A53721:746
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.
4. What Joshua told the children of Israel, when they put themselves upon such a Resolution, and cried out, We will serve the Lord our God, chap. 24. v. 19. Ye cannot serve the Lord, for he is an holy God, a jealous God, he will not forgive your transgressions, nor your sins. Go to him upon your own Account, and in your own strength, with your own best endeavours and duties, you will find him too great, and too holy for you to deal withal. You will obtain neither Acceptance of your persons, nor Pardon of your sins. But you will say, this is heavy tidings. If you sit still you perish, and if you rise to be doing, it will not be better; is there no hope left for our Souls? must we pine away under our sins and the wrath of God for ever? God forbid. There are yet other directions remaining to guide you out of these entanglements. Wherefore,
4. What Joshua told the children of Israel, when they put themselves upon such a Resolution, and cryed out, We will serve the Lord our God, chap. 24. v. 19. Ye cannot serve the Lord, for he is an holy God, a jealous God, he will not forgive your transgressions, nor your sins. Go to him upon your own Account, and in your own strength, with your own best endeavours and dutyes, you will finde him too great, and too holy for you to deal withall. You will obtain neither Acceptance of your persons, nor Pardon of your sins. But you will say, this is heavy tidings. If you sit still you perish, and if you rise to be doing, it will not be better; is there no hope left for our Souls? must we pine away under our sins and the wrath of God for ever? God forbid. There are yet other directions remaining to guide you out of these entanglements. Wherefore,
5. Ponder seriously on what hath been spoken of this way of approaching unto God. Consider it in its own nature, as to all the ends and purposes for which it is proposed of God: Consider, whether you Approve of it or no; do you judge it a way suited ⟨p. 274⟩and fitted to bring glory unto God? doth it answer all the wants and distresses of your souls? Do you think it excellent, safe, and Glorious unto them who are entered unto it? or have you any thing to object against it? Return your Answer to him in whose Name, and by whose Appointment these words are spoken unto you. If you shall say, we are convinced that this way of forgiveness is the only way for the relief and deliverance of our Souls; Then,