that it cannot act on its own or exert itself in the life of the believer.62 This entails not only the fruit of sin in external behavior patterns but also the root of sin in internal motives and desires. In his development of the concept of mortification, Owen explains first what it is not before describing what it is. Mortification does not mean to so eliminate sin in this life that it is no longer a problem. Though this is the goal of sanctification, it cannot be reached this side of glory due