Psalms 32

REFLECTIONS UPON PSALM XXXII.—Dreadful is the nature of sin! It, and nothing else, renders us miserable. But rich is the grace of God, and efficacious the merit of Jesus’ blood, which freely removes it. And justification through his imputed righteousness effectually promotes integrity and holiness of heart and life! But the remains of sin must be purged out by sore troubles and wounding convictions. For there is a close connection between gospel repentance and pardon of sin. It is not, however, our repentance, but God’s mercy in Christ as the atonement, that is the cause of our pardon. Hopeful is a sinner’s case when he is once brought to humble applications to a gracious God, who is more ready to pardon than we are to pray for it. They who seek him, even in trouble, shall surely find him; the more imminently terrible their danger, the more shall his grace and love be magnified in their salvation. And it is no small encouragement to their seeking of God in their distress, that others like themselves, have found mercy in like cases. But great is the protection, preservation, deli- 67 73* verance, instruction, and direction, which God bestows upon his pardoned ones, while the impenitent are loaded with sorrows everlasting and unnumbered. It is necessary then to receive his instructions, and to bend before his warnings, that we may rejoice in his mercy and triumph in his praise