A53721:742
A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm
A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm wherein the nature of the forgiveness of sin is declared, the truth and reality of it asserted, and the case of a soul distressed with the guilt of sin and relieved by a discovery of forgiveness with God is at large discoursed / by John Owen.
London: printed by Robert White for Nathaniel Ponder, 1669
AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM CXXX. › General Scope of the whole Psalm. › Verse 4 › Section
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. Examine your own hearts, how you came to have an interest in this Forgiveness, to close with it, and to have a right unto it. A man may deceive himself as effectually by supposing that True Riches are his, when they are not, as by supposing his false and counterfeit ware to be good and currant; how then come you to be interested in this. Gospel-forgiveness? If it hath befallen you you know not how, if a lifeless, barren, inoperative persuasion of it hath crept upon your minds; be not mistaken, God will come and require his forgiveness at your hands, and it shall appear, that you have had no part, nor portion in it. If you shall say, Nay, but we were convinced of sin, and rendered exceeding unquiet in our Consciences, and on that account looked out after Forgiveness, which hath given us Rest. Then I desire,
1. Examine your own hearts, how you came to have an interest in this Forgiveness, to close with it, and to have a right unto it. A man may deceive himself as effectually by supposing that True Riches are his, when they are not, as by supposing his false and counterfeit ware to be good and currant; how then come you to be interested in this. Gospel-forgiveness? If it hath befallen you you know not how, if a lifeless, barren, inoperative perswasion of it hath crept upon your minds; be not mistaken, God will come and require his forgiveness at your hands, and it shall appear, that you have had no part, nor portion in it. If you shall say, Nay, but we were convinced of sin, and rendred exceeding unquiet in our Consciences, and on that account looked out after Forgiveness, which hath given us Rest. Then I desire,
2. That you would diligently consider, to what ends and purposes you have received, and do make use of this Gospel-forgiveness. Hath it been to make up what was wanting, and to piece up a peace in your own Consciences? that whereas you could not answer your Convictions with your duties, you would seek for relief from Forgiveness. This, and innumerable other ways there are, whereby men may lose their souls when they think all is well with them, even on the account of Pardon and Mercy. Whence is that caution of the Apostle, Looking diligently lest any one should seem to fail, or come short of the Grace of God,