A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

Secondly, The first Apprehension ariseth without any trial upon enquiry in the Consciences of them in whom it is. They have not by the power of their convictions, and distresses of Conscience, been put to make enquiry whether this thing be so or no. It is not a persuasion that they have arrived unto, in a way of seeking satisfaction to their own souls. It is not the result of a deep enquiry after peace and rest. It is antecedent unto Trial and Experience, and so is not Faith, but Opinion. For although Faith be not Experience, yet it is inseparable from it, as is every practical habit. Distresses in their consciences have been prevented by this Opinion, not removed. The reason why the most of men are not troubled about their sins to any purpose, is from a persuasion that God is merciful and will pardon; when indeed none can really, on a Gospel account, ordinarily, have that persuasion, but those who have been troubled for sin, and that to the purpose. So is it with them that make this discovery by faith. They have had conflicts in their own spirits, and being deprived of peace, have accomplished a diligent search, whether forgiveness were to be obtained or no. The persuasion they have of it, be it more or less, is the issue of a trial they have had in their own souls, of an enquiry how things stood between God and them, as to peace, and acceptation of their Persons. This is a vast difference; the one sort might possibly have had trouble in their consciences about sin, had it not been for their Opinion of forgiveness; this hath prevented, or stifled their convictions, not healed their wounds, which is the work of the Gospel; but kept them from being wounded which is the work of security. Yea, here lies the ruin of the most of them who perish under the preaching of the Gospel. They have received the general notion of pardon; it floats in their ⟨p. 91⟩minds, and presently presents it self to their relief, on all occasions. Doth God at any time, in the dispensation of the Word, under an Affliction, upon some great sin against their ruling light begin to deal with their consciences; before their conviction can ripen, or come to any perfection, before it draw nigh to its perfect work, they choke it, and heal their consciences with this notion of pardon. Many a man between the Assembly, and his dwelling house is thus cured.

Secondly, The first Apprehension ariseth without any tryal upon enquiry in the Consciences of them in whom it is. They have not by the power of their convictions, and distresses of Conscience, been put to make enquiry whether this thing be so or no. It is not a perswasion that they have arrived unto, in a way of seeking satisfaction to their own souls. It is not the result of a deep enquiry after peace and rest. It is antecedent unto Tryal and Experience, and so is not Faith, but Opinion. For although Faith be not Experience, yet it is inseparable from it, as is every practical habit. Distresses in their consciences have been prevented by this Opinion, not removed. The reason why the most of men are not troubled about their sins to any purpose, is from a persuasion that God is merciful and will pardon; when indeed none can really, on a Gospel account, ordinarily, have that perswasion, but those who have been troubled for sin, and that to the purpose. So is it with them that make this discovery by faith. They have had conflicts in their own spirits, and being deprived of peace, have accomplished a diligent search, whether forgiveness were to be obtained or no. The perswasion they have of it, be it more or less, is the issue of a tryal they have had in their own souls, of an enquiry how things stood between God and them, as to peace, and acceptation of their Persons. This is a vast difference; the one sort might possibly have had trouble in their consciences about sin, had it not been for their Opinion of forgiveness; this hath prevented, or stifled their convictions, not healed their wounds, which is the work of the Gospel; but kept them from being wounded which is the work of security. Yea, here lyes the ruine of the most of them who perish under the preaching of the Gospel. They have received the general notion of pardon; it floats in their