A53721:574
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.
4. Observe that none of these Properties of God can be thus manifested and known, nor himself be glorified for them, but by his declaration of them, and by their effects. We know no more of God than he is pleased to reveal unto us. I mean not mere Revelation by his Word, but any ways or means, whether by his Word, or by his Works, or by Impressions from the Law of Nature upon our hearts and minds. And what ever God thus declares of himself; He doth it by exercising, putting forth, and manifesting the effects of it. So we know his Power, Wisdom, Goodness and Grace; namely, by the effects of them, or the works of God that proceed from them, and are suited unto them. And what ever is in God that is not thus made known, we cannot apprehend nor glorify God on the account of it. God therefore doing all things, as hath been showed, for the glory of these his Properties, he doth so reveal them, and make them known.
4. Observe that none of these Properties of God can be thus manifested and known, nor himself be glorified for them, but by his declaration of them, and by their effects. We know no more of God than he is pleased to reveal unto us. I mean not meer Revelation by his Word, but any wayes or means, whether by his Word, or by his Works, or by Impressions from the Law of Nature upon our hearts and minds. And what ever God thus declares of himself; He doth it by exercising, putting forth, and manifesting the effects of it. So we know his Power, Wisdom, Goodness and Grace; namely, by the effects of them, or the works of God that proceed from them, and are suited unto them. And what ever is in God that is not thus made known, we cannot apprehend nor glorifie God on the account of it. God therefore doing all things, as hath been shewed, for the glory of these his Properties, he doth so reveal them, and make them known.
5. Upon this design of God, it is necessary that he should reveal, and make known all the Attributes and Properties of his Nature, in works and effects peculiarly proceeding from them and answering unto them, that he might be glorified in them, and which as the Event manifests, he hath done accordingly. For what Reason can be imagined, why God will be glorified in one Essential Excellency of his Nature, and not in another? Especially must this be affirmed of those Properties of the Nature of God, which the Event manifesteth his principal glory to consist in, and arise from, and the knowledge whereof is of the greatest use behoof and benefit unto the Children of men in reference unto his design towards them.