PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 12
Thomas Manton · 320,280 words · 319 reading sections
Section 1
PRINCETON, N. J. Manton, The complete Manton .Mj} 1870 V. li; Thomas, 1620-1677. works of Thomas Shelf- t'f- ^■\/'.. •, •••• i^Cf. THE WORKS OF THOMAS MANTON, D.D. VOL. XII. I I COUNCIL OF PUBLICATION. "W. LINDSAY ALEXANDER, D.D., Professor o£ Theology, CoDgregational Union, Edinburgh. JAMES BEGG, D.D., M…
900 wordsSECTION 2Section 2
tabernacle were dissolved," ver. 1, . . 423 „ II. " For we know, that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved/' &c., ver. 1, . 431 „ III. " For we know, that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved," &c., ver. 1, . 442 „ IV. " For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed up…
1,045 wordsSECTION 3Section 3
2. This Spirit is had, or said to be in us. We have not only the fruit, but the tree. But how have we him ? We have a right to his person, he is given to us in the covenant of grace, as our sanctifier ; as God is ours by covenant, so is the Spirit ours, as well as the Father and the Son ; and he is present in our heart…
943 wordsSECTION 4Section 4
[1.] The radication is set forth by the notions of the Spirit's dwelling in us: John xiv. 17, 'He shall be in you, and dwell in you.' Its resting upon us : 1 Pet. iv. 14, ' The Spirit of God and of glory rest upon you.' He taketh up his abode with us: John xiv. 23, ' We will come to liim, aud make our abode with him.' …
903 wordsSECTION 5Section 5
[4.] The necessity of having the Spirit appeareth, in that without b.im we can do nothing in Christianity from first to last ; it is the Spirit uniteth us to Christ, and planteth us into his mystical body : 1 Cor. xii. 13, ' By one Spirit we are baptized into one body ; ' it is by the Spirit we give up ourselves to God…
946 wordsSECTION 6Section 6
(2.) The pouring out of the Spirit was the visible evidence given to the church of the sufficiency of Christ's satisfaction. When God was reconciled, then he shed forth the Spirit: Acts ii. 33, ' Therefore being at the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath s…
1,016 wordsSECTION 7Section 7
(4.) The sanctifying Spirit is the surest note of our reconciliation with God, as that which will not deceive us ; when he sanctifieth, he is pacified towards us: Heb. xlii. 20, 21, 'Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlast…
1,114 wordsSECTION 8Section 8
10 SERMONS UPON EOMANS VIII. [SeR. XII. astonisliiuent, because so much wisdom, love, and grace was discovered in it, Eph. iii. 17-19. (2.) Consent must be often renewed to that covenant by which the Spirit is dispensed. Often enter into a resohition to take God for your God, for your sovereign lord, your portion and …
1,141 wordsSECTION 9Section 9
12 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XIII. the fiiith of the Son of God.' Where he is, he makefh us to live ; aad we have another principle of our lives than ourselves or our own natural or renewed spirit. Secondly, Likeness or renovation of oui- natures : Gal. iv. 19, ' Until Christ be formed in you.' The image of Chri…
1,007 wordsSECTION 10Section 10
Secondly, I come now to the concession, ' The body is dead, because of sin.' Here observe the emphasis of the expression, ' the body is dead ; ' not only shall die, or must die, but is dead. He expresseth himself thus for two reasons, first, because the sentence is passed : Gen. ii. 17, Heb. ix. 27, ' It is appointed f…
977 wordsSECTION 11Section 11
(3.) The cause of this mortality is, ' Because of sin.' Had it not been for sin, we had never had cause to fear dissolution ; there had been no use for cofiSns and winding sheets ; nor had we been beholden to a grave, to hide our carcase from the sight and smell of the living ; there was a posse mori in innocency, else…
935 wordsSECTION 12Section 12
(2.) The meritorious cause is the righteousness of Christ ; or the pardon of our sins, and the justification of our persons by the blood and merits of Jesus Christ. When once forgiven, we are out of the reach of the second death : 1 Cor. xv. 56, ' The sting of death is sin.' We are freed from the damning stroke, not th…
964 wordsSECTION 13Section 13
2. To die comfortably. Christianity affordetli the proper comfort against death, as it is a natural and penal evil ; a natural evil it is, as it puts an end to present comforts ; it is a penal evil too, as it maketh way for the final judgment, Heb. ix. 27. Heathens could only teach them to submit to it out of necessity…
928 wordsSECTION 14Section 14
[2.] For the way and manner of bringing it about. ' By his Spirit that dwelleth in us.' Where take notice, first, of the relation of the Holy Spirit to God ; secondly, his interest in, and nearness to us. (1.) His relation to God. He is called his Spirit, and the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead, that is,…
926 wordsSECTION 15Section 15
(2.) That this divine power belongeth in common to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who being one and the same God, concurred in the same work ; and whatever is done by the Father or Son, is done by the Spirit also ; and whatever is done by the Spirit, is done by the Father and Son also. As for instance, apply it to the re…
961 wordsSECTION 16Section 16
22 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XIV. US by the Kedeemer through the covenant of grace : Tit. iii. 5, 6. Our glorious being, whicli is considered either as to soul or body ; as to soul, 'the Spirit is life because of righteousness;' as to body, the words of the text. Well then, the Holy Ghost is the operative love o…
1,055 wordsSECTION 17Section 17
(2.) The use for which the Holy Spirit and saving graces bestowed ou them serveth, is to be the earnest of the inheritance. An earnest is a pledge, or first part of a payment, which is an assurance or security that the rest of the whole price shall not fail to follow; so the Spirit and his graces is the earnest given b…
996 wordsSECTION 18Section 18
VeR. 11] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 25 of practical religion is to bring us to love the pleasures that are proper to the immortal soul, above the sottish and brutish pleasures of the body. Well then, was religion intended only to make a great part of us miserable, which part yet is the workmanship of God's hands, when …
913 wordsSECTION 19Section 19
Use 1. Let us give up ourselves to the Holy Spirit as our sanctifier ; set open your hearts, that he may come into them as his habitation ; do not receive him guest-wise in a pang, or for a turn, or in some solemn duty; but see that he dwelleth in you as an inhabitant in his house. A man is not said to dwell in an inn,…
910 wordsSECTION 20Section 20
[2.] An assertion that we are debtors. [3.] An instance or exemplification, to whom we are debtors. The negative is expressed, 'not to the flesh, to live after the flesh ;' and the affirmative is implied, and must be supplied out of the context, ' to the Spirit,' to live in obedience to the Holy Spirit. 1. The infere…
911 wordsSECTION 21Section 21
[1.] His being a creator maketh him an owner. We have nothing but what we have from God ; nothing that we ourselves can keep one moment without God ; and therefore we have nothing but what is for God ; for we hold it at his will and pleasure : Ezek. xviii. 4. ' All souls are mine ; ' and Prov. xvi. 4, ' God hath made a…
1,102 wordsSECTION 22Section 22
[4.] I shall add one proposition more, that this debt and obligation cannot be dissolved ; for as long as we depend upon God in being and operation, so long we are bound to God. Man hi\i\\ principmm etfintm, a principle upon which he dependeth, and an end to which he is appointed ; a superior to whom he is subject, and…
1,097 wordsSECTION 23Section 23
[2.] The benefit of this spiritual new being itself, or our regeneration, inferreth it; for we are justified and sanctified, and by both obliged, and also inclined to live unto God. Obliged, for these benefits of Christ's righteousness and Spirit given to us, are such excellent benefits, that for them we owe our whole …
1,017 wordsSECTION 24Section 24
34 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XV. are debtors to the flesh, or to the spirit. If you spend your time iu making provision for the flesh, to fulfil the hists thereof, Eom. xiii. 14, you are debtors to the flesh. If you check the flesh, and tame it, cut off its provisions, though now and then it will break out, you …
1,075 wordsSECTION 25Section 25
[4.] The debt is increased by every benefit which we receive from God : Luke xii. 48, ' To whom much is given, of him shall much be required ; and to whom men have committed much, of him will they ask more.' As our gifts increase, so doth our debt ; as our debt, so doth our account ; they that have received most, are b…
905 wordsSECTION 26Section 26
By way of confirmation. 1. That tliis threatening is every way consistent with the wisdom, and goodness of God. 2. The certainty of its being accomplished and fulfilled. First. By way of explication. 1. What is meant by flesh. [1.] The flesh is sometimes taken for the natural bodily substance, that corporal mass we …
1,234 wordsSECTION 27Section 27
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 39 may be brought with au evil mind : Prov. xxi. 27. The devil careth not what means we use, so he may have his ends ; that is, to keep men in a carnal condition. [3.] That make it their scope, end, and happiness. That is our scoj)e and end that solaceth om- minds, and sweeteneth o…
976 wordsSECTION 28Section 28
Secondly. Now, by way of confirmation, we must show the fit connec- tion between these two things, the carnal living, and this terrible death ; and there we must show you, — [1.] That this threatening is everyway consistent with the justice, and wisdom, and goodness of God. [2,J Since it is threatened, the certainty of…
1,019 wordsSECTION 29Section 29
o 42 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VUf. [SeR. XVI. If we refuse this Spirit that is offered to change our natures, and lift us up from earth to heaven, and we will not be changed and healed, but wallow in this filth and puddle still, we are doubly culpable for not doing our duty, and refusing our remedy. But you will say, the…
1,058 wordsSECTION 30Section 30
(2.) The wisdom of God lietli in this, that the love of pleasure, which is the root of all sin, should end in a sense of pain. Man is a very slave to pleasure : Tit. iii. 3, ' Serving divers lusts and pleasures.' It is engrained in our natures ; therefore to check it, the Lord hath threatened the pains of the second de…
927 wordsSECTION 31Section 31
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UrON ROMANS VUI. 45 to their flesh and sin, as they are tliemselves, and would have him to be. [2.] His luialterable truth. ' God cannot he,' Tit. i. 2. Though the tlu-eatening in the present judgment doth not always show the event, but merit, yet it follows afterwards ; for the scripture must he fu…
948 wordsSECTION 32Section 32
The second Use is to dissuade you from this course. To this end I shall lay down some motives, and some means. 1. Motives are these. [1.] You think the flesh is your friend, do all that you can to please it ; whereas indeed it is your greatest enemy. That it is one of your enemies is clear, by that place where all ou…
923 wordsSECTION 33Section 33
48 SERMONS UPON UOMANS VIII. [SeK. XVII. enemies agaiast whom we are to figlit, aud a necessity laid upon us of killing them, or being killed by them. It is our great fault that we made con.science of our solemn vow no sooner ; surely we should no longer dispute it now: 1 Pet. iv. 3, 'For the time past of our life may…
1,094 wordsSECTION 34Section 34
[6.] What vile unthankfulness it is, and a great abuse of that liberty which we have by Christ : Gal. v. 13, ' Ye are called to liberty, only use it not as an occasion to the flesh.' We have a great liberty to use our worldly comforts, with a respect to God's glory, and as encourage- ments of God's service, and for the…
903 wordsSECTION 35Section 35
from above is earthly, sensual, devilish ;' it hindereth us from discern- ing the reality of our hopes, and from having a true sense of our duty impressed upon our hearts : 1 Cor. ii. 14, ' But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him ; neither can he know them, bec…
968 wordsSECTION 36Section 36
(5.) Kefer all things to your ultimate end ; and consider whether what you do doth hindei- or further you therein ; for all things are to be regarded and valued as they conduce to God's service and your salvation: Eccles. ii. 2, 'What doth it?' 1 Cor. x. 31, 'Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, let all be don…
1,000 wordsSECTION 37Section 37
54 SKUMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XVIII. sciences of ourselves and others may be polluted to idolatry, anger, inordinate affection of the heart to any creature, E[)h. v. 5. So hy murder, not only when it proceedeth to blood, Ijut hatred, variauce, strife, heresies, Mat. v. 21, 22. So in shoit, emulation, and affectat…
917 wordsSECTION 38Section 38
[1] The object, ' the deeds of the body,' that is, our sins. So called, (1.) Because siii is compared to a body: Rom. vii. 24, 'Who shall deliver me from this body of death?' and Col. ii. 11, 'In putting off the body of the sins of the flesh.' There is besides the natural body, a body of corruption, which doth wholly c…
1,175 wordsSECTION 39Section 39
[3.] There is the mortification of the hypocrite, which is an outward forbearing evil, though they do not inwardly hate it ; which proceedeth from divers causes :— (1.) Because they have no inclination to some sins ; or rather, a greater inclination to other sins, which intercept the nouiishment by which these sins sh…
940 wordsSECTION 40Section 40
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON KOMiVNS VIII. 59 sia ; the reign of it is broken, that it cannot with such strength bring forth the deeds of the body. (2.) By the continual and renewed influence of his grace. He doth more and more weaken the power of sin : Mic. vii. 19, ' He will have compassion on us, and subdue our iniquitie…
1,051 wordsSECTION 41Section 41
[4.] There is a daily and ordinary course of mortification ; and a solemn extraordinary setting about this work in special seasons. The daily course is needful, because sin is at continual work in our hearts; and as soon as a christian neglects his soul, the effects do soon appear. In this sense, a christian must die d…
937 wordsSECTION 42Section 42
62 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VJil. [SeK. XVIIL [2.] Our relation to him, both by external profession, and real implantation, both bind us to mortify sin. (1.) External profession obligeth us to die unto sin ; it was a part of our baptismal vow, and we quite nullify and frustrate the intent of that ordinance, unless we mort…
940 wordsSECTION 43Section 43
[3.] The sad consequence of letting sin alone. When sin is not mortified, it groweth outrageous, and never ceaseth acting till it hath exposed us to shame before God, men, and angels; or hardeneth us in a carnal, careless course. Lusts let alone end in gross sins, and gi'oss sins in a casting off all religion. Love of …
945 wordsSECTION 44Section 44
(3.) That we may increase it. Grace is not only donum, a gift to be preserved ; but ialentum, a talent to be improved and increased upon our hands, that we may be the more fit to glorify God. This ajjpeareth by the many excitations in scripture to growth: 2 Pet. iii. 18, 'But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our …
1,365 wordsSECTION 45Section 45
[2.] As there is abundance of sin, so it is active and stirring even after some progress in mortification. It is enticing, vexing the new nature, urging to evil, opposing that which is good ; it is warring, working, always present with us, that the best christians grow weary of themselves: Kom. vii. 24. ' Oh wretched m…
1,369 wordsSECTION 46Section 46
2. Consider the several ways liow this root sprouteth forth. Two are mentioned by the apostle in the fore-cited place : Gal. v. 24, 'With the affections and lusts,' 7ra^j;/iocrt, passions; iinOvixiai,^, affections; the first word noteth vexing passions, the next desirable lusts. There ore two dispositions in the soul o…
938 wordsSECTION 47Section 47
3. As to actual temptations, when they stir indwelling sin, complaia of the violence to God : Rom. vii. '24, ' Oh wretched man that I am ! Who shall deliver me from this body of death? ' Bemoan yourselves to him who alone can help you, and is ready to do so, — when you are afraid of doing anything contrary to your duty…
937 wordsSECTION 48Section 48
[4.] In case of great spiritual deadness. The heart hath too freely conversed with sin, and so groweth less apt for God: Ps. cxix. S7, ' Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken me in thy ways;' and Heb. ix. 14, ' How much more shall the blood of Christ purge your consciences from dead woi-ks to serve the…
1,113 wordsSECTION 49Section 49
4. It being our duty, we must use the means which tend to morti- fication. For to dream of a mortification which shall be wrought in us without our consent or endeavours, as well whilst we are sleeping, as whilst we are waking, is to delude ourselves with a vain fancy. No, we must set a careful watch over our thoughts,…
942 wordsSECTION 50Section 50
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 75 to it, as having contrary operations and tendencies. Now how doth this new hfe discover its enmity ? Partly by complaining of it, as a sore burden and annoyance: Rom. vii. 24, '0 wretched man that I ira ! who shall deliver me from this body of death ? ' Paul was whipped, scourged…
1,213 wordsSECTION 51Section 51
Secondh/. Tlie necessity of this concurrence and co-operation, — 1. Of the Spirit with us. 2. We by the Spiiit. 1. Of the Spirit's work. We cannot, without the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body. [1.] From the state of the person who is to be renewed and healed. A sinner lying in a state of defection from God, one…
1,114 wordsSECTION 52Section 52
[2.] Wc must. For two reasons, — (1.) That God may apply himself to us in our way. (2.) That we may apply ourselves to God, and meet him in his way. (1.) That God may apply himself to us in our way. God being our creator, doth preserve the liberty of his workmanship ; he applieth himself to every creature according …
953 wordsSECTION 53Section 53
[I.] It is an obligation. This was Christ's end, and we must not put our Redeemer to shame : 1 John iii. 8, ' For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil ; ' • that the interest of the devil might be destroyed in us, and the interest of God set up with glory and triumph.…
992 wordsSECTION 54Section 54
[3.] Use the appointed means by which the Spirit worketh. Tliere are means of obtaining the Spirit at first, by the word and prayer. The Spirit is conveyed by some doctrine ; for God's operative power is applied to man as a reasonable creature, not for necessity. For the word: Gal. iii. 2, ' Eeceived ye the Spirit by t…
996 wordsSECTION 55Section 55
VeR. 13.] • SERMONS UPON ROMANS Viri. 8B the apostle's scope, that justified persons shall not be condemned, but glorified, because of the life of the Spirit in them. Secondhj. To confirm the point ; — 1. By Scripture. The offer of eternal life is every where propounded in scripture, as the great encouragement of all…
1,124 wordsSECTION 56Section 56
(1st.) How addicted soever men are to any outward thing, yet to preserve life, they will deny themselves : Job. ii. 4, ' Skin for skin, and all that a man liatli will he give for his life.' It was a truth, though it came out of the devil's mouth. Nothing is so dear to a man as his own life ; men will spend all tliat th…
986 wordsSECTION 57Section 57
Tkirdhj, I will show you the expediency of the promise ; and that we may make use of such a motive as is drawn from the consequence, — the death which followeth the carnal life, and that eternal life which by the merciful grant of God is the fruit of mortification. For many question whether it be a true mortification w…
1,051 wordsSECTION 58Section 58
4. There is a threefold use of the reward of life in this work of mortification. [1.] To quicken a backward heart, which hangeth off because we are loath to come under so severe a discipline. Sorrow for sin is trouble- some to the flesh, but the reward sweeteneth it. A carnal man tliiuketh that if he should give up hi…
1,063 wordsSECTION 59Section 59
[2.] Compare it with life spiritual ; this is like it but difTereth from it ; it is a blessed and perfect life. First, it is a blessed life, free from all miseries ; all tears are wiped from our eyes, and sorrow and pain shall be no more ; we shall always be before the throne of God, and behold the glory of Christ, and…
953 wordsSECTION 60Section 60
6. Serious covenanting with God, or devoting ourselves to him : 1 Pet. iv. 12, ' Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind ; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin ; that he should no longer live the rest of his time in the flesh to the l…
925 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.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.