A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

When Eternal welfare or woe are at the stake, for a man to renounce his own thoughts, to give up himself implicitly, to the Judgement of men fallible and liars like himself, is stupidity; But there is no danger of being deceived by the sentence of Christ. The truth is, whether we will or no, he will Judge; and according as he determines so shall things be found at the last day, Joh. 5. 22. The Father judgeth no man, (that is, immediately and in his own Person) but hath committed all judgement unto the Son. All Judgment that respects Eternity, whether it be to be passed in this World or in that to come, is committed unto him. Accordingly in that place […] judgeth both of Things and Persons. Things he determines upon, v. 24. He that heareth my Word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life. Let men say what they please, This sentence shall stand; Faith and eternal life are inseparably conjoined. And so of Persons, v. 38. You have not, (saith he to the Pharisees, who were much otherwise minded) the Word of God abiding in you. Take not then the Office and Prerogative of Christ out of his hand, by making a Judgement upon your own Reasonings, and Conclusions, and Deductions of your state and Condition. You will find that he often-times both on the one hand, and on the other, determines quite contrary to what men judge of themselves; As also to what others judge of them. Some he judgeth to be in an evil condition, who are very confident that ⟨p. 279⟩it is well with them, and who please themselves in the thoughts of many to the same purpose. And he judgeth the state of some to be Good, who are diffident in themselves, and it may be despised by others. We may single out an Example or two in each kind. 1. Laodicea's Judgement of her self, and her spiritual state we have, Revel. 3. 17. I am rich, and increased with Goods, and have need of nothing. A fair state it seems, a blessed Condition. She wants nothing that may contribute to her rest, peace and reputation; she is Orthodox, and Numerous, and Flourishing; makes a fair profession, and all is well within. So she believes, so she reports of her self; wherein there is a secret reflection also upon others whom she despiseth. Let them shift as they list, I am thus as I say. But was it so with her indeed?