A53721:844
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.
2. Thankfulness for Grace received is one of the principal duties that is incumbent on Believers in this World. Now how can a man in faith bless God for that which he is utterly uncertain whether he have received it from him or no. I know some men run on in a Road in this matter. They will bless God in a formal way, for their Regeneration, Sanctification, Justification, and the like: But if you ask them whether themselves are regenerate or no, they will be ready to scoff at it, or at least to profess that they know no such thing. What is this but to mock God, and in a presumptuous manner to take his name in vain: But if we will praise God, as we ought for his Grace, as we are guided and directed in the Scripture, as the nature of the matter requires, with such a frame of heart as may influence our whole Obedience, surely it cannot but be our duty to know the Grace that we have received.
3. Again the main of our Spiritual watch, and diligence, consisteth in the cherishing, improving, and increasing of the Grace that we have received; the strengthening of the new Creature that is wrought in us; Herein consists principally the Life of faith, and the exercise of that Spiritual Wisdom which faith furnisheth the soul withal. Now how can any man apply himself hereunto, whilst he is altogether uncertain whether he hath received any principle of Living, Saving Grace, or no? whereas therefore God requires our utmost Diligence, Watchfulness, and Care in this matter, It is certain that he requires also of us, and grants unto us, that which is the foundation of all these duties which lies in an Acquaintance with that state and condition whereunto we do belong. In brief there is nothing, we have to do in reference unto Eternity, but one way or other, it hath a respect unto our light and convictions, as to our State and Condition in this World. And those who are negligent in the trial and Examination thereof, do leave all things between God and their souls at absolute ⟨p. 342⟩uncertainties, and dubious hazards; which is not to lead the Life of Faith.