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

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mdccclxii

Contents of Vol. VI

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Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers, etc

Prefatory Note by the Editor

Preface

CHAPTER I
The foundation of the whole ensuing discourse laid in Rom. 8:13—The words of the apostle opened—The certain connection between true mortification and salvation—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 promised to this duty

CHAPTER II
The principal assertion concerning the necessity of mortification proposed to confirmation—Mortification the duty of the best believers, Col. 3:5; 1 Cor. 9:27—Indwelling sin always abides; no perfection in this life, Phil. 3:12; 1 Cor. 13:12; 2 Pet. 3:18; Gal. 5:17, etc.—The activity of abiding sin in believers, Rom. 7:23; James 5:5; Heb. 12:1—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. 5:17; 2 Pet. 1:4, 5; Rom. 7:23—The fearful issue of the neglect of mortification, Rev. 3:2; Heb. 3:13—The first general principle of the whole discourse hence confirmed—Want of this lamented

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 discovered—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. 11:19, 36:26—All that we receive from Christ is by the Spirit—How the Spirit mortifies sin—Gal. 5:19–23—The several ways of his operation to this end proposed—How his work and our duty

CHAPTER IV
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. 88, Heman’s condition—Not as on the next and immediate cause—As a means; by removing of the contrary—The desperate effects of any unmortified lust; it weakens the soul, Ps. 38:3, 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 improvement 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 ...