A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

Let us then on this ground also, continue our Enquiry upon the ordinary boasters of their skill in this mystery. You believe there is forgiveness with God; Yes, but have you been convinced of sin? Yes; you know that you are sinners well enough. Answer then but once more as to the nature of this conviction of sin, which you say you have; Is it not made up of these two ingredients. (1.) A general notion that you are sinners as all men also are. (2.) Particular troublesome reflections upon your selves, when on any eruption of sin, Conscience accuses, rebukes, condemns? You will say, yes, what would you require more. This is not the Conviction we are enquiring after; That is a work of the Spirit by the Word; this you speak of, a mere Natural work, which you can no more be without than you can cease to be men. This will give no Assistance unto the receiving of forgiveness. But it may be, you will say, you have proceeded farther than so; and these things have had an improvement in you. Let us then a little try whether your process have been according to the mind of God. And so whether this invincible bar in your way be removed or no. For although every convinced person do not believe forgiveness: yet no one who is not convinced doth so. Have you then been made sensible of your condition by Nature; what it is to be alienated from the life of God, and to be obnoxious to ⟨p. 239⟩his wrath? Have you been convinced of the Universal Enmity that is in your hearts to the mind of God; and what it is to be at Enmity against God? Hath the unspeakable multitude of the sins of your lives been set in order by the Law before you? And have you considered what it is for sinners, such sinners as you are, to have to deal with a Righteous and a holy God? Hath the Holy Ghost wrought a serious Recognition in your hearts of all these things, and caused them to abide with you and upon you? If you will answer truly, you must say, many of you, that indeed you have not been so exercised. You have heard of these things many times, but to say that you have gone through with this work, and have had Experience of them, that you cannot do. Then I say you are strangers to forgiveness, because you are strangers unto sin: But and if you shall say that you have had thoughts to this purpose; and are persuaded that you have been throughly convinced of sin; I shall yet ask you one Question more;

Let us then on this ground also, continue our Enquiry upon the ordinary boasters of their skill in this mysterie. You believe there is forgiveness with God; Yes, but have you been convinced of sin? Yes; you know that you are sinners well enough. Answer then but once more as to the nature of this conviction of sin, which you say you have; Is it not made up of these two ingredients. (1.) A general notion that you are sinners as all men also are. (2.) Particular troublesome reflections upon your selves, when on any eruption of sin, Conscience accuses, rebukes, condemns? You will say, yes, what would you require more. This is not the Conviction we are enquiring after; That is a work of the Spirit by the Word; this you speak of, a meer Natural work, which you can no more be without than you can cease to be men. This will give no Assistance unto the receiving of forgiveness. But it may be, you will say, you have proceeded farther than so; and these things have had an improvement in you. Let us then a little try whether your process have been according to the mind of God. And so whether this invincible barr in your way be removed or no. For although every convinced person do not believe forgiveness: yet no one who is not convinced doth so. Have you then been made sensible of your condition by Nature; what it is to be alienated from the life of God, and to be obnoxious to