Owen - BT795 O84 1800Z

SELF- CONDEMNATION. 65 they are brought into depths and anguish about any sin, and are forced to the acknowledgment of it, are at the same time little concerned for their other follies and ini- quities, which, it may be, are no less provoking to God; "let not such a man think that he shall receive any thing from God." It must be full and comprehensive, as well as free and ingenuous. Of such importance is.the right performance of this duty, that the promise of pardon is often peculiarly annexed to it, as that which certainly carries along with it the other duties which make up a full returning unto God. Prov. 28: 13; 1 John, 1 : 9; Job, 33 : 27, 28. III. There yet remainsself-condemnation, with thejusti- fication of God, which lies expressly in the words of the verse under consideration. And in this are two parts. 1. Self -abhorrence or dislike. The soul is nowwholly displeased with itself, and reflects upon itself with re- gret and trouble. So the apostle declares it to have been with the Corinthians, when their godly sorrow was working in them. 2 Cor. 7 : 11. Among other things, it wrought in them indignation and revenge ; or a reflection on themselves, with all manner of dislike and abhorrence. In the winding up of the controversy between God and Job, this is the point he rests in. As he had come in general to a free, full, ingenuous acknowledgment of sin, chap. 40 : 4, 5 ; so in particular he gives up his whole contest in this abhorrence of himself, " I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ash- es." " What a vile wretched creature have I been," saith the soul, " I blush and am ashamed to think of my folly, baseness, and ingratitude ; is it possible that I should deal thus with the Lord l I abhor, I loathe my- self; I would fly any where from myself, I am so vile; a thing to be despised of God, angels and men." 2. There is self-judging in it also. This the apostle

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