A53721:524
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. On this supposition, it is the highest Blasphemy and reproach of God imaginable, to conceive that there is not forgiveness with him for us. Indeed if we should go upon our own heads without his Warranty and Authority, to ask any thing at his hand, we might well expect to meet with disappointment. For what should encourage us unto any such ⟨p. 184⟩boldness? But now when God himself shall command us to come, and ask any thing from him, so making it thereby our Duty, and that the neglect thereof should be our great sin and Rebellion against him; to suppose he hath not the thing in his Power to bestow on us, or that his Will is wholly averse from so doing, is to reproach him with want of Truth, Faithfulness and Holiness, and not to be God. For what sincerity can be in such proceedings? Is it consistent with any Divine Excellency? Could it have any other end, but to deceive poor creatures? either to delude them if they do pray according to his command, or to involve them in further guilt, if they do not? God forbid any such thoughts should enter into our hearts. But,
3. To put this whole matter out of question, God hath promised to hear our prayers, and in particular those which we make unto him for the forgiveness of sin. So our Saviour hath assured us, that what we ask in his name, it shall be done for us. And he hath, as we have showed, taught us to ask this very thing of God as our Heavenly Father; that is in his name. For in and through him alone is he a Father unto us. I need not insist on particular Promises to this purpose, they are as you know multiplied in the Scriptures.
3. To put this whole matter out of question, God hath promised to hear our prayers, and in particular those which we make unto him for the forgiveness of sin. So our Saviour hath assured us, that what we ask in his name, it shall be done for us. And he hath, as we have shewed, taught us to ask this very thing of God as our Heavenly Father; that is in his name. For in and through him alone is he a Father unto us. I need not insist on particular Promises to this purpose, they are as you know multiplyed in the Scriptures.