alarm” system - and I must stay focused on the main goal so I can be aware of that silent alarm.
I am truly looking forward to chapter five. I am grateful that Owen saw fit to cover what mortification is NOT first. This will give my mind a firmer grasp on what it truly IS!
SDG
Robin
19. Jerry
December 7, 2007
9:31 AM
Chuck,
When Owen writes “terrors and wounds that were his portion all his days”, I believe that this is his interpretation of Heman’s experience:
For my soul is full of troubles,
and my life draws near to Sheol.
I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am a man who has no strength,
like one set loose among the dead,
like the slain that lie in the grave,
like those whom you remember no more,
for they are cut off from your hand.
You have put me in the depths of the pit,
in the regions dark and deep.
Your wrath lies heavy upon me,
and you overwhelm me with all your waves. (Psalm 88:3-7, ESV)
As well as the balance of Psalm 88. Only one who had endured these types of ‘terrors and wounds” could write so poignantly .
20. Marilyn B.
December 7, 2007
3:23 PM
I chose this quote as a highlight of the week’s reading: “Men that are sick and wounded under the power of lust make many applications for help; they cry to God when the perplexity of their thoughts overwhelms them, even to God do they cry, but are not delivered; in vain do they use many remedies—”
How often do we hear of believers crying out to God for relief of sin’s consequences without doing any work to destroy the sin in themselves? They attend church and Bible studies. They read self-help books, they seek counseling, they join support groups and may even take medication; joy and peace still elude them. In Psalm 66 the writer speaks of praising God for His great deeds; in verse 18 we read, “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”
This week’s concept seems to come back to the simple statement “Be killing sin or it will be killing you.”
I wrote a little more here but the highlight for me is above.
21. Loren
December 8, 2007
1:52 AM
Concurrently with Overcoming Sin and Temptation, I am also reading Jean-Pierre de Caussade’s Abandonment to Divine Providence. I believe the timing is providential because I came across the following, among other things, in Abandonment (from Letter #10 - Restraint of Over-Eagerness):
“…if you wish to derive from it all the fruit that I expect, you must restrain your eagerness to read, and not allow yourself to be carried away by curiosity to know what is coming. Make use of the time allowed by the Rule to read it, concentrate all your attention on what you are actually reading without troubling about the rest. I advise you above all, to enter into the meaning of the consoling and solid truths that you will find laid down in this book; but more in a practical way than by speculative reflexions, and, from time to time, make short pauses to allow these truths time to flow through all the recesses of the soul and to give occasion for the operation of the Holy Spirit who, during these peaceful pauses, and times of silent attention, engraves and imprints these heavenly truths in the heart. …simply and quietly trying to make them enter into your heart more than into your mind.”
Caussade’s words capture well the attitude I am seeking from the Holy Spirit as I am reading Owen and the scriptures he cites. Throughout this reading I have found myself taking many short and some longer pauses to reflect, for example, on where I am really at in this mortification process.
Like others above, Owen’s description of sin’s hardening and distracting consequences is not easily forgotten:
“It untunes and unframes the heart itself by entangling its affections. It diverts the heart from the spiritual frame that is required for vigorous communion with God; it lays hold on the affections, rendering its object beloved and desirable, so expelling the love of the Father (1 John 2:15; 3:17); so that
the soul cannot say uprightly and truly to God, “You are my portion,” having something else that it loves. Fear, desire, hope, which are the choice affections of the soul, that should be full of God, will be one way or other entangled
with it.”
I think every Christian knows what Owen is saying is true if they stop for any length to look at their life. As I continue to reflect on these words I have to ask myself: How often can I honestly say, “God, You are my portion?” — not my career, not the next new gadget, not my 401k, not my ________. How often are my affections entangled with that which distracts me from God alone being my portion? Pathetically, much, much too often. So…as I reflect on this reading I am asking God, what does it mean for me, in my day-to-day, busy, deadline driven, Madison avenue saturated life, to become less entangled in this world system so that I can honestly and increasingly say, “God, truly you are my portion in this life” and actually live like it each day.
22. Carol
December 8, 2007
8:51 AM
Like Tim & Kevin, I didn’t find as much in this chapter as I did in others to wrap my prayers around.
However, the one word, “vigor,” especially as it relates to life in Christ (or, “Gospel holiness” I think the puritans called it) is a compelling word choice.
I looked it up: (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/vigor)
1. Physical or mental strength, energy, or force.
2. The capacity for natural growth and survival, as of plants or animals.
3. Strong feeling; enthusiasm or intensity.
4. Legal effectiveness or validity.
This word alone inspires me to ponder what my life should look like in Christ- and although I wouldn’t presume to speak for Owen, I think the vigor he especially speaks of in terms of mortifying sin is one of strength, effort, enthusiasm, and force (not the treadmill type) but rather one of the heart.
Is my life characterized by a love for growth, and an intensity for growth and effort when I am most weak? Is my effort self-sustained or God-sustained? How am I directing my hopes, my efforts, my strength? Too often my “vigor,” is self-sufficient. Too often my hope is in “what can I do differently.”
However, and this by Grace, the Lord in his providence has brought another season my way during which I won’t have as much physical vigor. I hope that during this season I can direct my efforts more pointedly to vigor in mortification by grace alone, by faith alone, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
23. Bill Petruzzo
December 8, 2007
12:32 PM
I appreciated this chapter’s rebuttal of sin producing happiness, but instead it would destroy what happiness there could be.
Posted all of my thoughts at my own blog here:
http://petruzzo.wordpress.com
I also flipped ahead a little bit to the next chapter and I’m really excited.
24. Ben G
December 8, 2007
9:40 PM
Kwame, those words convicted me! What do I really want? “Strength or power, vigor and life, in our OBEDIENCE, in our WALKING with God; or we want peace, comfort, and consolation therein!” Not a new job, or a better place to live! Amen!
I think the reason this chapter was not AS satisfying as previous chapters, is that the main theme was to downplay mortification and remind us that the real source of peace is adoption and justification. Owen handles the nuances of the importance of mortification vs. these concepts eloquently.
Finally, I also loved the garden metaphor. Instead of planting exotic looking plants (on my own effort), I need to clear away the debris so that the natural plants (of God’s graces) can flourish.
25. Thomas Sullivan
December 9, 2007
5:54 AM
I feel like I am in great company here. A discussion about Owen’s work on Mortification of Sin. I rarely meet with people who want to talk experimental theology. A couple of things, because I am getting in the discussion late. This book is heavy on my mind. I have two narrated versions of it on Sermon Audio, one more recent that I did… SID=61404213748 and one I narrated a few years back for the Chapel Library that SWRB put on Sermon Audio. SID=62906111628 - so I should be familiar with this book. AND YET I have been listening to some sermons taught by Pastor Les Walthers on Owen’s book
that are on www.sermonaudio.com http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=9907212604
There are 14 total and I am on Chapter 9. I will not get ahead of your discussion, but would like to continue to read your thoughts. I must say, after hearing four sermons on the subject yesterday that I am thoroughly humbled. I cannot remember when a series of sermons so cut me to the heart. At the same time I have just finished narrating from Owen’s massive work on Pneumatology, The Work of the Spirit Antecedently to Regeneration and found it very edifying. Owen shows how it is that unregenerate people have not only the common influences of the Spirit, but gifts of the Spirit as well and yet it never results in regeneration.
John Owen’s Works Book 3 Chapter 3 Volume 1.
One more John Owen note. There are 24 volumes of John Owen’s works. Volume 17 is entirely in Latin. I purchased it before I realized which volume it was. I have a book of Owen I can’t read! It was translated in 1993 by Soli Deo Gloria. It is titled Biblical Theology. Volumes 18-24 are his commentary on Hebrews of which 1000 pages in introductory material. Is it any wonder he is called the Prince of the Puritans?
26. Mike Leake
December 10, 2007
2:16 PM
I’ve read a fair amount by Edwards and Piper therefore such statements as “the life, vigor, and comfort of our spiritual life” hit a deep chord. I often resolve as did Edwards in his 22nd Resolution to “endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I
am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.” I see then from this the necessity that mortification has on my pursuit of happiness in God alone. Great chapter.
I posted all of my thoughts here:
Overcoming Sin and Temptation Chapter 4
27. Thomas Sullivan
December 13, 2007
6:47 AM
I hope this discussion continues. I have been re-awakened by studying this book again this week, and have been quite humbled by it. The best chapters are yet to come. I have owned three copies of this book, - I mean volume 6 of Owen’s works which also contain his works, Sin and Temptation, The Forgiveness of Sin, and Indwelling Sin in the Believer. J I Packer once said that if he had read Indwelling Sin BEFORE reading the Mortification of Sin, it would have sent him into a real state of spiritual depression, so thorough Owen is. But the book is, of course, no good if not applied. The copy I now own was once owned by a prominent Reformed Baptist pastor who shipwrecked his profession and disqualified himself from the ministry. He didn’t just fall, he PLUNGED into sin. The irony is that Owen’s treatise was one of the first Sunday School class subjects he taught as a new pastor. I have his notes in the margin. I got the book by selling his library to do his dad a favor for him. (Long story) I traded my newer copy for the used copy to have the notes in the margins and a warning to me each time I perused the book. I realize that this discussion so far is only on Chapter four so allow me to say a word about Heman - Ps. 88. I have studied religious depression for years and have found that Heman’s case is not uncommon in old Church biographies. William Cowper went into despair 4 times in his life, the latter was so deep that for 7 years he never set foot in a church. Timothy Rogers(1658-1728) was also in a state of melancholy for two years and the result was a book he wrote that has recently been reprinted entitled “Trouble of Mind and the Disease of Melancholy.” See also Chapter 4 of Archibald Alexander’s book, “Thoughts on Religious Experience.” Owen appears to be saying that it is the normal condition for the Christian to have live peace and spiritual vigor, but allows that not all spiritual depression, for example in the case of Heman, is unmortified sin. There is one thing that is vitally important that Owen states. The mortification of sin is a means to an end, not a cause and effect of salvation. We are saved by justification alone, but progressive sanctification is a means to the end of our final salvation. Edwards’ words are applicable to Owen’s statements, ‘No such signs (evidences of being saved) are to be expected, that shall be sufficient to enable those saints certainly to discern their own good estate, who are very low in grace, or are such as have much departed from God, and are fallen into a dead, carnal, and unchristian frame. It is not agreeable to God’s design, (as already observed,) that such should know their good estate: nor is it desirable that they should; but on the contrary, it is every way best that they should not. We have reason to bless God, that he has made no provision that such should certainly know the state they are in, any other way, than by first coming out of their ill frame and way. (Treatise on the Religious Affections Part 3 Introduction)
28. Scott D. Andersen
December 13, 2007
9:16 AM
Thomas, appreciate your comments and the background you provide. It was interesting to me how you had desired to own the copy of Owen’s works previously used by a a former and fallen reformed baptist pastor - in order to serve as a warning to yourself. Please keep the comments coming as we go on.
Also, I want to say thank you again for some brotherly love you showed me many years ago. I recollect we met on possibly a prodigy bulletin board or maybe AOL. I was newly considering the doctrines of Grace at that time. (must be real early 90’s but exact year I cannot be certain) I remember you sent me a book and some audio tapes your recorded, through you I found Mount Zion and their publications. I’m not positive but it seems you also helped me find the Complete Works of Richard Baxter. The fruit of that can be seen in the treatise, “The Mutual Duties of Husbands and Wives Together” over on the fire and ice web site. It’s good to cross paths with you again Thomas and even though I have never met you outside of the internet, it was with warm brotherly affection I rejoiced to see your name within the comments of this blog. Look forward to reading more of your thoughts as the weeks go on.
sda
29. Scott D. Andersen
December 13, 2007
9:19 AM
Correction: The Mutual Duties of Husbands and Wives Towards Each Other
sda
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