Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

by John Owen – February 8th, 2019

www.ChapelLibrary.org •  chapel@mountzion.org  

Chapter 5 “WHAT MORTIFICATION IS NOT” Continued     

3. Not to Improve a Quiet Nature

The mortification of sin consists not in the improvement(41)  of a quiet, sedate nature. Some men have an advantage by their natural constitution so far as that they are not exposed to such violence of unruly passions and tumultuous affections as many others are. Let now these men cultivate and improve their natural frame and temper by discipline, consideration, and prudence, and they may seem to themselves and others very mortified men, when perhaps their hearts are a standing cesspool of all abominations. Perhaps some man is never so much troubled all his life with anger and passion, nor troubles others, as another is almost every day; and yet the latter has done more to the mortification of the sin than the former. Let not such persons try their mortification by things which their natural disposition does not tend toward. Let them attempt to deny self or to mortify unbelief, envy, or some such spiritual sin, and they will have a better view of themselves.

 (41)  improvement – advantageous use of what is already in man’s nature