A53721:873
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.
4. To give a little further support in reference unto our wretched miserable duties, and to them that are in perplexities on that account, know that Jesus Christ takes out whatever is evil and unsavoury out of them, and makes them acceptable. When an unskilful servant gathers many herbs, flowers and weeds in a Garden, you gather them out that are useful, and cast the rest out of sight. Christ deals so with our performances. All the ingredients of self that are in them on any account, he takes away, and adds Incense to what remains, and presents it to God, Exod. 28. 36. This is the cause that the Saints at the last day when they meet their own duties and performances, they know them not, they are so changed from what they were when they went of their hand. Lord, when saw we thee naked or hungry, so that God accepts a little, and Christ makes our little a great deal.
4. To give a little further support in reference unto our wretched miserable duties, and to them that are in perplexities on that account, know that Jesus Christ takes out whatever is evil and unsavoury out of them, and makes them acceptable. When an unskilfull servant gathers many herbs, flowers and weeds in a Garden, you gather them out that are usefull, and cast the rest out of sight. Christ deals so with our performances. All the ingredients of self that are in them on any account, he takes away, and adds Incense to what remains, and presents it to God, Exod. 28. 36. This is the cause that the Saints at the last day when they meet their own duties and performances, they know them not, they are so changed from what they were when they went of their hand. Lord, when saw we thee naked or hungry, so that God accepts a little, and Christ makes our little a great deal.
5. Is this an Argument to keep thee from believing? The Reason why thou art no more Holy, is because thou hast no more faith. If thou hast no holiness, it is because thou hast no saith; Holiness is the purifying of the heart by faith; or our Obedience unto the Truth. And the reason why thou art no more in duty, is because thou art no more in believing; the reason why thy duties are weak and imperfect, is because thy faith is weak and imperfect. Hast thou no holiness, believe that thou mayest have; hast thou but a little, or that which is imperceptible, be steadfast in believing that thou mayest abound in Obedience. Do not resolve not to eat thy meat until thou art strong, when thou hast no means of being strong, but by eating thy bread, which strengthens the heart of man.