PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 11
Thomas Manton · 316,591 words · 316 reading sections
Section 181
282 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. [SeR. XIV. coldly set iipoa the practice of Christianity. Let us depend upon God's promise, as Paul: 2 Tim. iv. 18, 'And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom he glory for ever and ever, amen.' 5. There are certain ordinance…
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6. Providences are sanctified to this use, as helps and occasions of subduing sin ; as afflictions, which do remove the occasions and sub- tract the fuel of sin, and awaken seriousness for the future : Isa. xxvii. 9, ' By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit to take away his s…
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(2.) This purpose may be extorted, not the effect of thy judgment and will, as inclined to God, but only of thy present fear, awakened in YeU. 14.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. 285 thee ou some special occasion. Many are frightened into a little reli- giousness, but the humour lasts not long : Ps. Ixxviii. 36, ' Neverthe-…
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But when may we be said to omit our watchfulness ? [1.] When we grow bolder with sin, and the temptations and occasions of it, and think we have so good a command of ourselves, and can keep within compass well enough, though we cast ourselves upon tempting objects and occasions unnecessarily, and without a call. Surel…
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[3.] It is not for a time, but perpetual. It concerneth us not only to stand out against the first assault, but a long siege. What Satan cannot gain by argument, he seeketh to gain by importunity ; but ' re- sist him, steadfast in the faith,' 1 Peter v. 9 ; as Joseph's mistress spake to him day by day, Gen. xxxix. 10. …
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VOL. XI. T 290 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI, [SeR. XV. thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back, and cover that which Cometh from thee. For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee ; therefore shall thy camp be holy, that he see no unclean thing in the…
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3. Against what we must watch. [L] Grenerally against the three grand enemies of our salvation, the devil, the world, and the flesh. (1.) Against Satan ; for he hath laid his ambushes and enterprises against us continually, and by his spiritual nature hath advantages of being near us, when we are little aware of him …
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VeR. 14.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. 293 constant government over your senses and appetites, how shamefully will you miscarry ! Therefore, as you love your souls, you must 'abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,' 1 Peter ii. 11. For whilst you keep gratifying and pleasing the flesh by the excess of lawful…
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(3.) Against all appearance of evil : 1 Thes. v. 22, ' Abstain from all appearance of evil.' Some things, though not apparently evil, yet they have an ill aspect, as being unsuitable to the gravity of our holy calling, or the strictness of our baptismal vow and covenant made with Christ, or as being things not practise…
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296 SERMONS UPON EOMANS VI. [SeR, XV. reatus, macula. The fault is continued as long as the act is repeated ; you are in danger of this till the breach be made up between God and you ; as Lot doubled his incest, the orifice of the wound was not yet closed ; and Peter doubled and trebled his denials, whilst the temptat…
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Secondly, For striving, this is required of us also ; for we are bidden ' to stand against the wiles of the devil,' Eph. vi. 11, ' To withstand, that after all we may stand,' ver. 13. A stout and peremptory resistance of Satan's temptations is required of us in order to victory. The more we yield to sin, the more it ty…
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(4.) ' The shield of faith,' which covereth the whole body, a sound belief of the mysteries of the gospel, and the promises thereof, especi- ally a clear sight of the world to come. They that have such a faith see a sure foundation to build upon. On the one side the righteous- ness of Christ, or the promises of the gos…
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[1.] From the evangelical state negatively proposed, ' Because we are not under the law,' as if we were exempted from the rule of the law because we are exempted from the rigour of it. [2.] From the evangelical state positively proposed, ' But under grace.' (1.) The grace of justification ; we may indulge sin, since …
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302 SERMONS UPON EOMANS VI. [SeR. XVI. appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is ; and he that hath this hope purifieth himself as he is pure ; ' Eph. v. 27, * That he might present it (the church) to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy…
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2. The second doctrine abused is exemption from the rigour and curse of the law, ' Ye are not under the law, but under grace.' There- fore men take a liberty to sin ; they are not under the law. But we must distinguish how we are, and how we are not, under the law. [1.] We are still under the law as a rule of obedienc…
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(2d.) Christ never came to establish this liberty ; for he came to VeR. 15.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. 305 bring us back again in heart and life to God, from wliom we had fallen, to fit us to obey the law of God, by healing our natures : Heb. viii. 10, ' This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, a…
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(2.) The danger of backsliding is often represented to believers to increase their caution ; as Christ said to his own disciples, John xv. 6, ' If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered^ and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.' The danger of apostasy is repre…
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(3.) This title, as matters are carried in the world, is either volun- tary contract, or consent, or plain conquest, getting another into his power. By voluntary contract one is a servant that bargaineth with another to serve him ; either wholly, that selleth himself as a slave, or in part for such services and ministr…
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JDoct. That it greatly concerneth Christians to consider upon what they bestow or employ their time, service, and obedience. This will be evident by these considerations — 1. That the great business which belongeth to our duty is the choice of a master, or to consider to what we must addict ourselves, and upon what w…
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VeR. 16.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VL 311 saving grace. All men would be liappy ; none can be happy but by ■Christ. When we count all things dung and dross that we may gain Christ, then we are really converted. Now before this, here is some knowledge, some assent, some value for Christ. Do not these things make a middle es…
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[4.] That by yielding ourselves to obey either of these, we become servants to the one or the other. If we yield ourselves to obey sin, we are servants of sin ; and by yielding ourselves to obey God, we be- come servants of God. (1.) I shall speak of sin's servants, and two things I shall say of them — (1st.) That th…
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(2.) Of obedience unto righteousness ; that is, if we be the faithful servants of God, we shall have the reward of eternal life ; not only non-condemnation, or freedom from eternal death, but the everlasting possession of glory and blessedness. There is none of us can say that God bids us serve him for nought or to his…
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4. To continue your resolution of obeying God, you should oftea consider of two things — what is past and what is to come. [1.] What is past, the fruit of serving sin and obeying God. The fruit of serving sin. Alas ! we cannot look back without shame and blushing : Rom. vi. 21, ' What fruit have you of these things wh…
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1. Their past estate, They had been servants of sin, that is, lived long in a course of sin : John viii. 34, ' Whoso committeth sin, is the servant of sin ; ' that is, whosoever doth voluntarily and ordinarily indulge sin, and goetli on in an open course of sinning, he is a servant or slave to sin ; for he doth not, ye…
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VeR. 17.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. 319 thanksgiving, it must be thus : Since the condition of the servants of sin is so miserable, God be thanked that you have escaped it. [2.] From whom he expects this thankfulness. I answer — (1.) It doth excite their thanksgiving ; he exciteth them to give thanks for this blessed …
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Secondly, Here is a description of their present state by grace, which deserveth to be weighed by us. In it I observe — 1. That the doctrine of the gospel is in conversion imprinted on them ; for it is said, that they have obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine into which they were delivered. Their very heart and …
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(2.) It preventeth vain thoughts. What is the reason evil is so ready and present with us ? Because our hearts are not stocked with the knowledge of heavenly truths. Vain thoughts cannot be prevented un- less the word dwell richly in our hearts. If a man have many brass farthings, and but a few pieces of silver, he wil…
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[2.] The comfort and sweetness is in keeping and obeying: P.s. xix. 11, 'In keeping thy commandments there is great reward ;' not only hereafter, but now. There is a sweetness in knowing ; for all truth, especially heavenly truth, is an oblectation of the mind ; but there is more in keeping and obeying, because practic…
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2. We are chiefly to give thanks for spiritual mercies. They much excel those which are temporal and transitory ; therefore if there be a just esteem of the mercies we pray God for, we will bless God for them : Eph. i. 3, ' Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual b…
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4. We must bless God not only for our own conversion, but the conversion of others. The body of Christ is the more completed : 1 Cor. xii. 14, ' The body is not one member, but many.' The glory of God is concerned in it : Rom. i. 8, ' First I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of t…
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328 SEllMONS UPON ROMANS VI. [SeR. XIX. Cor. X. 13, ' There hath no temptation taken you but such as is avOpoi- TTw^o?, human, or common to men ; ' 2 Sam. vii. 14, ' I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men ; ' that is, not in rigour, but with a gentle and fatherly hand. 2. …
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[1.] More pleasant, because it implieth a rectitude and harmony in the soul of man ; it is a feast to the mind to do those things that are good and holy. The heathens saw it, ra heovra irpdrTeiv, &c. It breeds serenity. Surely much of the happiness of a man is to enjoy himself, which a wicked man cannot do whilst his s…
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Vers. 18, 19.] sermons upon Romans vi. 331 servants of righteousness.' There is an order in our deliverance, and one part conduceth to another ; for righteousness and the conscience of our duty can have no hold on us till the power of our lusts be broken. As soon as we are freed from the slavery of sin, we are in part…
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[2.] That in exact proportion even this equitable rule will not always hold good. Why ? Because in corrupt nature our principles were entire, but in our renewed estate they are mixed : Gal, v. 17, ' The flesh lusteth against the spirit ; ' there is a counterpoise to the life of grace, therefore our evil works were mere…
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5. Tliey stop])ed at no sin : ' Ye yielded your members to unclean- ness, and to inicpiily unto iniquity.' From habitual sin they i)roceeded to actual, from one kind to another, rested not in the lust or purpose, 334 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. [SeR. XIX. • but were still accomplishing what their lusts craved at their ha…
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2. That the government of God is not for the ruler's benefit, but the subject's welfare. It is as the physician's prescriptions, the pilot's steer- age to direct us to our happiness, the parent's education : Deut. v. 29, ' Oh ! that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments…
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4. Though all the unregenerate are void of righteousness, yet they are not all alike sinful. There is a difference between unrenewed men ; some are more, some less gross in the outbreaking of their sin ; some are more filthy, but ' all are gone out of the way ; there is none that doeth good, no not one,' Ps. xiv. 3, Th…
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Secondly, Why this should be so. 1. Let us consider the equity as to matter of right ; it should be so. i VeR. 20.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. 339 2. The necessity as to matter of evidence ; it must be so. 3. The conveniency as to matter of benefit. 1. The equity as to matter of right. All rules of equity will oblig…
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2. The necessity in point of evidence ; hereby we show that we have utterly shaken off the yoke of sin ; otherwise it will remain as a nice debate whether your change be sincere or no. It is certain you did much for sin ; conscience is sensible of that. The only sen- sible evidence of your change is when the vigour and…
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342 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. [SeR. XX. are long wavering ere they fully resolve. They see all is not well with them, and that they are not in a safe condition to appear before Grod in the judgment, and they have many persuadings of the Spirit of God, and their own consciences reasoning the case with them ; and under th…
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SERMON XXL What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those thijigs is death. — Rom. VI. 21. The apostle pursueth his argument, why they should be as free from sin as formerly they were from righteousness, by comparing the two services together, the service of sin and the servic…
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VeR. 21.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. 345 late, the sinner crieth out, What have I done ? Esau, when he had sold the birthright, sought it afterwards with tears, Heb. xii. 16, 17. Judas, when the treason was over, he saw the worthlessness of the price for which he sold his master : Mat. xxvii. 4, ' I have sinned, in that …
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Use 2. To prevent acts of sin for the time to come. It is good often to put this question, Cui hono f ' What doth it ? ' Eccles. ii. 2. What shall I gain by those vain delights and sinful practices ? To take pains to no purpose is folly, to an ill purpose is unnatural and self-destruction. Ask what doth it ? To my body…
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(1.) The penitential shame continueth and increaseth imder the greatest assurance of forgiveness, and dieth not when we think we are out of danger ; the other is presently after the commission of sin, and while the guilt reraaineth ; as David grew shy of God, Ps. xxxii. after lie got his discharge, and his sins were pa…
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(3.) The new nature, which is contrary to sin: Ps. xcvii, 10, 'Ye that love the Lord hate evil ;' There is odium offensionis, et odium inimicitice, a hatred of offence, and a hatred of enmity. (4.) Their seriousness. Before the deluded soul is so taken up with fleshly pleasm-es, and deluding objects, that they had no …
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(1.) At the day of judgment. Shame is properly <\)6^o(i BiKaiov Xoyov, a fear of a just reproof, and that chiefly from one in authority, most of all from the judge of the world. TJais is principally intended, not shame of face before men, so much as shame of conscience, a loathness to come into God's presence : Gen. ii…
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2. They consider it not: Prov. ix. 18, 'He knoweth not that the dead are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell;' it is rendered as a reason why the fool counteth ' stolen waters sweet, and bread eaten in secret pleasant ;' these carnal delights are taken by stealth, neither allowed by God nor approved by…
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Vol XL 2 354 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VL [SeR. XXII. 1. Because of the present fruit, sanctification or holiness, which daily increasing in them, breedeth comfort and confidence, and will never be matter of shame to them. 2. Because of the final issue ; eternal life is the consummation of it. The matter doth not rest in …
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[2.] He will assure him of his love : John xv. 10, ' If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.' Holiness and obedience, as it is an evidence of our love to Christ, so it is a means of keeping up the sense and assurance of his love to us. Holy …
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VeR. 22] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. 357 pleasant : Rom. xv, 13, ' Now the Grod of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost ; ' 1 Peter i. 8, ' Whom having not seen, ye love, in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unsp…
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7. Those that have their fruit to holiness, all their mercies and com- forts are more sweet, because they have them from God's love, and they use them for his glory. [1.] They have their worldly blessings from God's love. A covenant- right is surely much sweeter than a "bare providential right : ' 1 Cor. iii. 22, 23, …
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2. They which have their fruit unto holiness have the best temper and constitution of soul of any men in the world ; they have a new and divine nature, which inclineth them to the noblest objects and ends : 2 Peter i. 4 ; nothing below God can satisfy them. Their ends are the glorifying of God, and the eternal enjoymen…
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5. That excellency which is more intrinsic puts a truer honour upon us than that which is extrinsic and foreign ; as we do not value a horse by his trappings, but by his mettle and vigour. A corpse may be laid in state, and sumptuously adorned, but there is no life within. Crowns and garlands may be put upon an image ,…
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[2.] Of holiness, purity of heart and life, a recompense worthy of your labours, how dearly soever gotten : Heb. xii. 10, ' They verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure, but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.' [3.] Of eternal life. They are true servants of God who make …
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[2.] Compare it with the life of grace, which puts us into some degree of communion with God ; but this doth not exempt us from miseries, rather sometimes exposeth us to them : 2 Tim. iii. 12, * Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall sufi"er persecution.' Yea, we often provoke God to hide his -f ace fr…
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[3.] It is an endless and everlasting life. Such as are once possessed of it shall never be dispossessed again. If man be designed to enjoy a chief good, and this chief good must content all our desires, it must also be so firm and absolutely immutable as to secure us against all our fears ; for a fear of losing would …
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'3. All that have their fruit to holiness are capacitated for this blessed estate. 1st. They earnestly desire this blessed estate, 'they hunger and thirst after righteousness,' after a larger measure of Grod's sanctifying grace, or likeness to God, Mat. v. 6. The thirst after honour, great- ness, and preferment in the…
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2d. Some want it in act, do not revive upon themselves the remem- brance of the blessed hope, or keep their hearts in heaven as much as they should do, because they lose their taste, or sufi'er it to be interrupted and deadened by worldly cares and voluptuous living. When the heart runneth out inordinately after secula…
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VeR. 23.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. 371 (2.) As they are the final issue of men's several ways ; the one as well as the other is the fruit of men's foregoing course here upon earth. Sin is punished by death, and holiness rewarded by eternal life : Gal. vi. 8, ' For he that soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap co…
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Use 1. See how God doth beset us on every side. To fence and bound us within our duty there is a threatening of eternal death ; to invite us to go on in our way, the promise of eternal life and glory. Surely both motives should be effectual ; our whole life is a flight from wrath to come, and a running for refuge to ta…
1,003 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1870); OCR text from Internet Archive. OCR may contain scanning/transcription errors. Verify quotations against page images when precision matters.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.