A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

and he that says, when he hath done all, that he hath no sin, he is a Liar. Or is it never fall totally from God? No, the preservation of the Elect, of whom he speaks, from total Apostasy, is not suspended on such conditions, especially not on any degree of them, such as their abounding imports. But it is that they shall not fall into their old sins from which they were purged, v. 9. Such Conscience wasting, and defiling sins, as they lived in, in the time and state of their Unregeneracy. Thus though there be in the Covenant of Grace through Jesus Christ, Provision made of abundant supplies for the souls preservation from entangling sins; yet their Administration hath respect unto our diligent attendance unto the means of receiving them appointed for us to walk in.

and he that sayes, when he hath done all, that he hath no sin, he is a Lyar. Or is it never fall totally from God? No, the preservation of the Elect, of whom he speaks, from total Apostasie, is not suspended on such conditions, especially not on any degree of them, such as their abounding imports. But it is that they shall not fall into their old sins from which they were purged, v. 9. Such Conscience wasting, and defiling sins, as they lived in, in the time and state of their Unregeneracy. Thus though there be in the Covenant of Grace through Jesus Christ, Provision made of abundant supplies for the souls preservation from entangling sins; yet their Administration hath respect unto our diligent attendance unto the means of receiving them appointed for us to walk in.

And here lies the latitude of the New Covenant; here lies the exercise of renewed Free-will. This is the field of free voluntary obedience under the Administration of Gospel Grace. There are extremes which in respect of the event it is not concerned in. To be wholly perfect, to be free from every sin, all ⟨p. 20⟩failings, all infirmities, that is not provided for, not promised in this Covenant. It is a Covenant of mercy and pardon, which supposeth a continuance of sin. To fall utterly and finally from God, that is absolutely provided against. Between these two extremes of absolute perfection, and total Apostasy, lies the large Field of Believers obedience and walking with God. Many a sweet heavenly passage there is, and many a dangerous depth in this field. Some walk near to the one side, some to the other; yea, the same person may sometimes press hard after Perfection, sometimes be cast to the very border of destruction. Now between these two, lye many a soul-plunging sin, against which no absolute provision is made, and which for want of giving all diligence to put the means of preservation in practice, Believers are oftentimes overtaken withal.