“Wherefore, there are two things hard and difficult in this case:—
“1. To convince those in whom sin evidently has the dominion that such indeed is their state and condition.
“They will with their utmost endeavor keep off the conviction hereof. Some justify themselves, some excuse themselves, and some will make no inquiry into this matter.
“It is a rare thing, especially of late, to have any brought under this conviction by the preaching of the word, though it be the case of multitudes that attend unto it.
“2. To satisfy some that sin has not the dominion over them, notwithstanding its restless acting itself in them and warring against their souls;
“yet unless this can be done, it is impossible they should enjoy solid peace and comfort in this life.
“And the concernment of the best of believers, while they are in this world, does lie herein; for as they grow in light, spirituality, experience, freedom of mind and humility, the more they love to know of the deceit, activity, and power of the remainders of sin.
“And although it works not at all, at least not sensibly, in them, towards those sins wherein it reigns and rages in others,
“yet they are able to discern its more subtile, inward, and spiritual actings in the mind and heart, to the weakening of grace, the obstructing of its effectual operations in holy duties, with many indispositions unto stability in the life of God; which fills them with trouble.”
— John Owen
Sinclair Ferguson’s paraphrase: “There are actually only two pastoral problems you will ever encounter.
“The first is this: persuading those who are under the dominion of sin that they are under the dominion of sin. That’s the task of evangelism.
“And [second], persuading those who are no longer under the dominion of sin that they are no longer under the dominion of sin because they are Christ’s.”
— Sinclair Ferguson