A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

It is to no purpose for such persons to pretend that they believe that whereunto either notionally, or practically, or both, they are such utter strangers.

6. Another Enquiry into this matter regards the State and Condition wherein souls must be, before it be possible for them to believe forgiveness. If there be such an Estate and it can be evinced that very many of the Pretenders concerning whom we deal, were never brought into it, it is then evident that they neither do nor can believe forgiveness, however they do and may delude their own souls.

It hath been showed that the first discovery that was made of pardoning Grace was unto Adam, presently after the fall. What was then his State and Condition? How was he prepared for the reception of this great mystery in its first discovery? that seems to be a considerable Rule of proceeding in the same matter. That which is first in any kind, is a Rule to all that follows. Now what was Adams condition when the Revelation of forgiveness was first made to him? it is known from the Story; convinced of sin, afraid of punishment, he lay trembling at the foot of God. Then was forgiveness revealed unto him; So the Psalmist states it, Psalm 130. v. 3. If thou Lord shouldst mark iniquity, O Lord who shall stand? Full of thoughts he is of the desert of sin, and of inevitable and eternal ruin, in case God should deal with him according to the Exigence of the Law. In that state is the great support of Forgiveness with God, suggested unto him by the Holy Ghost. We know what work our Saviour had with the Pharisees on this account. Are we, say they, blind also? No, saith he, you say, you see, therefore your sin remaineth, ⟨p. 238⟩