Owen Stockton’s Three Means of Mortification from Sin

Having been foiled by the lusts of my own heart several times, and considering what I should do to get rid of those lusts, which had so often prevailed over me, God directed me to three several means. 

Means 1: Meditate on God’s promises

The one was suggested to me as I was walking in my garden and meditating on the affairs of my soul, and that was to be more frequent in eyeing, applying, and meditating on the promises; and the Scripture, which the Holy Spirit of God set before me for this end was 2 Peter 1:4. By the precious promises given to us, we “escape the pollution that is in the world, through lust.”

Means 2: Daily apply the Lord Jesus Christ to your soul

The other was suggested to me as I was hearing a sermon, and that was to be daily applying the Lord Jesus to my soul, grounded on Romans 13:13-14. where the apostle advises to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, as a help against chambering and wantonness, strife and envying. The third was suggested to me as I was riding abroad, and discoursing of the things of God, which was Galatians 5:16: “Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.”

In pursuance of these means for the mortifying of the lusts of the flesh, I determined with my self, to Eye the promises of God, more frequently than I had done, and to that end, I chose out some promises of daily and continual use, and determined by the help of God, to salute and embrace them once a day, and not only to take a view of them myself, but in my meditations, and soliloquies to spread them before God, and to put the Lord in remembrance of them. 

For supplying all the wants of the day, I chose that promise of Philippians 4:19 for growth in grace, Hosea 14:5; for subduing my sins, Micah 7:19 and Romans 6:14; for success in my undertakings, Psalm 1:3, for turning all the events of the day for good to me, Romans 8:28; for the conversion and sanctification of my children, Isaiah 44:3; for my yoke-fellow and servants, and all others in my family that they might get good from me, and return to God, and grow in grace, Hosea 14:7; for sanctifying of my afflictions, Isaiah 27:9 and Zechariah 13:9; for audience of my prayers, Micah 7:7 and John 14:13-14; for grace and strength to manage all the works of the day, to the glory of God, Zechariah 10:12; for protection from dangers and casualties Genesis 15:1; for giving me eternal life, in case the day should bring death to me, Luke 12:32 and John 3:16; and for counsel and direction in all cases of difficulty, and unexpected emergencies, Isaiah 58:11 and Psalm 32:8.

I judged it also very conducible, to the glory of God and my own soul’s good, to manage all my employments, as much as may be with an eye to the promises, and as to my calling, when I am studying to compose sermons, Deuteronomy 28:8; when I go to preach, Matthew 28:19-20; for success in my preaching, Isaiah 56:8 to 65:23.

I was the more confirmed in this frequent, and familiar converse with the promises, not only as it helps on our participation of the Divine nature, and our escaping the pollution that is in the world through lust, but because the Lord commands us to be always mindful of his covenant (1 Chronicles 16:15) and it pleases God to see us taking hold of his covenant (Isaiah 56:4), and it is for the glory of God (2 Corinthians 1:20).

I determined also when I should feel the workings of any lust, presently to look up to Jesus Christ: [this] being the remedy which the Holy Spirit prescribes against such sins as do most easily beset us (Hebrews 12:1-2). I have often been encouraged and helped in this practice, of looking unto Jesus, to subdue my sins from Acts 3:26: “God sent his Son Jesus, to bless us in turning us every one from his iniquities.” Beza’s note upon that text is very good, and has been of use to me, namely: that the [Greek] word for iniquities, signifies the roots and habits of sin. I saw it was my duty, and concern every day, to be more frequent in applying my soul to Christ, and Christ his benefits to my soul.

Means 3: Walk in the Spirit

In pursuance of the third means of mortification – namely: walking in the Spirit – I resolved to endeavour to do my works, and duties both to God and men, more spiritually, and in order hereunto, to reduce my actings to some word, and as oft as I could, to eye some word of God, as I was entering on them.

As for instance: if I be called out by others or stirred up in my own Spirit to visit the sick, or any afflicted person, to have my thoughts on Matthew 25:36 or James 1:27; when any poor people come to me for relief, or any object of charity is presented to me, to eye Galatians 6:10 or Hebrews 13:16. or Isaiah 58:10. or Ecclesiastes 11:1 or Proverbs 19:17; when a poor man comes to borrow, Deuteronomy 15:7-8. 10; when to write letters, take a journey, or be any ways employed for others, Galatians 5:13 & Philippians 2:4; when to visit out of courtesy, or do anything which courtesy requires, 1 Peter 3:8; when to instruct my servants and children, Deuteronomy 6:7 & Genesis 18:19; when to catechise the youth that come to my family, John 21:15 & Proverbs 22:6; when invited to exercise abroad among poor or rich, Isaiah 32:20; when to administer a reproof, Leviticus 19:17; when to confer about spiritual things, Malachi 3:17.

Excerpted from: Presvyteros diplēs timēs axios, or, The true dignity of St. Paul's elder exemplified in the life of Mr. Owen Stockton