A Treatise of the Dominion of Sin and Grace

WHEREIN SIN'S REIGN IS DISCOVERED, IN WHOM IT IS, AND IN WHOM IT IS NOT; HOW THE LAW SUPPORTS IT; HOW GRACE DELIVERS FROM IT, BY SETTING UP ITS DOMINION IN THE HEART.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.—Rom. 6:14.

IT appears that the following treatise was published by the widow of Owen, five years after his death; and we learn, from the preface which Isaae Chauncy prefixed to it, that the author had left it ready for the press. The most important part of it relates to the evidence by which we ascertain whether or not sin holds dominion over the heart. In the description and sifting of this evidence, the author manifests all his singular powers of spiritual analysis and discrimination.

ANALYSIS

"A Treatise of the Dominion of Sin and Grace" by John Owen, presented in an updated version with modern English, provides an illuminating exploration of the profound struggle between sin and grace within the Christian life. Owen masterfully discusses the reality of sin's presence even in believers, while also offering the reassuring promise that it shall not have dominion over those who live under the grace of the Gospel.

Owen starts by delineating the pervasive aim of sin to establish dominion in all individuals, differentiating between its complete sway in non-believers and its attempt to regain control in believers. He insightfully delves into the nature of sin's dominion, emphasizing that it is not a force against the will but rather integrates into the will's fabric, thereby corrupting the soul from within. Such domination by sin implies a lack of submission to the superior rule of God's grace and an unawareness of sin's deceitful and destructive goals.

Through Owen's discourse, we're led to understand that the determination of sin's dominion in a person is multifaceted, influenced by various factors including the mind's imaginations and the influence of prevalent temptations. However, Owen provides a nuanced perspective by highlighting situations where apparent signs of sin's rule might not actually signify its dominion, such as when sin's effects become burdensome to the soul, indicating an active resistance propelled by grace.

A central theme of Owen's treatise is the assertion from Romans 6:14, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." This promise forms the backbone of Owen's encouragement to believers, assuring them that, despite the ongoing battle with sin, the decisive victory belongs to grace. This assurance is founded on the transformative power of grace, which not only pardons but also delivers, setting up a new principle of life that counters sin's influence.

Owen's work is a compelling call to vigilance and perseverance in the Christian walk. It exhorts believers to recognize the subtle ways sin seeks to establish control and to rely on the triumphant power of grace that liberates and empowers them to live in obedience to God. Through rigorous self-examination and a steadfast clinging to the promises of the Gospel, believers are encouraged to experience the true freedom and joy that comes from being under grace, not law.

In sum, "A Treatise of the Dominion of Sin and Grace" serves as a beacon of hope and guidance for those navigating the complexities of sin and grace. Owen's profound insights offer not only an in-depth understanding of the Christian's internal battle but also the keys to victory through the supremacy of grace. This work stands as a timeless treasure, urging believers towards a deeper reliance on the grace that assures us, sin shall not have the last word.