A53721:206
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. › Verse 3 › 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.
1The soul is not to be left in the state before described. There is other work for it to apply it self unto, if it intend to come unto Rest and peace. It hath obtained an eminent advantage for the discovery of Forgiveness. But to rest in that state wherein it is, or to rest upon it, will not bring it into its harbour. Three things we discovered before in the souls first serious address unto God for deliverance; sense of sin, acknowledgement of it, and self-condemnation. Two evils there are which attend men oftentimes, when they are brought into that state. Some rest in it, and press no farther; some rest upon it, and suppose that it is all which is required of them: The Psalmist avoids both these, and notwithstanding all his pressures reacheth out towards forgiveness, as we shall see in the next verse. I shall briefly unfold these two evils, and show the necessity of their avoidance.
1The soul is not to be left in the state before described. There is other work for it to apply it self unto, if it intend to come unto Rest and peace. It hath obtained an eminent advantage for the discovery of Forgiveness. But to rest in that state wherein it is, or to rest upon it, will not bring it into its harbour. Three things we discovered before in the souls first serious address unto God for deliverance; sense of sin, acknowledgement of it, and self-condemnation. Two evils there are which attend men oftentimes, when they are brought into that state. Some rest in it, and press no farther; some rest upon it, and suppose that it is all which is required of them: The Psalmist avoids both these, and notwithstanding all his pressures reacheth out towards forgiveness, as we shall see in the next verse. I shall briefly unfold these two evils, and shew the necessity of their avoidance.
- 1Miscarriages in persons convinced of sin.
First, By resting or staying in it, I mean the souls desponding through discouraging thoughts that deliverance is not to be obtained. Being made deeply sensible of sin, it is so overwhelmed with thoughts of its own vileness and unworthiness, as to sink under the burden; Such a soul is afflicted and tossed with tempests and not comforted,