The Works of John Owen, Vol. 7: Sin and Grace
Description
Despite his other achievements, Owen is best famed for his writings. These cover the range of doctrinal, ecclesiastical and practical subjects. They are characterized by profundity, thoroughness and, consequently, authority. Andrew Thomson said that Owen 'makes you feel when he has reached the end of his subject, that he has also exhausted it.'
Although many of his works were called forth by the particular needs of his own day they all have a uniform quality of timelessness. Owen's works were republished in full in the nineteenth century. Owen is surely the Prince of the Puritans. 'To master his works', says Spurgeon, 'is to be a profound theologian.'
Contents
NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY FROM THE GOSPEL. | ||
PREFATORY NOTE BY THB EDITOR, | 2 | |
To the Reader, | 3 | |
I | The nature of apostasy from the gospel declared, in an exposition of Heb. vi. 4-6, | 11 |
II | Partial apostasy from the gospel- Pretences of the church of Rome against the charge of this evil examined and rejected, | 52 |
III | Apostasy from the mystery, truth, or doctrine of the gospel-Proneness of persons and churches thereunto-Proved by all sorts of instances, | 60 |
IV | The reasons and causes of apostasy from the truth or doctrine of the gospel, and the inclination of all sorts of persons thereunto in all ages, inquired into and declared… | 79 |
V | Darkness and ignorance another cause of apostasy, | 102 |
VI | Pride and vanity of mind, sloth and negligence, love of the world, causes of apostasy… | 123 |
VII | Instance of a peculiar defection from the truth of the gospel; with the reasons of it, | 144 |
VIII | Apostasy from the holiness of the gospel; the occasion and cause of it… | 159 |
IX | Apostasy into profaneness and sensuality of life- The causes’ and occasions of it-Defects in public teachers and guides in religion, | 182 |
X | Other causes and occasions of the decay of holiness, | 196 |
XI | Apostasy from evangelical worship, | 217 |
XII | Inferences from the foregoing discourses… | 222 |
XIII | Directions to avoid the power of a prevailing apostasy, | 241 |
THE GRACE AND DUTY OF BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED. | ||
PREFATORY NOTE BT THE EDITOR, | 262 | |
Preface, | 263 | |
PART I. | ||
I | The words of the text explained, | 267 |
II | A particular account of the nature of this grace and duty of being spiritually minded-How it is stated in and evidenced by our thoughts, | 274 |
III | Outward means and occasions of such thoughts of spiritual things as do not prove men to be spiritually minded… | 282 |
IV | Other evidences of thoughts about spiritual things arising from an internal principle of grace, whereby they are an evidence of our being spiritually minded… | 298 |
V | The objects of spiritual thoughts, or what they are conversant about; evidencing them in whom they are to be spiritually minded… | 308 |
VI | Directions unto the exercise of our thoughts on things above… | 332 |
VII | Especial objects of spiritual thoughts on the glorious state of heaven, and what belongs thereunto… | 344 |
VIII | Spiritual thoughts of God himself… | 351 |
IX | What of God or in God we are to think and meditate upon… | 367 |
X | Sundry things tendered unto such as complain that, they know not how, they are not able to abide in holy thoughts of God and spiritual or heavenly things, for their relief, instruction, and direction-Rules concerning stated spiritual meditation, | 379 |
PART II. | ||
XI | The seat of spiritual mindedness in the affections… | 394 |
XII | What is required in and unto our affections that they may be spiritual- A threefold work on the affections described, | 410 |
XIII | The work of the renovation of our affections… | 416 |
XIV | The second difference between affections spiritually renewed and those which have been only changed by light and conviction… | 423 |
XV | Delight of believers in the holy institutions of divine worship… | 430 |
XVI | Assimilation unto things heavenly and spiritual in affections spiritually renewed… | 445 |
XVII | Decays in spiritual affections, with the causes and danger of them… | 455 |
XVIII | [The state of spiritual affections], | 467 |
XIX | [The true notion and consideration of spiritual and heavenly things], | 474 |
XX | [The application of the soul unto spiritual objects], | 482 |
XXI | [Spiritual mindedness life and peace], | 488 |
A TREATISE OF THE DOMINION OF SIN AND GRACE. | ||
PREFATORY NOTE BY THE EDITOR, | 500 | |
To the serious reader, | 501 | |
I | What sin is consistent with the state of grace, and what not… | 505 |
II | The inquiries for understanding the text proposed… | 508 |
III | The second inquiry spoken to, Whether sin hath dominion in us or not… | 517 |
IV | Hardness of heart spoken to as an eminent sign of sin’s dominion; and it is shown that it ought to be considered as total or partial, | 534 |
V | The third inquiry handled, namely, What is the assurance given us, and what are the grounds thereof, that sin shall not have dominion over us… | 542 |
VI | The practical observations drawn from, and application made of, the whole text, | 552 |
About the Author
Amongst the best known of the Puritans, John Owen (1616-1683) was a profound and thought provoking pastor-theologian. His writings continue to be widely read and greatly appreciated to this day.