A53721:779
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.
Men think sometimes, that their uncertainty of the love of God and of acceptance with him by the forgiveness of sin, doth put them upon the performance of many duties, and they can have no rest or peace in the omission of them. It may be it is so; Yea this is the state and Condition with many. But what are these duties? and how are they performed? And what is their acceptance with God? The duties themselves are legal, which denomination ariseth not from the Nature, Substance or Matter of them, for they may be the same that are required and enjoined in the Gospel, but from the principle from whence they proceed, and the End to which they are used. Now these in this case are both legal, their principle is legal fear, and their end is legal Righteousness; the whole attendance unto them a seeking of righteousness as it were by the works of the Law: and how are they performed? ⟨p. 302⟩Plainly, with a bondage frame of Spirit, without Love, Joy, Liberty, or Delight; To quiet conscience, to pacify God, are the things in them aimed at; all in opposition to the Blood and Righteousness of Christ. And are they accepted with God? Let them be multiplied never so much, he every where testifieth that they are abhorred by him. This then Unbelief mixed with convictions will do. It is the proper way of venting and exercising it self where the soul is brought under the power of conviction. But as unto Gospel Obedience in all the duties of it, to be carried on in communion with God by Christ, and delight in him, all questioning of the promises weakens and discourageth the soul, and makes them all wearisome and burdensome unto it. But the Jealousy that is exercised about the Person and Love of Christ unto the soul, is quite of another nature, and produceth other effects. It cheers, enlivens, and enlargeth the soul, stirs up to activity, earnestness, and industry in its enquiries and desires after Christ. Jealousy, saith the Spouse, is hard as the grave, therefore set me as a Seal upon thy heart, as a Seal upon thy arm. It makes the soul restlessly pant after nearer more sensible and more assured Communion with Christ; It stirs up vigorous and active Spirits in all duties.
Men think sometimes, that their uncertainty of the love of God and of acceptance with him by the forgiveness of sin, doth put them upon the performance of many duties, and they can have no rest or peace in the omission of them. It may be it is so; Yea this is the state and Condition with many. But what are these duties? and how are they performed? And what is their acceptance with God? The duties themselves are legal, which denomination ariseth not from the Nature, Substance or Matter of them, for they may be the same that are required and injoyned in the Gospel, but from the principle from whence they proceed, and the End to which they are used. Now these in this case are both legal, their principle is legal fear, and their end is legal Righteousness; the whole attendance unto them a seeking of righteousness as it were by the works of the Law: and how are they performed?