The lingering sin

The greatest Christian writers are those who most powerfully project to their spiritual readers the knowledge of God, of ourselves, and of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Among these are Augustine, Calvin, Edwards, and the Puritan John Owen, who should be better known than he is. Full of classic devotional theology like John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, it needs to be read again and again to properly appropriate its teachings. In this treatise by Owen, we have a lifelong companion. J. I. PACKER Professor of Theology, Regent College

Owen is extraordinary. Owen is simply extraordinary. He is in a different category, as Packer says, along with Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and Edwards—that very unusual class of pastors and thinkers who are among the top ten in history. John Owen knows the soul, knows Christ, and knows how to commune with Christ as very few do. JOHN PIPER Founder of “Desiring God” ministry, and author of many books

Sin is tenacious, but by the grace of God, we can hate it and hunt it down. John Owen provides us with a master guide to hunting sin. The substance of this book is useful for our spiritual training and love for souls. MARK DEVER Senior Pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.

When you hold a volume by Owen in your hands, you wonder, "Why have I spent so much time reading lesser quality things?" This is true, and as Dr. John Duncan once said, "If you're going to read this, you have to prepare yourself for the knife." But that knife is the scalpel of one of the most excellent spiritual surgeons of the soul in the history of the Church. Owen understood, as very few have, how the gospel completely renews us. SINCLAIR FERGUSON Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, S.C.

Owen’s three treatises on sin, mortification, and temptation are an invaluable treasure. To read them is to extract pure gold of spiritual wealth. However, just as in the search for gold, reading John Owen has been hard work. Anyone who desires to grow in personal holiness will greatly benefit from reading this book. JERRY BRIDGES Navigators Community Ministries Group

The author's pen is certainly a scalpel that delves into its subject and uncovers this plague of the heart. Like a workman who has nothing to be ashamed of, he demonstrates his point of view from the inerrant Word of God and the recognized experience of Christians. Like a compassionate and skillful physician, he constantly prescribes the appropriate antidote. Moreover, he shows how the poison can be rendered ineffective by divine grace and handled by the vigilant patient in such a way that it becomes medicinal, healthy, and conducive to the most beneficial purposes. JAMES HERVEY (1714-1758) English clergyman and Calvinist Methodist, famous author of "Theron and Aspasio"