Exposition of Psalm 130, Exposition · Verse 4 · Section 1
Propositions or Observations from the former Exposition of the words. The first proposed to confirmation. No encouragement for any sinner to approach unto God, without a discovery of forgiveness.
Doctrinal Observations from V. 4.From the words unfolded as they lye in their contexture, in the Psalm, the ensuing Propositions do arise.
1. Faiths discovery of forgiveness in God, though it have no present sense of its own peculiar interest therein, is the great supportment of a sin perplexed soul.
2. Gospel Forgiveness, whose discovery is the sole supportment of sin distressed souls, relates to the gracious heart, or good will of the Father, the God of forgiveness, the propitiation that is made by the blood of the Son, and free condonation or pardon according to the tenor of the Covenant of Grace.
3. Faiths discovery of Forgiveness in God, is the sole bottom of adherence to him, in acceptable Worship and reverential obedience.
The first of these, is that whose confirmation and improvement I principally aim at; and the other only so far as they have a coincidence therewith, or may be used in a subserviency to the illustration or demonstration thereof.
In the handling then of this truth, that it may be of the more advantage unto them whose good is sought, and intended in the proposal and management of it, I shall steer this course, and shew,
1. That there is not the least encouragement to the soul of a sinner to deal with God without this discovery.
2. That this discovery of forgiveness in God is a matter great, holy and mysterious; and which very few on Gospel abiding grounds, do attain unto.
3. That yet this is a great, sacred and certain Truth, as from the manifold Evidences of it, may be made to appear.
4. That this is a stable supportment unto a sin distressed soul, shall be manifested; and the whole applyed, according to the several concernments of those who shall consider it.
No approaching unto God, without a discovery of forgiveness.First, There is not the least encouragement for the soul of a sinner, to entertain any thoughts of approaching unto God without this discovery. All the rest of the world, is covered with a deluge of wrath. This is the only Ark whereunto the soul may repair and find rest. All without it, is darkness, curse and terror.
We have an instance and example of it, beyond all exception in Adam. When he knew himself to be a sinner, and it was impossible for him, as we shall shew afterwards, to make a discovery of any such thing as forgiveness with God, he laid aside all thoughts of treating with him; the best of his foolish contrivance was for an escape; Gen. 3. 10. I heard thy voyce (saith he to God) in the Garden, and was AFRAID, because I was naked; and I HID my self. Nothing but thou shalt dye the death, founded in his ears. In the morning of that day, he was made by the hand of God: a few hours before, he had converse and communion with him, with boldness and peace; why then doth nothing now but FEAR, Flying and HIDING possess him? Adam had sinned, the Promise was not yet given, no Revelation made of forgiveness in God, and what other course, than that vain and foolish one, to fix upon, he knew not. No more can any of his Posterity without this Revelation. What else any of them hath fixed on in this case, hath been no less foolish than his hiding; and in most, more pernicious. When Cain had received his sentence from God, it is said he went out foreign from the presence or face of the Lord, Gen. 4. 16. From his providential presence he could never subduct himself: So the Psalmist informs us at large, Psal. 139. 7, 8, 9. The very Heathen knew by the light of nature, that guilt could never drive men out of the reach of God.
Quo fugis Encelade, quascun que accesseris oras
Sub Jove semper eris.
They knew that foreign (the Vengeance of God) would not spare sinners; nor could be avoided, Acts 28. 4. From Gods Gracious Presence, which he never enjoyed, he could not depart. It was then his Presence as to his Worship; and all outward acts of Communion that he forsook, and departed from. He had no discovery by faith, of forgiveness, and therefore resolved to have no more to do with God, nor those who cleaved to him; for it respects his course, and not any one particular action.
This also is stated, Isa. 33. 14. The sinners in Sion are afraid, fearfulness hath surprised the Hypocrites; who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? The persons spoken of are sinners, great sinners and Hypocrites; conviction of sin, and the desert of it was fallen upon them; a light to discern forgiveness they had not; they apprehend God as devouring fire and everlasting burnings only; One that would not spare, but assuredly inflict punishment according to the desert of sin; and thence is their conclusion, couched in their Interrogation, that there can be no entercourse of peace between him and them; there is no abiding, no enduring of his Presence. And what condition this consideration brings the souls of sinners unto, when conviction grows strong upon them, the Holy Ghost declares, Mich. 6. 6, 7. Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and how my self before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with Calves of a year old? will the Lord be pleased with thousands of Ramms, or with ten thousands of Rivers of Oyl? shall I give my first born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? Sense of sin presseth, forgiveness is not discovered, (like the Philistins on Saul, Samuel not coming to his direction) and how doth the poor creature perplex it self in vain, to find out a way of dealing with God? Will a sedulous and diligent observation of his own Ordinances and Institutions relieve me; Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings and Calves of a year old? Alas thou art a sinner, and these Sacrifices cannot make thee perfect or acquit thee, Heb. 10. 1. Shall I do more than ever he required of any of the Sons of men? O that I had thousands of Ramms, and ten thousands of Rivers of Oyl to offer to him? Alas, if thou hadst all the Bulls and Goats in the world, it is not possible that their blood should take away sins, v. 4. But I have heard of them who have snatched their own Children from their Mothers breasts, and cast them into the fire, until they were consumed, so to pacifie their consciences in expiating the guilt of their iniquities; shall I take this course? Will it relieve me? I am ready to part with my first born into the fire, so I may have deliverance from my Transgressions. Alas, this never came into the heart of God to approve, or accept of. And as it was then, whilst that kind of Worship was in force, so is it still as to any duties, really to be performed, or imaginarily. Where there is no discovery of forgiveness; they will yield the soul no relief, no supportment; God is not to be treated upon such terms.