A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

and Secondly, Rest, Satisfaction and Contentment in the condition attained. And this, at least the second part of it, belongs unto the spiritual sense that we enquire after. Again, there is in it Joy in the holy Ghost, called joy unspeakable, and full of Glory, 1 Pet. 1. 8. as also glorying in the Lord, upon the account of his Grace, Esa. 45. 26. with many the like Effects, preceding from a shedding abroad of the Love of God in our hearts, Rom. 5. 5. ⟨p. 305⟩Yea, you say these are the things you aim at; these are the things you would attain, and be filled withal. It is this Peace, this Joy, this glorying in the Lord that you would always be in the possession of; I say you do well to desire them, to seek and labour after them: They are purchased by Christ for Believers; but you will do well to consider under what notion you do desire them. If you look on these things as belonging to the Essence of Faith, without which you can have no real interest in forgiveness or acceptance with God, you greatly deceive your own souls, and put your selves out of the way of obtaining of them. These these things are not believing, nor adequate effects of it; so as immediately to be produced where ever faith is: But they are such consequents of it, as may, or may not ensue upon it, according to the Will of God. Faith is a seed that contains them virtually; and out of which they may be in due time educed by the working of the Word and Spirit. And the way for any soul to be made partaker of them, is to wait on the Sovereignty of God's Grace, who createth peace in the exercise of faith upon the promises. He then that would place believing in these things, and will not be persuaded that he doth believe, until he is possessed of them; he doth both lose the benefit, advantage and comfort of what he hath, and neglecting the due acting of faith, puts himself out of the way of attaining what he aimeth at. These things therefore are not needful to give you a real, saving interest in forgiveness, as it is tendered in the promise of the Gospel by the blood of Christ. And it may be it is not the Will of God, that ever you should be entrusted with them. It may be, it would not be for your good and advantage so to be. Some servants that are ill husbands, must have their wages kept for them to the years end, or it will do them no good.