(2.) This discovery of forgiveness in God, with the effects of it before mentioned, will produce a resolution of waiting on God for X>eace and consolation in his own time and way. " He that believeth shall not make haste," Isa, xxviii. 16. Not make haste, to what? Not
Ver. 4.] EFFECTS OF FORGIVENESS DISCOVERED, 423
to the enjoyment of the thing beheved. Haste argues precipitation and impatience; this the soul that hath this discovery is freed from, resohing to wait the time of God's apjoointment for peace and con- solation. God, speaking of his accomplishment of his promises, saj^s, " I the Lord will hasten it," Isa. Ix. 22. Well, then, if God will hasten it, may not we hasten to it? " Nay," saith he, " I will hasten it, but in its tune."" All oppositions and impediments considered, it shall be hastened, but in its time, its due time, its appointed time. And this the soul is to wait for ; and so it will. As when Jacob had seen the beauty of Rachel, and loved her, he was contented to wait seven years for the enjoyment of her to be his wife, and thought no time long, no toil too hard, that he might obtain her; so the soul having discovered the beauty and excellency of forgiveness as it is with God, as it is in his gi'acious heart, in his eternal purpose, in the blood of Christ, in the promise of the gospel, is resolved to wait quietly and patiently for the time wherein God will clear up unto it its own personal interest therein. Even one experimental embrace- ment of it, even at the hour of death, doth well deserve the waiting and obedience of the whole course of a man's life.
And this the psalmist manifests to have been the effect produced in his hetirt and spirit; for upon this discovery of forgiveness in God, he resolved both to wait upon him himself, and encourageth others so to do.
(3.) This prepares the soul for the receiving of that consolation and deliverance out of its pressures, by an evidence of a special in- terest in forgiveness, which it waiteth for: —
[1.] For this makes men to hearken after it. It makes the soul like the merchant who hath great riches, all his wealth, in a far country, which he is endeavouring to bring home safe unto him. If they come, he is well provided for; if they miscarry, he is lost and undone. This makes him hearken after tidings that they are safe there; and, as Solomon says, " Good news," in this case, " from a far country, is as cold waters to a thirsty soul," Prov, xxv, 25, — full of re- freshment. Though he cannot look upon them as his own jet abso- lutely, because he hath them not in possession, he is glad they are safe there. So is it with the soul. These riches that it so values are as to its apprehensions in a far country. So is the promise, that " he shall behold the land that is very far off," Isa. xxxiii. 1 7. He is glad to hear news that they are safe, to hear forgiveness preached, and the pro- mises insisted on, though he cannot as yet look upon them as his own. The merchant rests not here, but he hearkeneth with much solicit- ousness after the things that should bring home his riches, especially if they have in them his all. Hence sucli ships are called shijjs of desire, Job ix. 26. Such a man greatly desires the speeding of them
424 AN KXPOsrnoN upon psalm cxxx. [Ver.4.
to their port. He considers the wind and the weather, all the occa- sions, and inconveniences, and dangers of the way; and blame him not, — his all is at stake. Tlie soul doth so in like manner : it hear- keneth after all the ways and means whereby this forgiveness may be particularly brought home unto it; is afraid of sin and of temptation, glad to find a fresh gale of the Spirit of grace, hoping that it may bring in his return from the land of promise. This prepares the heart for a spiritual sense of it when it is revealed.
[2.] It so prepares the soul, by giving it a due valuation of the grace and mercy desired. The merchantman in the gospel was not prepared to enjoy the pearl himself, until it was discovered to him to be of great price; then he knew how to purchase it, procure it, and keep it. The soul having, by this acting of faith, upon the dis- covery of forgiveness insisted on, come to find that the pearl hid in the field is indeed precious, is both stirred up to seek after possession of it, and to give it its due. Saith such a soul, " How excellent, how precious is this forgiveness that is with God! Blessed, yea, ever blessed, are they who are made partakers of it ! What a life of joy, rest, peace, and consolation do they lead ! Had I but their evidence of an interest in it, and the spiritual consolation that ensues thereon, how would I despise the world and all the temptations of Satan, and rejoice in the Lord in every condition ! " And this apprehension of grace also exceedingly prepares and fits the soul for a receiving of a blessed sense of it, so as that God may have glory thereby.