A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

2. That this is always known to others. It is not known unto Unregenerate men in respect of them that are so. For they know not really and substantially what it is to be so. Natural men perceive not the things of God; that is, spiritually, in their own light and nature, 2 Cor. 2. And as they cannot aright discern the things which put men into that condition, (for they are foolishness unto them,) so they cannot Judge aright of their persons in whom they are. And if they do at any time Judge aright nationally concerning any things or Persons, Yet they do not Judge so upon right grounds, nor with any Evidence in or unto themselves of what they do Judge. Wherefore Generally they Judge amiss of such persons; And because they make profession of somewhat which they find not in themselves, they Judge them Hypocrites, and false pretenders unto what is not. For those things which evince their Union with Christ, and which evidence their being born of God, they savour them not, nor can receive them. Nor is this always known unto, or discerned by them that are Regenerate. They may sometime with Peter think a Simon Magus to be a true believer; or with Eli an Hannah to be a daughter of Belial. Many Hypocrites ⟨p. 337⟩are so set forth with gifts, common Graces, Light and profession that they pass amongst all believers for such as are born of God. And many poor Saints may be so disguised under Darkness, Temptation, Sin, as to be looked on as strangers from that family whereunto indeed they do belong. The Judgement of man may fail, but the Judgement of God is according unto Righteousness; wherefore,

2. That this is alwayes known to others. It is not known unto Unregenerate men in respect of them that are so. For they know not really and substantially what it is to be so. Natural men perceive not the things of God; that is, spiritually, in their own light and nature, 2 Cor. 2. And as they cannot aright discern the things which put men into that condition, (for they are foolishness unto them,) so they cannot Judge aright of their persons in whom they are. And if they do at any time Judge aright nationally concerning any things or Persons, Yet they do not Judge so upon right grounds, nor with any Evidence in or unto themselves of what they do Judge. Wherefore Generally they Judge amiss of such persons; And because they make profession of somewhat which they find not in themselves, they Judge them Hypocrites, and false pretenders unto what is not. For those things which evince their Union with Christ, and which evidence their being born of God, they savour them not, nor can receive them. Nor is this alwayes known unto, or discerned by them that are Regenerate. They may sometime with Peter think a Symon Magus to be a true believer; or with Eli an Hannah to be a daughter of Belial. Many Hypocrites