A53721:321
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.
This also adds to the mysterious depths of forgiveness; and makes its discovery a great matter. The soul that looks after it in earnest, must consider what it cost. How light do most men make of pardon? What an easy thing is it to be acquainted with it? and no very hard matter to obtain it. But to hold Communion with God, in the blood of his Son, is a thing of another nature than is once dreamed of by many, who think they know well enough what it is to be pardoned. God be merciful is a common saying; and as common, to desire he would be so for Christs sake. Poor Creatures are cast into the mould of such expressions, who know neither God, nor Mercy, nor Christ, nor any thing of the mystery of the Gospel. Others look on the outside of the Cross; to see into the mystery of the Love of the Father, working in the blood of the Mediator, to consider by faith the great transaction of Divine Wisdom, Justice and Mercy therein, how few attain unto it? To come unto God, by Christ for forgiveness, and therein to behold the Law issuing all its threats and curses in his blood, and loosing its sting, putting an end to its obligation unto punishment in the Cross, to see all sins gathered up in the hand of Gods Justice, and made to meet on the Mediator; and eternal love springing forth triumphantly from his blood, flourishing into Pardon, Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness, this the heart of a sinner can be enlarged unto only by the Spirit of God.
This also adds to the mysterious depths of forgiveness; and makes its discovery a great matter. The soul that looks after it in earnest, must consider what it cost. How light do most men make of pardon? What an easie thing is it to be acquainted with it? and no very hard matter to obtain it. But to hold Communion with God, in the blood of his Son, is a thing of another nature than is once dreamed of by many, who think they know well enough what it is to be pardoned. God be merciful is a common saying; and as common, to desire he would be so for Christs sake. Poor Creatures are cast into the mould of such expressions, who know neither God, nor Mercy, nor Christ, nor any thing of the mysterie of the Gospel. Others look on the outside of the Cross; to see into the mysterie of the Love of the Father, working in the blood of the Mediator, to consider by faith the great transaction of Divine Wisdom, Justice and Mercy therein, how few attain unto it? To come unto God, by Christ for forgiveness, and therein to behold the Law issuing all its threats and curses in his blood, and loosing its sting, putting an end to its obligation unto punishment in the Cross, to see all sins gathered up in the hand of Gods Justice, and made to meet on the Mediator; and eternal love springing forth triumphantly from his blood, flourishing into Pardon, Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness, this the heart of a sinner can be enlarged unto only by the Spirit of God.