A53721:766
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.
The sinner is freed by the Gospel, but its right lies against the sin still, that it condemns, and that justly. Now though the sinner himself be freed, yet finding his sin laid hold of and condemned, it fills him with a deep sense of its guilt, and of the displeasure of God against it; which yet hinders not, but that at the same time, he may have such an insight as faith gives into his personal interest in a Gospel acquitment. A man then may have a deep sense of sin all his days, walk under the sense of it continually, abhor himself for his ingratitude, unbelief, ⟨p. 286⟩and rebellion against God, without any impeachment of his Assurance. 12. Deep sorrow for sin is consistent with Assurance of forgiveness Yea it is a great means of preservation of it. Godly sorrow, mourning, humiliation, contriteness of Spirit, are no less Gospel Graces, and fruits of the Holy Ghost, than Faith it self; and so are consistent with the highest flourishings of faith whatever. It is the work of Heaven it self, and not of the Assurance of it, to wipe all tears from our eyes. Yea these Graces have the most eminent Promises annexed to them, as Isa. 57. 15. chap. 66. 2. with blessedness it self, Math. 5. 4. yea they are themselves the matter of many Gracious Gospel Promises, Zech. 12. 10. so that they are assuredly consistent with any other Grace or Privilege that we may be made partakers of; or are promised unto us. Some finding the weight and burden of their sins, and being called to mourning and bumiliation on that account, are so taken up with it, as to lose the sense of Forgiveness, which rightly improved, would promote their sorrow, as their sorrow seems directly to sweeten their sense of forgiveness. Sorrow absolutely exclusive of the faith of forgiveness, is legal, and tendeth unto death. Assurance absolutely exclusive of Godly sorrow is presumption, and not a persuasion from him that calleth us. But Gospel Sorrow, and Gospel Assurance may well dwell in the same breast at the same time. Indeed as in all worldly Joys there is a secret wound; So in all Godly sorrow and mourning considered in its self, there is a secret Joy and refreshment; Hence it doth not wither and dry up, but rather enlarge, open, and sweeten the heart. I am persuaded that generally they mourn most, who have most Assurance.