A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

4. This Way is confirmed and ratified in his Blood; from whence the Apostle at large evinceth its absolute security and safety, Heb. 9. Whatever soul then on the invitation under consideration, shall give up himself to come to God, by the way proposed; he shall assuredly find absolute peace, and security in it. Neither our own weakness, or folly from within, nor the opposition of any of all our Enemies from without, shall be able to turn us out of this Way. See Isa. 35. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

3. In the other way, every individual person stands upon his own bottom, and must do so, to the last, and utmost of his continuance in this World. You are desirous to go unto God, to obtain his favour, and come to an enjoyment of him. What will you do? What course will you fix upon, for the obtaining of these Ends? if you were so holy, so perfect, so righteous, so free from sin as you could desire, you should have some boldness in going unto God; why if this be the way you fix upon, take this along with you: You stand upon your own personal Account all your days. And if you fail in the least you are gone for ever. For whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all, Jam. 2. 10. And what peace can you possibly obtain, were you as holy as ever you aimed or desired to be, whilst this is your Condition? But in this way of Forgiveness, we all stand upon the Account of one common Mediator in whom we are complete. Col. 3. 10. And a want of a due improvement of this Truth, is a great principle of disconsolation to many Souls. Suppose a man look upon himself as loosed from the Covenant of Works, wherein exact and perfect Righteousness is rigidly required; and to be called unto Gospel Evangelical Obedience to be performed in the room thereof, in sincerity and integrity; yet if he be not cleared in this also, that he stands not in this