Thomas Chalmers wrote that Owen's book on spiritual-mindedness holds a distinguished rank among the voluminous writings of this celebrated author, and he gave three reasons: the force with which it applies truth to the conscience; the way Owen plumbs the depths of Christian experience as a skillful physician of the soul; and its uncovering of the secrets of the mind and heart.

That third feature is the uncomfortable one, since the effect is that the true spiritual state of the reader is discovered to him as he reads. The book began life as a series of addresses and retains their directness. Published by the Banner of Truth Trust, and best read slowly, a few pages at a time.