A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

First, With respect unto its principle, it is from a spirit of bondage, Rom. 18. 15. We have not again received the spirit of bondage unto fear: It is not such a fear as makes an ⟨p. 292⟩occasional incursion upon the mind or soul; such as ice xcited and occasioned by incident darkness and Temptation, such as the best, and persons of the highest assurance are liable and obnoxious unto; but it is such as hath a complete abiding principle in the soul, even a spirit of bondage, a prevailing frame constantly inclining it to fear, or dreadful apprehensions of God and its own condition. Secondly, That it tends to bondage, it brings the soul into bondage, Heb. 2. 14, 15. He dyed to deliver them who by fear of death were in bondage all their days. Fear of death as penal, as it lies in the curse, which is that fear that proceeds from a spirit of bondage, brings the persons in whom it is into bondage; that is, it adds weariness, trouble, and anxiety of mind unto fear, and puts them upon all ways and means imaginable, unduly and disorderly to seek for a remedy or relief. Thirdly, It hath torment; fear hath torment, 1 Joh. 4. 18. It gives no rest, no quietness unto the mind; now this is so cast out by Gospel Assurance of forgiveness, that though it may assault the soul, it shall not possess it; though it make incursions upon it, it shall not dwell abide and prevail in it. 3. It gives the soul an hope and expectation of the Glory that shall be revealed, and secretly stirs it up, and enlivens it unto a supportment in sufferings, trials and Temptations. This is the hope which makes not ashamed, Rom. 5. 5. and that, because it will never expose the soul unto disappointment. Where ever there is the root of Assurance, there will be this fruit of hope. The proper object of it, is things absent, invisible, eternal; the promised reward in all the notions, respects and concernments of it. This hope goes out unto, in distresses, temptations, failings; and under a sense of the guilt and power of sin. Hence ariseth a spring of secret relief in the soul, something that calms the heart, and quiets the spirit in the midst of many a storm. Now, as where ever Assurance is, there will be this hope; so, where ever this secret relieving hope is, it grows on no other root, but a living persuasion of a personal interest in the things hoped for. 4. As it will do many other things;