A53721:5
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
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.
TO THE READER.
Christian Reader,
THE ensuing Exposition and Discourses are intended for the benefit of those, whose spiritual state and condition is represented in the Psalm here explained. That these are not a few, that they are many; yea, that to some part or parts of it, they are all who believe, both the Scriptures and their own Experience will bear Testimony. Some of them it may be will inquire into, and after their own concernments as they are here declared. To be serviceable to their Faith, Peace, and Spiritual consolation, hath been the whole of my design. If they meet with any discovery of Truth, any due application of it to their consciences, any declaration of the sense and mind of the Holy Ghost in the Scriptures suitable unto their condition, and useful to their edification, much ⟨image 3⟩of my end and purpose is obtained. I know some there are that dislike all discourses of this nature, and look upon them with contempt and scorn. But why they should so do, I know not, unless the Gospel it self, and all the mysteries of it be folly unto them. Sin and Grace in their original causes, various respects, consequents, and ends, are the principal subjects of the whole Scripture, of the whole Revelation of the Will of God to Mankind. In these do our present and eternal concernments lye, and from and by them hath God designed the great and everlasting exaltation of his own Glory. Upon these do turn all the transactions that are between God and the souls of men. That it should be an endeavour needless, or superfluous, to inquire into the Will of God about, and our own interest in these things, who can imagine? Two ways there are whereby this may be done. First, Speculatively, by a due investigation of the nature of these things, according as their Doctrine is declared in the Scripture. An endeavour according to the mind of God herein, is just and commendable, and comprehensive of most of the chief heads of Divinity. But this is not to be engaged in for its own sake. The knowledge of God and spiritual things have this proportion unto practical Sciences, that the end of all its notions and Doctrines consists in practice. Wherefore, Secondly, These things are to be considered practically, that is, as the souls and consciences of men are actually concerned in them, and conversant about them.