A53721:835
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.
3. This is that we say; it may be known in the Sedulous use of means appointed for that end, to a man's self and others, which of the Conditions mentioned he doth belong unto; that is, whether he be regenerate or no, so far as his or their concernment lies therein. This I say may be known and that infallibly and assuredly with reference unto any duty wherein from hence we are concerned. The discharge of some duties in our selves and toward others, depends on this knowledge, and therefore we may attain it, so far as it is necessary for the discharge of such duties unto the Glory of God. Now because it is not directly in our way, yet having been mentioned I shall briefly in our passage touch upon the latter, or what duties do depend upon our Judging of others to be regenerate, and the way or Principles whereby such a Judgement may be made.
1. There are many duties incumbent on us to be performed with and towards Professors; which without admitting a Judgement to be made of their State and Condition cannot be performed in faith. And in reference unto these duties alone it is that we are called to Judge the State of others. For we are not giving Countenance unto a rash uncharitable censuring of mens spiritual conditions, nor unto any Judging of any men, any other than what our own duty towards them, doth indispensably require. Thus if we are to lay down our lives for the Brethren, it is very meet we should so far know them, so to be, as that we may hazard our lives in faith when we are called thereunto. We are also to Join with them in those Ordinances wherein we make a Solemn profession that we are members of the same body with them, that we have the same head, the same Spirit, faith and love: We must love them because they are begotten of God, Children of our heavenly Father; and therefore must on some good ground believe them ⟨p. 338⟩so to be. In a word, the due performance of all principal mutual Gospel Duties, to the Glory of God and our own Edification, depends on this supposition, that we may have such a satisfying persuasion concerning the spiritual condition of others as that from thence we may take our aim, in what we do.