A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

All these things in their several degrees, will this discovery of forgiveness in God, without an evidence of an especial interest therein produce. And these will assuredly maintain the spiritual life of the soul, and keep it up unto such an obedience as shall be accepted of God in Christ. Darkness, sorrow, storms, they in whom it is may meet withal, but their eternal condition is secured in the Covenant of God; their souls are bound up in the bundle of life.

From what hath been spoken, we may make some Inferences in our passage concerning the true notion of believing. For,

¹(1.) These Effects ascribed to this faith of forgiveness in God and always produced by it, make it evident that the most of them who pretend unto it, who pretend to believe that there is forgiveness with God, do indeed believe no such thing. Although I shall on set purpose afterwards evince this, yet I cannot here utterly pass it by. I shall then only demand of them who are so forward in the profession of this faith, that they think it almost impossible that any one should not believe it; what Effects it hath produced in them, and whether they have been by it enabled to the performance of the duties before mentioned? I fear with many, things on the account of their pretended faith are quite otherwise. They love sin the more for it, and God never the better; supposing that a few barren words will issue the controversy about their sins, they become insensibly to have slight thoughts of sin, and of God also. This persuasion is not of him that calls us. Poor souls, your faith is the Devils greatest Engine for your ruin; the highest contempt of God and Christ and forgiveness also, that you can be guilty of; a means to let you down quietly into Hell; the Pharisees Moses, trusted in, and will condemn you; As none is saved but by faith, so you if it were not for your faith, (as you call it) might possibly be saved. If a mans Gold prove counterfeit, his Jewels painted Glass, his Silver lead or dross, he will not only be found poor when he comes to be tried, and want the benefit of Riches, but have withal a fearful aggravation of his poverty by his disappointment and surprisal. If a mans faith which should be more precious than Gold, be found rotten and corrupt, if his light be darkness, how vile is that faith, how great is that darkness? Such it is evident will the faith of too many be found in this business.