A53721:773
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.
30 6, 7. He thus argues with himself, He whose mountain is made strong, to whom God is a defence, he shall never be moved nor be shaken; but I am thus settled of God, therefore I shall not be moved; and therein he rejoiceth. It is an expression of exultation that he useth; but what is the Issue of it? In the midst of these pleasing thoughts of his, God hides his face, and he is troubled; he cannot any longer draw out the sweetness of the conclusion mentioned. It was in him before from the shines of Gods Countenance, and not from any arguings of his own. No disappointment then, no tediousness or weariness should make the soul leave waiting on God, if it intend to attain Consolation and Establishment. So dealeth the Church, Lam. 3. 21. This I recall to mind, therefore have I hope: What is it that she calls to mind, this, that it is of the Lords mercy that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not, vers. 22. I will yet hope, I will yet continue in my Expectation upon the account of never failing-compassion; of endless mercies in him, whatever my present condition be. And thence she makes a blessed conclusion, vers. 26. It is good that a man should both hope, and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. And this is our third Rule. It is good to hope and wait, whatever our present condition be, and not to give over, if we would not be sure to fail: whereunto I speak no more, because the close of this Psalm insists wholly on this duty, which must be further spoken unto. RULE IV. 1Seeing in the course of our believing and obedience, that which is chiefly incumbent on us, for our coming up to establishment and consolation, is spiritual diligence in the removal of the hinderances thereof: Let the soul that would attain thereunto, make through work in the search of sin, even to the sins of youth; that all scores on that account may clearly be wiped out. If there be much rubbish left in the foundation of the ⟨p. 296⟩building, no wonder if it always shake and totter. Mens leaving of any sin unsearched to the bottom, will poison all their consolation. David knew this, when in dealing with God in his distresses, he prays that he would not remember the sins and transgressions of his youth, Psal. 5. 7. Youth is oftentimes a time of great vanity and unmindfulness of God; many stains and spots are therein usually brought upon the consciences of men.