The deformity of soul which came upon us in the loss of the image of God, wherein in beauty and harmony of all our faculties, in all their actings in order unto their utmost end, did consist; that enmity unto God, even in the mind, which ensued therein; that darkness which our understandings were clouded, yea, blinded withal, —the spiritual death which passed on the whole soul, and total alienation from the life of God; that impotency unto good, that inclination unto evil, that deceitfulness of sin, that power and efficacy of corrupt lusts, which the Scriptures and experience so fully charge on the state of lost nature, are rejected as empty notions or fables. No wonder if such persons look upon imputed righteousness as the shadow of a dream, who esteem those things which evidence its necessity to be but fond imaginations. And small hope is there to bring such men to value the righteousness of Christ as imputed to them, who are so unacquainted with their own unrighteousness inherent in them. Until men know themselves better, they will care very little to know Christ at all.
John Owen, The Doctrine of Justification by Faith in The Works of John Owen, 5:21 (HT: Inwoo Lee)
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- John Owen: Abraham’s Evangelical Obedience Excluded From His Justification
- Owen: Sanctification A Grace Of The Spirit Proceeding From Justification
- Justification And Sanctification: The Twofold Grace Of Salvation