A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

1. God himself doth really separate and distinguish his forgiveness, from any thing that our thoughts and imaginations can reach unto, and that because it is his, and like himself. It is an object for faith alone; which can rest in that, which it cannot comprehend. It is never safer, than when it is as it were overwhelmed with infiniteness. But set mere rational thoughts, or the imaginations of our minds at work about ⟨p. 223⟩such things, and they fall unconceivably short of them. They can neither conceive of them aright, nor use them unto their proper end and purpose. Were not forgiveness in God somewhat beyond what men could imagine, no flesh could be saved. This himself expresseth, Isa. 55. 7, 8, 9. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, and he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways saith the Lord; for as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. They are, as is plain in the context, thoughts of forgiveness, and ways of Pardon whereof he speaks. These our Apprehensions come short of; we know little or nothing of the infinite largeness of his heart in this matter. He that he speaks of, is [Greek or Hebrew] an impiously wicked man, and [Greek or Hebrew] a man of deceit, and perverse wickedness. He whose design and course is nothing but a lye, sin, and iniquity. Such an one as we would have little or no hopes of; that we would scarce think it worth our while to deal withal about a hopeless Conversion; or can scarce find in our hearts to pray for him, but are ready to give him up, as one profligate and desperate. But let him turn to the Lord and he shall obtain forgiveness. But how can this be? Is it possible there should be mercy for such an one? Yes! For the Lord [Greek or Hebrew] will multiply to pardon. He hath forgiveness with him to outdo all the multiplied sins of any that turn unto him, and seek for it. But this is very hard, very difficult for us to apprehend. This is not the way and manner of men: We deal not thus with profligate Offenders against us. True, saith God; But your ways are not my ways. I do not act in this matter like unto you, nor as you are accustomed to do. How then shall we apprehend it;