A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

But is this that forgiveness which is revealed in the Gospel? that which we have been treating about? The Rise and Spring of our forgiveness is in the heart and Gracious Nature of God, declared by his Name; Have you enquired seriously into this? Have you stood at the shore of that infinite Ocean of Goodness and Love? Have your souls found supportment and relief from that Consideration? And have your hearts leaped within you with the thoughts of it? Or if you have never been affected in an especial manner herewithal, have you bowed down your souls under the Considerations of that Sovereign Act of the Will of God, that is the next spring of forgiveness; that glorious acting of free Grace, that when all might justly have perished, all having sinned and come short of his Glory, God would yet have mercy on some? Have you given up your selves to this Grace? Is this any thing of that you do believe? Suppose you are strangers to this also: What communion with God have you had about it in the blood of Christ? We have showed how forgiveness relates thereunto; how way is made thereby for the exercise of mercy, in a consistency with the Glory and Honour of the Justice of God, and of his Law; how Pardon is procured and purchased thereby; with the mysterious Reconciliation of Love and Law; and the new disposal of Conscience in its work and duty by it. What have you to say to these things? Have you seen pardon flowing from the heart of the Father through the blood of the Son? Have you looked upon it as the price of his life, and the purchase of his blood? Or have you general thoughts that Christ dyed for sinners? and that on one account or other forgiveness relates unto him, but are strangers to the mystery of this great work. Suppose this also; Let us go a little further and enquire ⟨p. 237⟩whether you know any thing that yet remains of the like importance in this matter? Forgiveness as we have showed, is manifested, tendered, exhibited in the Covenant of Grace and Promises of the Gospel. The Rule of the Efficacy of these is, that they he mixed with faith, Heb. 4. 2. It is well if you are grown up hereunto; but you that are strangers to the things before mentioned, are no less to this also. Upon the matter you know not then what forgiveness is, nor wherein it consists, nor whence it comes, nor how it is procured, nor by what means given out unto sinners.

But is this that forgiveness which is revealed in the Gospel? that which we have been treating about? The Rise and Spring of our forgiveness is in the heart and Gracious Nature of God, declared by his Name; Have you enquired seriously into this? Have you stood at the shore of that infinite Ocean of Goodness and Love? Have your souls found supportment and relief from that Consideration? And have your hearts leaped within you with the thoughts of it? Or if you have never been affected in an especial manner herewithal, have you bowed down your souls under the Considerations of that Soveraign Act of the Will of God, that is the next spring of forgiveness; that glorious acting of free Grace, that when all might justly have perished, all having sinned and come short of his Glory, God would yet have mercy on some? Have you given up your selves to this Grace? Is this any thing of that you do believe? Suppose you are strangers to this also: What communion with God have you had about it in the blood of Christ? We have shewed how forgiveness relates thereunto; how way is made thereby for the exercise of mercy, in a consistency with the Glory and Honour of the Justice of God, and of his Law; how Pardon is procured and purchased thereby; with the mysterious Reconciliation of Love and Law; and the new disposal of Conscience in its work and duty by it. What have you to say to these things? Have you seen pardon flowing from the heart of the Father through the blood of the Son? Have you looked upon it as the price of his life, and the purchase of his blood? Or have you general thoughts that Christ dyed for finners? and that on one account or other forgiveness relates unto him, but are strangers to the mysterie of this great work. Suppose this also; Let us go a little further and enquire