A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

The state of things in Truth, is as much otherwise as can possibly be thought or imagined. To what purpose is it for men to be passing a Judgement upon themselves, when there is no manner of certainty in their determinations; and when their proceeding thereon will probably lead them to further entanglements, if not to eternal ruin. The Judging of Souls as to their spiritual state and condition is the work of Jesus Christ; especially as to the End now under Enquiry. Men may, men do take many ways to make a Judgement of themselves. Some do it on slight and trivial conjectures; some on bold and wicked presumptions; some on desperate Atheistical notions; as Deut. 29. 17. some with more sobriety and sense of Eternity, lay down principles, it may be good and true in themselves; from them they draw conclusions, arguing from one thing unto another; and in the end oft-times either deceive themselves, or sit down no less in the dark, than they were at the entrance of their self-debate and Examination. A mans judgement upon his own reasonings is seldom true, more seldom permanent. I speak not of self-examination, with a due discussion of Graces and Actions, but of the final sentence as to state and condition, wherein the soul is to acquiesce. This belongs unto Christ. ⟨p. 281⟩Now there are Two ways whereby the Lord Jesus Christ gives forth his decretory sentence in this matter. 1. By his Word. He determines in the Word of the Gospel of the state and condition of all men indefinitely. Each Individual coming to that Word, receives his own sentence and doom. He told the Jews that Moses accused them, John 5. 45. His Law accused and condemned the transgressors of it. And so doth the acquit every one that is discharged, by the Word of the Gospel. And our self-judging, is but our receiving by faith his Sentence in the Word. His process herein we have recorded, Joh 33. 22, 23. His soul (that is of the sinner) draweth near to the grave, and his life to the destroyers; This seems to be his state; it is so indeed; he is at the very brink of the grave and hell. What then; why if there be with him, or stand over him, [Greek or Hebrew] the Angel interpreting, or the Angel of the Covenant, who alone is [Greek or Hebrew] the one of a thousand; what shall he do? He shall show unto him his uprightness.