A53721:460
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.
5. If this Patience of God hath any other Intention towards any, any other effect upon some, upon any, that is to be reckoned the principal End of it, and for the sake whereof it is evidently extended unto some others consequentially unto all. For those concerning whom God hath an especial design in his patience, being to be brought forth in the world after the ordinary way of mankind, and that in all Ages during the continuance of the world from the beginning unto the end thereof, the patience which is extended unto them must also of necessity reach unto all, in that variety wherein God is pleased to exercise it. The whole world therefore is continued under the patience of God, and the fruits of it, for the sake of some that are in it.
5. If this Patience of God hath any other Intention towards any, any other effect upon some, upon any, that is to be reckoned the principal End of it, and for the sake whereof it is evidently extended unto some others consiquentially unto all. For those concerning whom God hath an especial design in his patience, being to be brought forth in the world after the ordinary way of mankind, and that in all Ages during the continuance of the world from the beginning unto the end thereof, the patience which is extended unto them must also of necessity reach unto all, in that variety wherein God is pleased to exercise it. The whole world therefore is continued under the patience of God, and the fruits of it, for the sake of some that are in it.
6. Let us therefore see what is the End of this Patience, and what it teacheth us. Now it can have no end possible but only that before rejected, unless there be forgiveness of sins with God. Unless God be ready and willing to forgive the sins of them that come to him according unto his appointment, his patience is merely subservient unto a design of wrath, anger, severity and a Resolution to destroy. Now this is an abomination once ⟨p. 160⟩to suppose, and would reflect unspeakable dishonour upon the Holy God. Let a Man but deal thus, and it is a token of as evil an habit of mind, and perverse, as any can befall him. Let him bear with these that are in his power in their faults, for no other end, or with no other design, but that he may take advantage to bring a greater punishment and revenge upon them, and what more vile affection, what more wretched corruption of heart and mind, can he manifest? and shall we think that this is the whole design of the Patience of God? God forbid.