In this chapter Owen insists that the work of mortification must be accomplished in the power of the Spirit. He then puts forth two reasons why other attempts to mortifty sin are utterly inadequate.
Many of the ways and means they uses and inist upon for this end were never appinted of God for that purpose (Overcoming Sin and Temptation, 59).
No one ever has nor will become more holy by imposing extra-biblical standards upon themselves or others. Owen makes particular application to to certain Roman Catholic practices such as: vows, pennace, monastic life or rough garments. His point is that ascetism in and of itself does nothing to kill sin. Engaging in these practices may make a person appear more externally holy, but reveals nothing about the real dynamics occurring that persons heart. Consider the Pharisees, on the outside they looked very godly, but consistently Jesus condemned them for not dealing with the real issue.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. (Mt. 23:25)
Owen's second reason that other attempts at mortification are futile is:
Those things that are appointed of God as means are not used by them in their dure place and order- such as praying, fasting, watching, meditations, and the like (59).
Owen's argument is that some may pursue mortification even using the means that God has ordained, and yet they use the means in the wrong way. Rather then the means being viewed as streams they are seen as the fountain itself. We must always bear in mind that it is possible to consistently engage in the spiritual disciplines without really being transformed by these practices. There is no intrinsic power in the act of reading the bible. For who of us at some time have not sat down to read the Scriptures and though our eyes are scanning over the page our minds is far from the text. It is not shocking that after such a time in the Word that we arise and within five minutes have completely forgotten what we read. No, practicing the disiplines alone does not mortify sin. We must not view the disiplines as an end in and of themselves, but rather as a means to an end. We need to bear in mind that we do not simply pick up the bible to check it off our spiritual duty list, but rather to receive grace from the Lord. Our goal is not simply to appear religious, but to meet with God.
How are you prone to pursue moritification apart from the work of the Spirit?