Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

by John Owen – January 18^th, 2019

 chapel@mountzion.org • www.ChapelLibrary.org

 Chapter 2 – CONTINUOUS ACTIVITY OF INDWELLING SIN Continued 

b.The evil influence of lack of mortification on unbelievers

The lack of mortification has an evil influence on unbelievers by a twofold account.

1). It hardens them by convincing them that they are in as good condition as the best professors. Whatever they see in such a professor is so stained for lack of this mortification that it is of no value to the observer. They have a zeal for religion, but it is accompanied with a lack of forbearance and universal righteousness. They deny prodigality(24) but live in worldliness; or they “separate” from the world but live wholly to themselves, taking no care to exercise loving-kindness in the earth; or they talk spiritually and live vainly; or they mention communion with God but are in every way conformed to the world; or they boast of forgiveness of sin yet never forgive others. And with such considerations do poor creatures harden their hearts in their unregeneracy.

2). The professor who lacks mortification deceives unbelievers, in making them believe that if they can come up to the professor’s condition it shall be well with them. And so unbelievers are easily tempted to strive for some reputation in religion, and even go far beyond such professors in outward religion, and yet come short of eternal life. But of these things and all the evils of an unmortified life we will consider later.

(24) prodigality – reckless extravagance in material things