A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

2. The Word of Promise doth not only express Gods nature as that wherein he proposeth himself unto the contemplation of faith, but it also declares his Will and Purpose of acting towards the soul suitable unto his own Goodness and Grace. For Promises are the declarations of Gods purpose and will to act towards Believers in Christ Jesus, according to the infinite Goodness of his own nature, and this is done in great variety according to the various conditions and wants of them that do believe. They all proceed from the same spring of Infinite Grace, but are branched into innumerable particular streams according as our necessities do require. To these do waiting souls repair for stay and encouragement. Their perplexities principally arise from their misapprehensions of what God is in himself, and of what he will be unto them; and whither should they repair to be undeceived, but unto that faithful Representation that he hath made of himself and his Will in the Word of his Grace. For no man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath revealed him, John 1. 17. Now the Gospel is nothing but the Word of Promise explained in all the Springs, Causes and Effects of it; thither must we repair to be instructed in this matter. The imaginations and reasonings of mens hearts will but deceive them in these things. The informations or instructions of other men may do so; nor have they any truth in them further than they may be resolved into the Word of Promise. Here alone they may find rest and refreshment. The soul of whom we speak, is under troubles, perplexities and distresses as to its outward condition; pressed with many straits it may be on every hand; and as to its spiritual estate under various apprehensions of the mind and will of God towards it, as hath before at large been explained; in this condition ⟨p. 400⟩it is brought in some measure unto an holy submission unto God, and a patient waiting for the issue of its trials. In this estate it hath many temptations to, and much working of unbelief. The whole of its opposition amounts to this, that it is neglected of God, that its way is hid, and his judgement is passed over from him, that it shall not be at present delivered, nor hereafter saved.

2. The Word of Promise doth not only express Gods nature as that wherein he proposeth himself unto the contemplation of faith, but it also declares his Will and Purpose of acting towards the soul suitable unto his own Goodness and Grace. For Promises are the declarations of Gods purpose and will to act towards Believers in Christ Jesus, according to the infinite Goodness of his own nature, and this is done in great variety according to the various conditions and wants of them that do believe. They all proceed from the same spring of Infinite Grace, but are branched into innumerable particular streams according as our necessities do require. To these do waiting souls repair for stay and encouragement. Their perplexities principally arise from their misapprehensions of what God is in himself, and of what he will be unto them; and whither should they repair to be undeceived, but unto that faithfull Representation that he hath made of himself and his Will in the Word of his Grace. For no man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son who is in the bosome of the Father, he hath revealed him,