A53721:104
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.
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.
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 wrastling 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 wayes of rebuke, or perswasion, 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 caling 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.
Seventhly, Sins that bring scandal, seldom suffer the soul to escape depths. Even in great sins, God in chastening takes more notice oft-times of the scandal, than the sin: as 2 Sam. 12. 14. Many professors take little notice of their worldliness, their pride, their passion, their lavish tongues; but the world doth, and the Gospel is disadvantaged by it; and no wonder if themselves find from the hand of the Lord, the bitter fruits of them in the issue.