A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

Now the grounds of the difficulty intimated, consist partly in the hinderances, that lye in the way of this discovery; and partly in the nature of the thing it self, that is discovered; of both which I shall briefly treat.

But here before I proceed, somewhat must be premised to show what it is, that I particularly intend by a discovery of forgiveness. It may then be considered two ways; First, For a doctrinal, objective discovery of it in its truth; 2. An experimental subjective discovery of it in its power. In the first sense, forgiveness in God, hath been discovered ever since the giving out of the first Promise: God revealed it in a word of Promise, or it could never have been known, as shall be afterwards declared. In this sense after many lesser degrees and advancements of the light of it, it was fully and gloriously brought forth by the Lord Jesus Christ in his own Person; and is now revealed, and preached in the Gospel, and by them to whom the Word of Reconciliation is committed. And to declare this is the principal work of the Ministers of the Gospel. Herein lye those unsearchable Treasures and Riches of Christ, which the Apostle esteemed as his chiefest Honour and Privilege that he was entrusted with the declaration and dispensation of, Ephes. 3. 8, 9. I know by many it is despised, by many traduced, whose Ignorance and blindness is to be lamented. But the day is coming which will manifest every mans work of what sort it is. In the latter sense how it is made by faith in the soul, shall in its proper place be further opened and made known. Here many men mistake, and deceive themselves. Because it is so in the Book, they think it is so in them also. Because they have been taught it, they think they believe it. But it is not so; They have not heard this voice of God at any time, nor seen his shape; it hath not been revealed unto ⟨p. 80⟩them in its power; to have this done is a great work: For,

But here before I proceed, somewhat must be premised to shew what it is, that I particularly intend by a discovery of forgiveness. It may then be considered two wayes; First, For a doctrinal, objective discovery of it in its truth; 2. An experimental subjective discovery of it in its power. In the first sense, forgiveness in God, hath been discovered ever since the giving out of the first Promise: God revealed it in a word of Promise, or it could never have been known, as shall be afterwards declared. In this sense after many lesser degrees and advancements of the light of it, it was fully and gloriously brought forth by the Lord Jesus Christ in his own Person; and is now revealed, and preached in the Gospel, and by them to whom the Word of Reconciliation is committed. And to declare this is the principal work of the Ministers of the Gospel. Herein lye those unsearchable Treasures and Riches of Christ, which the Apostle esteemed as his chiefest Honour and Priviledge that he was intrusted with the declaration and dispensation of,