A53721:771
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.
so that I may give one comprehensive instance, it will carry them out in whom it ⟨p. 293⟩is, to dye for Christ. Death unto men who saw not one step beyond it, was esteemed of all things most terrible. The way and means of its approach add unto its terror. But this is nothing in comparison of what it is unto them who look through it as a passage into ensuing Eternity. For a man then to choose death rather than life, in the most terrible manner of its approach, expecting an Eternity to ensue, it argues a comfortable persuasion of a Good State and Condition after death. Now I am persuaded that there are hundreds, who upon Gospel saving accounts would embrace a stake for the Testimony of Jesus, who yet know not at all that they have the Assurance we speak of, and yet nothing else would enable them thereunto. But these things being besides the main of my Intendment, I shall pursue them no further, only the Rule is of use. Let the soul be sure to be well acquainted with the nature of that which it seeks after, and confesseth a sense of the want of. RULE III. Continuance in waiting necessary unto Peace and Consolation. The fourth Rule. Remove the Hinderances of Believing by a searching out of sin. Rules and Directions for that Duty. 1Whatever your Condition be, and your Apprehension of it; yet continue waiting for a better issue, and give not over through weariness or impatience. This Rule contains the sum of the Great Example given us in this Psalm. Forgiveness in God being discovered, though no sense of a particular interest therein as yet obtained; that which the soul applies it self unto, is diligent, careful, constant, persevering waiting; which is variously expressed in the 5, and 6, verses. The Holy Ghost tells us, that light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart, Psal. 97. 11. Light and Gladness are the things now enquired after. Deliverance from darkness, misapprehensions of God, hard and misgiving thoughts of his own condition, is that which a soul in its depths reacheth towards. Now, saith the Holy Ghost, These things are sown for the Righteous. Doth the Husbandman after he casts his seed into the Earth, immediately ⟨p. 294⟩the next day, the next week, expect that it will be harvest? doth he think to reap so soon as he hath sown?