A53721:776
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.
Secondly, In that part of our lives, which upon the call of God we have given up unto him. There are two sorts of sins that do effectually impeach our future peace and comfort, which ought therefore to be frequently renewed and issued in the blood of Christ. First, Such as by reason of any aggravating circumstances have been accompanied with some especial unkindness towards God. Such are sins after warnings, communications of a sense of Love, after particular engagements against them, relapses, omissions of great opportunities and advantages for the furtherance of the Glory of God in the world. These kinds of sins have much unkindness attending them, and will be searched out if we cover them. 2. Sins attended with scandal towards fewer, or more, or any one single person who is or may be concerned in us: The aggravations of these kind of sins are commonly known. Thirdly, The various outward states and conditions which we have passed through, as of Prosperity and Afflictions, should in like manner fall under this search and consideration. It is but seldom that we fill up our duty, or answer the mind of God in any dispensation of providence. And if our neglect herein be not managed aright, they will undoubtedly hinder and interrupt our peace. ⟨p. 299⟩RULE V. The fifth Rule. Distinction between Unbelief and Jealousy. The sixth Rule. Distinction between Faith and Spiritual Sense. 1Learn to distinguish between Unbelief and Jealousy. There is a twofold Unbelief. (1.) That which is universal and privative, such as is in all unregenerate persons; they have no Faith at all, that is, they are dead men and have no principles of spiritual life. This I speak not of, it is easily distinguished from any Grace, being the utter enemy and privation as it were of them all. (2.) There is an Unbelief partial and negative, consisting in a staggering at, or Questioning of the promises. This is displeasing to God, a sin which is attended with unknown Aggravations, though men usually indulge it in themselves. It is well expressed, Psal. 78. 19, 20. God had promised his presence to the people in the wilderness to feed, sustain, and preserve them. How did they entertain these promises of God? Can he, say they, give bread? can he give flesh unto his people? vers. 20. What great sin, crime, or offence is in this enquiry? Why vers. 19. This is called speaking against God;