'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — February 23

The Holy Spirit is our only sufficiency for the work of mortification. He is the only great power behind it and he works in us as he pleases. God promised his Spirit for this very work. He alone works in and upon believers. He takes away the stony heart, the stubborn, proud, rebellious, and unbelieving heart (Ezek. 11:19). Mortification is one of the blessings we have in Christ and is given us by his Spirit. In his strength we can be mortified. How does the Spirit mortify sin? (1.) By causing our hearts to abound in grace and the fruits that are contrary to the works of the flesh. Paul teaches that the fruits of the Spirit are contrary to the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). (2.) By the effective destruction of the root and habit of sin, to weaken, destroy, and take it away. He takes away the stony heart by an almighty work. He begins this work as to its kind, and then carries it on by degrees. He is the fire that burns up the very root of lust. (3.) He brings the cross of Christ into the heart of a sinner by faith, and gives us communion with Christ in his death and sufferings. The Holy Spirit works mortification in us; yet, he keeps it still an act of our own obedience. The Holy Spirit works in us and upon us, as we are fit to be wrought in and upon: that is, so as to preserve our own liberty and free obedience. He works upon our understandings, wills, consciences, and affections, agreeably to their own natures. He works in us and with us, not against us or without us, so that his assistance is an encouragement as to the facilitating of the work. Those who seek to keep down sin without the aid of the Spirit, labour in vain. They will combat without victory, wage war without peace, and are slaves all their days.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
John Owen, Works, VI:9-14
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