John Owen opened chapter sixteen of Indwelling Sin with an observation that in previous chapters, he had been considering the power of indwelling sin as it remained among believers. While he could not directly prove the strength of sin from the power it had in believers of whom it is only checked and not at all weakened, he thought he could caution them of the real power “of that mortal enemy.” Having demonstrated the effects of sin on believers, he now intended to show the power it has among unbelievers.
Using an analogy of the plague, Owen said if the plague was destroying multitudes in one city, but not reaching the same intensity in another, a person could show the inhabitants of the second city the force and danger of the infection among them “who have not the benefit of the preventives and preservatives which they enjoy.” This could teach both cities to value the preventive means and be more watchful against the infection that is amongst them. So it is with sin.
Believers may be taught what is the power and efficacy of that plague of sin which is in and among them, by the effects the same plague produces in and among others, who have not those corrections of its poison, and those preservatives from death, which the Lord Jesus has furnished them with.
Here Owen (1616-1683) used the horror of the plague or “black death” to metaphorically illustrate the power of sin. The Black Death or Plague was a bubonic plague pandemic from 1346 to 1353, killing an estimated 50 million people, perhaps 50% of Europe’s 14th-century population. There continued to be epidemics of black death throughout the Late Middle Ages; and sporadic outbreaks of black death recurred around the world until the early 19th century. The European population didn’t regain its 14th level until the 16th century. The metaphor would have been a powerful one to use with his original audience.
He said he could not handle the whole power of sin in unregenerate persons, which was “a very large field,” and not the topic he was addressing. But he would examine a few of its effects to illustrate to believers what they have to deal with. He began by noting the violence of indwelling sin, compelling even unbelievers to sinful actions that are “fully contrary to the principles of the reasonable nature” they were endowed with from God. This reasonable nature was a “law of operation” implanted in every person God created.
All humans have this law of operation cocreated within them. The first way is one they have in common with other creatures. For example, they nourish their young; and live quietly with those of the same kind. And they seek to follow after what is good for them in the state they were created. “These are things which all brute living creatures have in the law of their nature, as man also has.”
Yet there are additional things created in humans (but not in other creatures) to give glory to God by rational and moral obedience, and “so obtain a reward in the enjoyment of him.” They are: to love God above all; to seek the enjoyment of Him as our chief end; to inquire after His mind and will; and to yield in obedience. All these things are part of the law of human nature.
But these things can never be thought of as in other creatures, where they perform the actions as if they were merely the law of human nature. But rather, they are the law of our dependence upon God. And doing them in obedience to Him passes them on to Him also. We can never be considered as mere creatures, but as a creature made for the glory of God, by rational moral obedience. Rational because we were chosen by Him and made with reason. Moral, because we are regulated by a law to which reason listens.
For instance, it is common with humans and other creatures to care for and nurture the young and helpless ones. This is implanted in the principles of human nature as it is with other living creatures. But in humans, it is not enough to just respond to the impulse and inclination of our nature. We must do it also in subjection to God, and do it to His glory.
That then, which would drive and compel anyone to transgress this law of their nature, to cast off what lies within them, their fundamental dependence on God, as a creature made to give Him obedience, “must needs be esteemed of great force and efficacy.” This is frequently done by indwelling sin in unbelievers. Let’s look at a few examples. First, there is the care for and preserving of and nourishing of our young. Many brute creatures will die for their young; will deprive themselves of food; will act on their behalf “to the utmost of their power.”
Such is the power and force of indwelling sin, that there is in humans an infection that other creatures know nothing of. “That in many it prevails to stop this fountain, to beat back the stream of natural affections, to root up the principles of the law of nature, and to drive them to a neglect, a destruction of the fruit of their own loins.” The Romans, in order to spare the trouble of educating their children, and to be free to satisfy their lusts, “destroyed their children from the womb.” So far did the strength of sin prevail to obliterate the law of nature, and repel the force and power of it.
In an aside, I think this illustration by Owen of the Romans destroying their children from the womb has some personal significance to him, as ten of his eleven children died in infancy and the one surviving daughter died of consumption as an adult.
Owen said examples of this nature were common in all nations and cultures. Indwelling sin has turned the strong current of nature; it darkened all the light of God in the soul. It controlled all natural principles that were influenced with the power of the command and will of God. Humans have not only killed, but sacrificed their children to satisfy their lusts. In a word, all the filth and uncleanness, all the enmity to God and His ways in the world “is growing from this root alone.”
For the present it may suffice to intimate, that they took their children and burnt them to ashes in a slow fire: the wicked priests that assisted in the sacrifice affording them this relief, that they made a noise and clamour, that the vile wretches might not hear the woful moans and cries of the poor dying tormented infants. I suppose in this case we need no further evidence.
The like may be spoken of all other sins against the prime dictates of the law of nature, that mankind is, or has been stained and defamed withal. Murder of parents and children, of wives and husbands, sodomy, incest, and the like enormities; in all which sin prevails in men against the whole law of their being and dependence upon God.
Indwelling sin can even incapacitate and hinder people from believing. “Blindness of mind, stubbornness of the will, sensuality of the affections, all concur to keep poor perishing souls at a distance from Christ.” They are made blind by sin and cannot see His excellencies. They are obstinate, and will not grasp His righteousness. They are senseless, and take no notice of their eternal concerns.
Many people are not truly converted, although they are “much wrought upon by the word.” They separate themselves from idolatry and false worship, professing the truth, and they escape the defilements of the world, but are entangled again through the lusts of the flesh (2 Peter 2:20; James 1:14-15). Peter said their condition is far worse than if they had never known the way of righteousness. “They choose to have no more to do with God; and God swears that they shall never enter into his rest.”
In conclusion, Owen said he mentioned these things not to fully capture the power of indwelling sin in unbelievers, but only to give a few instances. If his readers wanted a more complete understanding, they need only to open their eyes, “to take a little view of that wickedness which reigns, yea, rages all the world over.”
Owen described in this chapter more explicitly what Paul said in the first chapter of Romans. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them” (Romans 1:19). His invisible attributes, such as His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived since the creation of the world, “in the things that were made.” In other words in general revelation. But we suppressed that truth.
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen (Romans 1:24-25).
