A53721:358
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.
The Church in the Lamentations gives a sad account of her state and condition in this matter. For she maketh that hard conclusion against her self, Chap. 3. 8. My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord. And when I cry and shout, he shuts out ⟨p. 119⟩my prayer, v. 18. So far is she from a comfortable persuasion of a particular interest in Mercy and Acceptance; that under her Pressures, and in her Temptations, she is ready positively to determine on the other side; namely, that she is rejected and cast off for ever. What course then shall she take? Shall she give over waiting on God, and say there is no hope? no saith she, I will not take that way; for v. 26. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of God. But yet there seems small encouragement for her so to do, if things be with her as was expressed; Things indeed, saith she, are very sad with me, My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is bowed down in me, v. 20. but yet, somewhat I recall to mind, and therefore have I hope, v. 21. It is of the Lords mercy that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. There is mercy and never failing compassion in God; so that though my own present condition be full of darkness, and I see no deliverance, Yet I purpose still to abide waiting on him: who knows what those infinite stores and treasures of mercy and relief that are with him, may at length afford unto me: and many instances of the like kind might be added.
The Church in the Lamentations gives a sad account of her state and condition in this matter. For she maketh that hard conclusion against her self, Chap. 3. 8. My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord. And when I cry and shout, he shuts out ⟨p. 119⟩my prayer, v. 18. So far is she from a comfortable perswasion of a particular interest in Mercy and Acceptance; that under her Pressures, and in her Temptations, she is ready positively to determine on the other side; namely, that she is rejected and cast off for ever. What course then shall she take? Shall she give over waiting on God, and say there is no hope? no saith she, I will not take that way; for v. 26. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of God. But yet there seems small encouragement for her so to do, if things be with her as was expressed; Things indeed, saith she, are very sad with me, My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is bowed down in me, v. 20. but yet, somewhat I recall to mind, and therefore have I hope, v. 21. It is of the Lords mercy that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. There is mercy and never failing compassion in God; so that though my own present condition be full of darkness, and I see no deliverance, Yet I purpose still to abide waiting on him: who knows what those infinite stores and treasures of mercy and relief that are with him, may at length afford unto me: and many instances of the like kind might be added.