A53721:472
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.
1VI. The faith and experience of the Saints in this world, give in testimony unto this truth; and we know that their Record in this matter is true. Let us then ask of them what they believe, what they have found, what they have Experience of, as to the forgiveness of sin. This God himself directs and leads us unto, by appealing unto our own experience, whence he shows us that we may take relief and supportment in our distresses, Isa. 40. 28. Hast thou not heard; hast not thou known? Hast not thou thy self, who now criest out that thou art lost and undone, because God hath forsaken thee, sound and known by experience the contrary from his former dealings with thee? And if our own Experiences may confirm us against the workings of our unbelief, so may those of others also. And this is that which Eliphas directs Job unto, Chap. 6. 1. Call now if there be any that will answer thee, and to which of the Saints wilt thou look. It is not a supplication to them for help, that is intended, but an enquiry after the Experience in the case in hand, wherein he wrongfully thought they could not justify Job. [Greek or Hebrew] to which of the Saints, on the right hand or left, wilt thou have regard in this matter? Some would foolishly hence seek to confirm the Invocation of the Saints departed; when indeed if they were intended, it is rather forbidden and discountenanced ⟨p. 164⟩than directed unto. But the [Greek or Hebrew] here, are the [Greek or Hebrew] Psal. 16. 2. The Saints that are in the Earth whose experiences Job is directed to enquire into and after. David makes it a great encouragement unto waiting upon God, as a God hearing prayers, that others had done so and found success, Psal. 34. 6. This poor man cried unto the Lord, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of his troubles. If he did so, and had that blessed Issue, why should not we do so also? The experiences of one, are often proposed for the confirmation and establishment of others: so the same David, Come saith he, and hear all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. He contents not himself to mind them of the Word, Promises, and Providence of God, which he doth most frequently; but he will give them the encouragement and supportment also of his own Experience.