Quotes by John Owen

Seek holiness rather than consolation.

— John Owen

Wisdom

A man may beat down the bitter fruit from an evil tree until he is weary; whilst the root abides in strength and vigor, the beating down the present fruit will not hinder it from bringing forth more.

— John Owen

Courage

Selfishness is the making a man's self his own centre, the beginning and end of all he doeth.

— John Owen

Wisdom

He that hath slight thoughts of sin, never had great thoughts of God.

— John Owen

Wisdom

A believer is far more apt to be burdened with a sense of sin, and to feel the fear of it in his own character than an unbeliever; because if we are carried along the stream we fear nothing, and it is only when we strive against it, that its progress and power are discernible.

— John Owen

Courage

Chastising is an effect of love. It is not only consequential to, but springs from it; wherefore there is nothing properly penal in the chastisement of believers. Punishment proceeds from love to justice, not from love to the person punished; but chastisement is from love to the person chastised, though mixed with displeasure against sin.

— John Owen

Love