A53721:780
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.
Every doubt and fear that it ingenerates concerning the Love of Christ, stirs up the soul unto more earnestness after him, delight in him, and sedulous watching against every thing that may keep it at a distance from him, or occasion him to hide, withdraw, or absent himself from it. 2. Unbelief that works by questioning of the promises, is universally selfish; it begins and ends in self. Self-love, in desires after freedom from guilt, danger and punishment, are the life and soul of it. May this end be attained, it hath no delight in God. Nor doth it care what way it be attained so it may be attained. May such persons have any persuasions that they shall be freed from death and hell, be it by the works of the Law, or by the observance of any inventions of their own, whether any Glory ariseth unto God from his Grace and faithfulness or no, they are not solicitous. The Jealousy we speak of hath the Person of Christ and his ⟨p. 303⟩Excellency for its constant object. These it fills the mind with in many and various thoughts, still representing him more and more amiable and more desirable unto the soul. So doth the Spouse upon the like occasion, as you may see at large, Cant. 5. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Being at some loss for his presence, for he had withdrawn himself, not finding her wonted communion and intercourse with him, fearing that upon her provocation she might forfeit her Interest in his Love, she falls upon the Consideration of all his Excellencies, and thereby the more inflames her self unto desires after his company and enjoyment. And these divers things may be thus distinguished and discerned. RULE VI. 1Learn to distinguish between faith and spiritual sense. This Rule the Apostle gives us, 2 Cor. 5. 7. We walk by faith and not by sight. It is the sight of Glory that is especially here intended. But faith and sense in any kind are clearly distinguished. That may be believed, which is not felt. Yea, It is the Will and Command of God, that faith should stand and do its work, where all sense fails, Esa. 50. 10. And it is with spiritual sense in this matter, as it is with natural. Thomas would not believe, unless he saw the object of his faith with his Eyes, or felt it with his hand: but, saith our Saviour, blessed are they who believe, and have not seen; who believe upon the testimony of God, without the help of their own sense or reason.