A53721:306
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.
Men rest and content themselves in a general notion of mercy, which will not be advantageous to their souls; freed they would be from punishment, but what it is to be forgiven they enquire not. So what they know of it, they come easily by, but will find in the issue, it will stand them in little stead. But these fountains of Gods actings, are revealed that they may be the fountains of our comforts.
Men rest and content themselves in a general notion of mercy, which will not be advantagious to their souls; freed they would be from punishment, but what it is to be forgiven they enquire not. So what they know of it, they come easily by, but will find in the issue, it will stand them in little stead. But these fountains of Gods actings, are revealed that they may be the fountains of our comforts.
Now of this purpose of Gods Grace, there are several Acts, all of them relating unto Gospel forgiveness.
First, There is his purpose of sending his Son to be the great means of procuring, of purchasing forgiveness. Though God be infinitely and incomprehensibly gracious, though he purpose to exert his Grace and Goodness toward sinners, yet he will so do it, do it in such a way, as shall not be prejudicial to his own Holiness and Righteousness. His Justice must be satisfied, and his holy indignation against sin made known. Wherefore he purposeth to send his Son, and hath sent him, to make way for the exercise of Mercy; so as no way to eclipse the glory of his Justice, Holiness, and hatred of sin. Better we should all eternally come short of forgiveness, than that God should lose any thing of his glory. This we have, Rom. 3. 25. God set him forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past. The Remission of sins is the thing aimed at; but this must be so brought about, as that therein, not only the mercy, but the Righteousness of God may be declared; and therefore must it be brought forth by a propitiation, or making of an Atonement, in the blood of Christ. So