A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

And thus Faith oftentimes finds a peculiar sweetness and encouragement in and from the consideration of Gods gracious nature. Sometimes this is the first thing that it fixes on, and sometimes the last that it rests in; and oft-times it makes a stay here, when it is driven from all other holds; It can say, however it be, yet God is gracious; and at least make that conclusion which we have from it, Joel 2. 13, 14. God is gracious ⟨p. 107⟩and merciful, who knoweth but he will return. And when faith hath well laid hold on this consideration, it will not easily be driven from its expectation of relief and forgiveness, even from hence.

Secondly, Sometimes the soul by saith addresseth it self in a peculiar manner to the Sovereignty of Gods Will; whereby he is gracious to whom he will be gracious, and merciful to whom he will be merciful, which as was showed, is another considerable Spring or Principle of forgiveness. This way Davids faith steered him in his great strait and perplexity, 2 Sam. 15. 25, 26. If I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again; but if he thus say, I have no delight in thee, behold here am I, let him do unto me as seemeth good unto him. That which he hath in consideration is, whether God have any delight in him or no; that is, whether God would graciously remit and pardon the great sin against which at that time he manifested his indignation. Here he lays himself down before the Sovereign Grace of God, and awaits patiently the discovery of the free Act of his Will concerning him; and at this door, as it were, enters into the consideration of those other springs of pardon, which Faith enquires after and closeth withal. This sometimes is all the cloud that appears to a distressed soul, which after a while fills the Heavens by the addition of the other considerations mentioned, and yields plentifully refreshing showers. And this condition is a sin entangled soul oft-times reduced unto in looking out for relief; It can discover nothing but this, that God is able, and can if he graciously please relieve and acquit him. All other supportments, all springs of relief are shut up, or hid from him. The springs indeed may be nigh, as that was to Hagar, but their eyes are withheld, that they cannot see them. Wherefore they cast themselves on Gods Sovereign pleasure, and say with Job, though he slay us, we will put our trust in him, we will not let him go. In our selves we are lost, that is, unquestionable; how the Lord will deal with us we know not; we see not our signs and tokens any more; evidences of Gods Grace in us, or of his Love and favour unto us, are all out of sight. To a present special interest in Christ we are strangers;