A53721:301
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 4 › 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.
I have showed before, that nothing but forgiveness, or that which influenceth it, and encourageth to an Expectation of it, is of any use unto a sinner, much more one in so great distress upon the account of sin: yet is such an one here sent only to the NAME of the Lord, wherein his gracious heart and nature is revealed; That then is the very Fountain and Spring of forgiveness. And this is that which John would work a sense of upon our souls, where he tells us, that God is Love, 1 Ep. Chap. 4. 8. or one, of an infinitely Gracious, Tender, Good, Compassionate, Loving Nature. Infinite Goodness and Grace is the soil wherein forgiveness grows. It is impossible this flower should spring from any other root. Unless this be revealed to the soul, forgiveness is not revealed. To consider pardon merely as it is terminated on our selves, not as it flows from God; will bring neither profit to us, nor Glory to God.
I have shewed before, that nothing but forgiveness, or that which influenceth it, and encourageth to an Expectation of it, is of any use unto a sinner, much more one in so great distress upon the account of sin: yet is such an one here sent only to the NAME of the Lord, wherein his gracious heart and nature is revealed; That then is the very Fountain and Spring of forgiveness. And this is that which John would work a sense of upon our souls, where he tells us, that God is Love, 1 Ep. Chap. 4. 8. or one, of an infinitely Gracious, Tender, Good, Compassionate, Loving Nature. Infinite Goodness and Grace is the soyl wherein forgiveness grows. It is impossible this flower should spring from any other root. Unless this be revealed to the soul, forgiveness is not revealed. To consider pardon meerly as it is terminated on our selves, not as it flows from God; will bring neither profit to us, nor Glory to God.
And this also (which is our design in hand) will make it appear, That this discovery of forgiveness whereof we speak, is indeed no common thing, is a great discovery. Let men come with a sense of the guilt of sin, to have deep and serious thoughts of God, they will find it no such easy and light matter, to have their hearts truly and throughly apprehensive of this loving and gracious nature of God, in reference unto pardon. ⟨p. 97⟩