A53721:78
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. › Verses 1, 2 › 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, There is in this Covenant provision made for constant peace and consolation, notwithstanding, and against the guilt of such sins, as through their infirmities and temptations believers are daily exposed unto. Though they fall into sins every day, yet they do not fall into depths every day. In the tenor of this Covenant, there is a consistency between a sense of sin unto humiliation and peace, with strong consolation. After the Apostle had described the whole conflict that Believers have with sin, and the frequent wounds which they receive thereby, which makes them cry out for deliverance, Rom. 7. 24. He yet concludes, Chap. 8. 1. that there is no condemnation unto them, which is a sufficient and stable foundation of Peace. So 1 John 2. 1. These things have I written unto you, that you sin not; and if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. Our great business and care ought to be, that we sin not; but yet when we have done our utmost, if we say we have no sin, we deceive our selves, Chap. 1. 8. What then shall poor, sinful, guilty creatures do? why let them go to the Father, by their Advocate, and they shall not fail of pardon and peace. And saith Paul, Heb 6. 17, 18. God is abundantly willing that we might have strong consolation who fly for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us. What was his condition who fled of old to the City of refuge for safety, from whence this expression is taken? He was guilty of blood, though shed at unawares; and so, as that he was to dye for it, if he escaped not to the City of Refuge. Though we may have the guilt of sins upon us, that the Law pronounceth death unto, yet flying to Christ for refuge, God hath provided not only safety, but strong consolation for us also. Forgiveness in the blood of Christ, doth not only take guilt from the soul, but trouble also from the conscience. And in this respect doth the Apostle at large set forth the Excellency of his Sacrifice, Heb. 10. The Sacrifices of the Old Law, he ⟨p. 18⟩tells us, could not make perfect the worshippers, v. 1. which he proves, v. 2. because they did never take away, throughly and really, Conscience of sin, that is, depths or distresses of conscience about sin; But now, saith he, Jesus Christ in the Covenant of Grace hath for ever perfected them that were sanctified, v. 14.