A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

2. This is the way that above all others attends directly and immediately to the Glory of God. God hath managed and ordered all things in this way of forgiveness, so as no flesh should glory in his presence, but that he that glorieth should glory in the Lord, 1 Cor. 1. 29. 31. Where then is Boasting? it is excluded; by what Law? by the Law of Works; nay, but by the Law of ⟨p. 257⟩Faith, Rom. 3. 27. It might be easily manifested, that God hath so laid the design of saving Sinners by Forgiveness according to the Law of Faith, that it is utterly impossible that any Soul should on any account whatever have the least Ground of Glorying, or boasting in its self, either absolutely, or in comparison with them that perish. If Abraham, saith the same Apostle, were justified by works, he had whereof to glory, but not before God, Chap. 4. 2. The Obedience of works would have been so infinitely disproportionate to the Reward, which was God himself, that there had been no glorying before God; but therein his Goodness and Grace must be acknowledged; yet in comparison with others who yielded not the Obedience required, he would have had wherein to glory; But now this also is cast off by the way of forgiveness, and no pretence is left for any to claim the least share in the Glory of it but God alone; and herein lies the excellency of Faith, that it gives glory unto God, Rom. 4. 20. the denial whereof under various pretences is the issue of proud unbelief. And this is that which God will bring all unto, or they shall perish; Namely, that shame be ours, and the whole Glory of our salvation be his alone. So he expresseth his design, Isa. 45. 22, 23, 24, 25. v. 22. he proposeth himself as the only relief for Sinners; Look unto me, (saith he) and be saved, all ye ends of the Earth; But what if men take some other course, and look well to themselves, and so decline this way of mere Mercy and Grace, wh• saith he, v. 23. I have sworn by my self, the Word is gone out of my mouth in Righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me, every Knee shall bow, and every Tongue shall swear. Look you unto that; but I have sworn that you shall either do so, or answer your disobedience at the day of Judgement; whereunto Paul applies those words,