A53721:103
A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm
A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm wherein the nature of the forgiveness of sin is declared, the truth and reality of it asserted, and the case of a soul distressed with the guilt of sin and relieved by a discovery of forgiveness with God is at large discoursed / by John Owen.
London: printed by Robert White for Nathaniel Ponder, 1669
AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM CXXX. › General Scope of the whole Psalm. › Verses 1, 2 › Section
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Fifthly, Great opportunities for service neglected, and great gifts not improved, are oftentimes the occasion of plunging the soul into great depths. Gifts are given to trade withal for God. Opportunities, are the market days for that trade. To napkin up the one, and to let slip the other, will end in trouble and disconsolation. Disquietments and perplexities of heart, are worms that will certainly breed in the rust of unexercised Gifts. God looseth a revenue of glory and honour by such slothful souls; and he will make them sensible of it. I know ⟨p. 27⟩some at this day, whom omissions of opportunities for service, are ready to sink into the grave.
Fifthly, Great opportunities for service neglected, and great gifts not improved, are oftentimes the occasion of plunging the soul into great depths. Gifts are given to trade withal for God. Opportunities, are the market dayes for that trade. To napkin up the one, and to let slip the other, will end in trouble and disconsolation. Disquietments and perplexities of heart, are worms that will certainly breed in the rust of unexercised Gifts. God looseth a revenue of glory and honour by such slothful souls; and he will make them sensible of it. I know ⟨p. 27⟩some at this day, whom omissions of opportunities for service, are ready to sink into the grave.
Sixthly, Sins after especial warnings, are usually thus issued. In all that variety of special warnings which God is pleased to use towards sinning Saints, I shall single out one only. When a soul is wrestling with some Lust or Temptation, God by his Providence causeth some special word, in the Preaching of the Gospel, or the Administration of some Ordinance thereof, peculiarly suited to the state and condition of the soul, by the ways of rebuke, or persuasion, to come nigh and enter the inmost parts of the heart. The soul cannot but take notice that God is nigh to him, that he is dealing with him; and calling on him to look to him for assistance. And he seldom gives such warnings to his Saints, but that he is nigh them in an eminent manner to give them relief and help, if in answer unto his call, they apply themselves unto him; but if his care, and kindness herein be neglected, his following reproofs are usually more severe.