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Mortification (1)

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Mortification (2)

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is a term generally applied, in theological parlance, to certain voluntary inflictions of pain or acts of self-denial, which are supposed by those that employ them to have a meritorious efficacy, or at least a salutary moral influence on the sufferer. Wherever these austerities have been practiced, it is easy to trace erroneous views of Christian truth. This is apparent in the system of monkery and asceticism which at so early a period overspread the Church. Every religion of man's devising, or mixed and modified by man's corruptions, will be found to place religious excellence more in self- inflicted sufferings than in moral duties; to prize more that mortification which consists in voluntary endurance of pain and privation than that which consists in the habitual subjugation of sinful passions. It will ordinarily be found that the prevalence in any religion of general laxity of morals and of severe austerities will keep pace with each other. The greater the merit attached to self-inflicted sufferings by certain devotees, the greater will be the indulgence for neglect of moral duties; and the stricter the requirement of fasts and mortifications at certain seasons, according to prescribed regulations, the less the general restraint at other times. The religion of Christ inculcates habitual self-control, a readiness and firmness in the discharge of each appointed duty, however painful; which is a self-denial more difficult to the natural man than even habitual austerities. The mortification of sin in believers is a duty enjoined in the sacred Scriptures (Romans 8:13 : "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die [μέλλετε ἀποθνήσκειν ]; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify [θανατοῦτε ] the deeds of the body, ye shall live;" Colossians 3:5 : "Mortify [νεκρώσατε ] therefore your members which are upon the earth"). It consists in breaking the league with sin, declaration of open hostility against it, and strong resistance to it (Ephesians 6:10, etc.; Galatians 5:24; Romans 8:13). The means to be used in this work' are not macerating the body, seclusion from society, or our own resolutions; but the Holy Spirit is the chief agent (Romans 8:13), while faith, prayer, and dependence are subordinate means to this end. The evidences of mortification are not the cessation from one sin, for that may be only exchanged for another, or it may be renounced because it is a gross sin, or there may not be an occasion to practice it; but if sin be mortified, we shall not yield to temptation; our minds will be more spiritual; we shall find more happiness in spiritual services, and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. See Owen On the Mortification of Sin, and on the Holy Spirit, chapter 8, book 4; Charnock's Works, 2:1313; Bryson's Sermons on Romans 8, page 97, etc.; Farrar, Eccles. Dict. s.v. (See SELF-DENIAL).