A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

¹Several things there are that sinners are apt to apply themselves unto for relief in their perplexities, which prove unto them as waters that fail. How many, things have the Romanists invented to deceive souls withal? Saints, and Angels, the Blessed Virgin, Wood of the Cross, Confessions, Rennances, Masses, Pilgrimages, Dirges, Purgatories, Papal Pardons, Works of Compensation, and the like, are made entrances for innumerable souls into everlasting ruin. Did they know the terror of the Lord, the nature of Sin, and of the mediation of Christ, they would be ashamed and confounded in themselves for these abominations; they would not say unto these their Idols, ye are our Gods, come and save us. How short do all their contrivances come of his, that would fain be offering Rivers of Oil, yea, the fruit of his body for the sin of his soul, his first born for his transgression, Mich. 6. 7. Who yet gains nothing, but an Aggravation of his sin and misery thereby: Yea, the Heathen went beyond them in devotion and expense. It is no new enquiry what course sin perplexed souls should take for relief. From the foundation of the world, the minds of far the greatest part of mankind, have been exercised in it. As was there light or darkness, such was the course they took; Among those who were ignorant of God, this Enquiry brought forth all that Diabolical Superstition which spread it self over the face of the whole world. Gentilism being destroyed by the power and Efficacy of the Gospel, the same enquiry working in the minds of darkened men in conjunction with other lusts, brought forth the Papacy. When men had lost a spiritual acquaintance with the Covenant of Grace, and Mystery of the Gospel, the design of eternal love, the efficacy of the blood of Christ, they betook themselves in part, or in whole for relief under their entanglements, unto the broken Cisterns mentioned. They are of two sorts: Self, and other things. For those other things, which belong unto their false Worship, being abominated by all the Saints of God, I shall not need to make any farther mention of them. That which relates unto self, is not confined unto Popery, but extends it self to the limits of Humane Nature, and is predominate in all that are under the Law; that is, to seek for relief ⟨p. 33⟩in sin distresses by self-endeavours, self-righteousness.

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