A53721:384
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.
2. The work we are carrying on, is the rising of a sin entangled soul out of its depths, and this we have spoken unto, is that which must give him his first relief. Commonly when souls are in distress, that which they look after is Consolation. What is it that they intend thereby? that they may have Assurance that their sins are forgiven them, and so be freed from their present perplexities. What is the issue? Some of them ⟨p. 130⟩continue complaining all their days, and never come to Rest or Peace; so far do they fall short of Consolation and Joy. And some are utterly discouraged from attempting any progress in the ways of God. What is the Reason hereof? Is it not, that they would fain be finishing their building, when they have not laid the foundation. They have not yet made through work in believing forgiveness with God, and they would immediately be at Assurance in themselves. Now God delights not in such a frame of Spirit; for,
2. The work we are carrying on, is the rising of a sin entangled soul out of its depths, and this we have spoken unto, is that which must give him his first relief. Commonly when souls are in distress, that which they look after is Consolation. What is it that they intend thereby? that they may have Assurance that their sins are forgiven them, and so be freed from their present perplexities. What is the issue? Some of them ⟨p. 130⟩continue complaining all their dayes, and never come to Rest or Peace; so far do they fall short of Consolation and Joy. And some are utterly discouraged from attempting any progress in the wayes of God. What is the Reason hereof? Is it not, that they would fain be finishing their building, when they have not laid the foundation. They have not yet made through work in believing forgiveness with God, and they would immediately be at Assurance in themselves. Now God delights not in such a frame of Spirit; for,
1. It is selfish; The great design of faith is to give glory unto God,