A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

Immunity from Punishment is the utmost that lies in the aims and desires of most, and is all that they are exercised in the consideration of, when they deal with God about sin. Such men think and will do so, that we have an easy task in hand; namely, to prove that there is forgiveness in God; but this ease lies in their own ignorance and darkness; If ever they come to search after it indeed, to enquire into the Nature, Reasons, Causes, fountain and springs of it, they will be able to give another account of these things. Christ is the centre of the mystery of the Gospel, and forgiveness is laid up in the heart of Christ, from the love of the Father; in him are all the Treasures of it hid. And surely it is no small thing to have the heart of Christ revealed unto us. When Believers deal about pardon, their faith exercises it self about this, that God with whom the soul hath to do, hath sent the Lord Christ to dye, for this end, that it may be freely given out. General notions of impunity they dwell not on, they pass not for: They have a closer converse with God than to be satisfied with such thoughts. They enquire into the graciousness of his Nature, and the good pleasure of his Will, the purpose of his Grace; they ponder, and look into the mystery of his Wisdom and Love in sending his Son. If these springs be not clear unto them, the streams will yield them but little refreshment. It is not enough that we seek after salvation; but we are to enquire and search diligently, into the nature and manner of it. These are the things that the Angels desire to bow down and look into, 1 Pet. 1. 11, 12, 13. And some think, if they have got a form of words about them, they have gotten a sufficient comprehension of them. It is doubtless one Reason why many who truly believe, do yet so fluctuate about forgiveness all their days; that they never exercised saith to look into the springs of it, its eternal fountains; but have merely dwelt on actual condonation. However, I say, these things lye utterly out of the consideration, of the common pretenders to an acquaintance with the truth we have in hand.

Immunity from Punishment is the utmost that lyes in the aims and desires of most, and is all that they are exercised in the consideration of, when they deal with God about sin. Such men think and will do so, that we have an easie task in hand; namely, to prove that there is forgiveness in God; but this ease lyes in their own ignorance and darkness; If ever they come to search after it indeed, to enquire into the Nature, Reasons, Causes, fountain and springs of it, they will be able to give another account of these things. Christ is the center of the mysterie of the Gospel, and forgiveness is laid up in the heart of Christ, from the love of the Father; in him are all the Treasures of it hid. And surely it is no small thing to have the heart of Christ revealed unto us. When Believers deal about pardon, their faith exercises it self about this, that God with whom the soul hath to do, hath sent the Lord Christ to dye, for this end, that it may be freely given out. General notions of impunity they dwell not on, they pass not for: They have a closer converse with God than to be satisfied with such thoughts. They enquire into the graciousness of his Nature, and the good pleasure of his Will, the purpose of his Grace; they ponder, and look into the mysterie of his Wisdom and Love in sending his Son. If these springs be not clear unto them, the streams will yield them but little refreshment. It is not enough that we seek after salvation; but we are to enquire and search diligently, into the nature and manner of it. These are the things that the Angels desire to bow down and look into,