A53721:846
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.
We shall now upon these premises return unto that part of the Objection which is under consideration. Say some; We know not whether we are regenerate or no, and are therefore altogether uncertain whether we have an interest in that forgiveness that is with God; nor dare we on that account admit of the consolation that is tendered on the Truth insisted on.
We shall now upon these premises return unto that part of the Objection which is under consideration. Say some; We know not whether we are regenerate or no, and are therefore altogether uncertain whether we have an interest in that forgiveness that is with God; nor dare we on that account admit of the consolation that is tendred on the Truth insisted on.
Supposing what hath been spoken in general, I shall lay down the grounds of resolving this perplexing doubt in the ensuing Rules.
RULE I. 1See that the persuasion and Assurance hereof which you look after and desire be regular, and not such as is suited merely unto your own Imaginations. Our second and third General Rules about the nature of all spiritual Assurance, and what is consistent therewithal, are here to be taken into consideration. If you look to have such an Evidence, Light into, and absolute conviction of this matter, as shall admit of no doubts, fears, questionings, just occasions and causes of new trials, teachings, and self-examinations, you will be greatly deceived. Regeneration induceth a new principle into the soul, but it doth not utterly expel the old; some would have security, not Assurance. The principle of sin and unbelief will still abide in us, and still work in us. Their abiding and their acting must needs put the soul upon a severe enquiry whether they are not prevalent in it beyond what the condition of Regeneration will admit. The constant conflicts we must have with sin, will not suffer us to have always so clear an Evidence of our condition as we would desire. Such a persuasion as is prevalent against strong objections to the contrary, keeping up the heart to a due performance of those duties in faith which belong unto the state of Regeneration, is the substance of what in this kind you are to look after.