Glory of Christ by John Owen (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 2 (The way and means of the recovery of spiritual decays, and of obtaining fresh springs of grace).
So this week, Owen thirdly shows that many professors of religion are fallen under spiritual decays and do not enjoy the effects of the promises concerning flourishing and fruitfulness. Owen makes the following observations:
(i) Have you, in the way of your profession, had any experience of these spiritual decays? I doubt not but that there are some who have been preserved green and flourishing from their first conversion unto God, who never fell under the power of sloth, neglect, or temptation, at least not for any remarkable season, but they are but few;
(ii) To improve this conviction, I would ask of some, whether they have been able to maintain spiritual peace and joy in their souls. I take it for granted that ordinarily they are inseparable adjuncts of the life of faith, in an humble, fruitful walk before God;
(iii) Not to inquire farther into things internal and hidden, wherein men may justify themselves if they please, there are too many open, visible evidences of these decays among professors of religion; they have not kept them from the eyes of the church, nor yet from the world;
(iv) May not God say of many of us what he said of his people of old, “Thou hast been weary of me, O Israel?” Isa. xliii. 22.;
(v) If we should make a particular inquiry into the state of our souls with respect unto those graces which are most useful, and tend most to the glory of God, it is to be feared that the decays of many would be made very evident; such are zeal, humility, contriteness of heart, spiritual-mindedness, vigour of soul, and delight in the ways of God, love, charity, self-denial, and the like.
Fourthly Owen teaches the way and means whereby believers may be delivered from these decays, and come to thrive and flourish in the inward principle and outward fruits of spiritual life. Thus he proposes the following considerations:
(i) The state of spiritual decays is recoverable;
(ii) A strict attendance unto the severities of mortification, with all the duties that lead thereunto, is required unto this end;
(iii) The work of recovering backsliders or believers from under their spiritual decays is an act of sovereign grace, wrought in us by virtue of divine promises;
(iv) The means prescribed unto this end, that our backslidings may be healed in a way suited unto the glory of God, is renewed repentance;
(v) The work itself is declared, — (1.) By its nature; (2.) In its causes; (3.) From its effects.
I liked Owen's point of what must come before healing: 'But few there are who either know or apply themselves, or direct others, unto the proper remedy of this evil. Besides, it is almost as difficult to convince men of their spiritual decays as it is to recover them from them; but without this, healing is impossible. If men know not their sickness, they will not seek for a cure. Some, when they see their sickness and their wound, will apply themselves unto wrong, useless remedies, like them in the prophet Hosea, v. 13. None will make use of any cure who see no disease at all.'
Unfortunately most of the world misdiagnoses the problem of sin. And misses out on the healing.
One sentence final verdict
Owen makes crystal clear that the glory of Christ is the be all and end all of everything.
Next week's reading
A body of divinity by Thomas Watson (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read 'To the reader', 'A short account of the author', and 'Preliminary discourse to catechising'.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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