Featured Grace and Duty of being Spiritually Minded, pt2

Yes.. I also find it hard to work through.
Two of the most helpful thoughts I found in this work were where he asked the readers,when you are by yourself and not at work,not involved in conversations.....where do your thoughts go to?
Is it always to earthly natural concerns? Or to heavenly and spiritual thoughts?
I used that in a class one time.
I asked the members to draw a big circle to make a pie chart.
Then to divide it up...how much time spent on sleep, personal hygiene eating ,work ,reading, tv watching exercise, recreation,marital duties.
Then I asked them at what point or how much time was given over to spiritual thoughts in the midst of such a busy schedule.
Many were a bit sad as they admitted that carnal thoughts were predominant.
It helped me to reorganize my own thought life.
He had quoted Jer.4:14 and in this context it kinda took a bite of my thoughts...
The other that I have profited from is his comments on 4 kinds of people and how they react to spiritual conversation.
It has helped me to know quickly who I was speaking with and alerts me to potential problems.
I had read through Roman's 8 and many a Calvinist can live in that chapter.
But I never understood the depth of verse 6 until he put the spotlight on this verse.
As a result I now examine many other passages along the same line as how went about opening this passage.

 

There is a local pastor who holds that this can be the case, I do not agree with him based on the text.
However the question you have raised and what he sought to address is how do we account for the shameful conduct that is observable?
This is the value of working through such a work as supplied by John Owen.

By showing a clear distinction as the text does, it serves as a warning to any who want to please God, to examine such shameful conduct and ask in prayer to be enabled to be obedient to our calling to be saints.

 

God has given us 66 books, not a postcard.
If I go to a Buffet I want to see a variety and quantity available, not just two hotdogs.
If more is presented then you want to entertain, you can pick out one paragraph and talk about it.
Someone else might see a different paragraph that catches their eye.
Another might not have read anything like what is offered and might actually enjoy taking a look at what is available.

 

T1946,

Thanks for the link. I have already downloaded it to my home computer and in time will do a thread on it.
I have made it home for a few days, so my wife has already provided a honey do list, lol.
T1946. with my job I have an opportunity to work through such files, and books, more than most people.
I would rather read through lengthy portions and look and search out the solid thoughts to be had, than see tweets with no scriptural support.
How I approach such a book is to try and make sure I understand what the person is offering.
Then I filter it through scripture and see what parts survive that filtering process.
He like primitive baptists believe similar, but different.
What I mean is, it would not bother me at all if the supralapsarian view were correct. I almost went that way a time or two, but decided the infralapsarian view was more consistent.
So i will look to examine his BEST scriptural position against what I hold, and see if I need to make changes.
On BB any post longer than 3 sentences seems to wear out non Cals.
They are so used to picking verses out of content so they can supply whatever meaning they want.

 

You are CORRECT Kyred...I want to make sure you get your moneys worth

 

At first glance I think my main focus will be from pg87-234
I LIKE That he is coming with a heavy dose of scripture.
He read Charnock and Goodwin so he is going to be serious.
I will start a new thread when I can, as I do not want to derail my own thread here.

 

CHAPTER 9. WHAT WE ARE TO THINK OF GOD. What of God or in God we are to think and meditate upon — His being — Reasons for it; oppositions to it; the way of their conquest — Thoughts of the omnipresence and omniscience of God are peculiarly necessary — The reasons for this — As also of His omnipotence — The use and benefit of such thoughts.

First, Think much of the being and existence of God. In this lies the foundation of all our relation and access to him: Heb 11.6, “He that comes to God must believe that He exists.” This is the first object of faith, and it is the first act of reason; and being the sole foundation of all religion, it is our duty to be exercised to multiplied thoughts about it, renewed on all occasions.

For many who are not direct atheists, still live without any solid, well-grounded assent to the divine being; they don’t believe it so as to be practically influenced by the consideration of it.

It is granted that the inbred light of nature, in the due exercise of reason, will give any rational creature satisfaction in the being of God. But in most, there is an anticipation of any thoughts of this nature by tradition and education, which has united men into an unknowing assent to it. They never called it into question, nor do they suppose there is any cause to do so
Nature itself startles at the first thought of denying it. But if ever such persons, on any urgent occasions, come to have real thoughts about it, they are at a loss and fluctuate in their minds, not having any certain, indubitable conviction of its truth. Our knowledge of the Divine Being, as to its foundation, is laid in the light of nature, the operation of conscience, and the due exercise of reason about the works and effects of infinite power and wisdom. So this knowledge ought to be increased and rendered useful by faith in divine revelations, and the experience of divine power through them. By this faith we ought to let in frequent thoughts of the divine being and existence. And that is for two reasons, rendering the duty necessary in an eminent manner in this age in which we live:

 

1. The abounding of atheism, both notional and practical. The reasons for it have been given before, and the fact of the matter is evident to any ordinary observation. And on two accounts with respect to this, we ought to abound in thoughts of faith concerning the being of God:

(1.) An especial testimony is required in us in opposition to this cursed effect of hell. Therefore, whoever is spiritually minded, must have many thoughts of the being of God, thereby giving glory to him: Isa 43.9-12, “Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and show us former things? Let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified; or let them hear, and say, It is truth. You are my witnesses, says the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be any after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior. I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you.

Therefore you are my witnesses, says the LORD, that I am God.” Chap. 44.8, “Fear not, neither be afraid: haven’t I told you from that time, and have declared it? You even are my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? Indeed, there is no God; I don’t know any.”

(2.) We will have occasion for them continually administered to us. Those atheistic impieties, principles and practices which abound among us, are grievous provocations to all pious souls. Without frequent retreat to thoughts of the being of God, there is no relief nor refreshment to be had under them. Such was the case of Noah in the old world, and of Lot in Sodom; which rendered their graces illustrious.

 

2. Because of the unaccountable confusions that all things are filled with at this time in the world. Whatever in former times has been a temptation in human affairs to any of the people of God, it abounds at this day. Never did men have more profane and profligate outward appearances to strengthen them in their atheism, nor did those who are godly have greater trials for their faith, with respect to the visible state of things in the world.

The psalmist of old on such an occasion was almost surprised into unbelieving complaints, Psa 123.2-5, etc.; and such surprisals may now also befall us, that we may be ready to say with him, “Truly I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. For all day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.”

Hence, when the prophet Habakkuk was exercised with thoughts about such a state of things as we find at this day in the world, which he declares in chap. 1.6-10, he lays the foundation of his consideration in the fresh exercise of faith on the being and properties of God, verses 12,13; and David makes that his retreat on a like occasion,

in Psa 11.3-5. In such a time as this, on both the accounts mentioned, those who are spiritually minded will greatly exercise their thoughts about the being and existence of God. They will say within themselves, “Truly there is a reward for the righteous: truly he is a God who judges in the earth.” (Psa 58.11) From this will follow such apprehensions of the immensity of His nature, of his eternal power and infinite wisdom, of his absolute sovereignty, as will hold their soul firm and steadfast in the highest storms of temptation that may befall them. Yet are there two things that the weaker sort of believers may be exercised with, in their thoughts of the divine being and existence, which may occasion some trouble for them