PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 12
Thomas Manton · 320,280 words · 319 reading sections
Section 61
1. The Spirit performetb the office of a guide and leader to the godlj'. The Spirit giveth us life, motion, and direction — these three things are inseparable in nature and grace ; life, motion, and conduct. The same causes which make us live, make us act. The creature dependeth upon God in his motion, as well as his …
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[3.] The necessity of it ; because we are unable to guide ourselves : 'the way of man is not in himself,' Jer. x. 23 ; ' it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.' The metaphor of leading is taken from the blind or the weak; the blind who cannot see their way, must have one to lead them ; and the lame, who tho…
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[5.] The parts and branches of this leading are two ; First, His restraining motions for the mortifying of sin, and his inviting motions for the perfecting of holiness. He teacheth us, as he leadeth us into all truth, what we are to reject, what to believe in religion. Again, what is to be left undone in the practice o…
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VeR. 14.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIU. 97 whatever resolution we take, whatever enterprize we would bring to pass, we are always bound to depend upon the Holy Ghost ; the Spirit must still lead us and move us in all our operations. [2.] The great mischief which will ensue, if we obey not his sanctify- ing motions and ins…
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[3.] This is a great privilege; that will appear if we consider our present relation to God, or our future inheritance. (1.) Our present relation to God: 1 John iii. 1, 'Behold what love the Father hath showed us, that we should be called the children of God.' We are his children ; and God is, as our father, pleased t…
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» 100 SEUMONS UruN ROMANS VIII. [SeK. XXI. Answer, 1. Continually desire his assistance and powerful conduct: Luke xi. 13, ' If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him ? ' It is pleasing to God : 1 Kings iii.…
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3. The impression left upon the heart of man, et? (f>ol3ov, unto fear. There is a twofold fear, filial and servile, child-like and slavish. The one is a lawful and necessary fear, which doth quicken us to our duty : Phil. ii. 12, ' Work out yoiir salvation with fear and trembling ; ' and is either the fear of reverence…
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(3.) In some the Lord may make use of it to bring on conv'ersion ; for according to our sense of sin and misery, so is a saviour and redeemer welcome to u.s, and prized by us. There must be a sensible awakening knowledge of our great necessity, before we will make use of Christ for our cure and remedy. None but the sic…
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VeR. 15.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 105 ye would ; but if ye be led by ihe Spirit, ye are not under the law.' As spirit and flesh do hist against, and constantly oppose one another, and labour to suppress and diminish each other, so do law and grace. Tliose that are slaves to their sinful lusts, and are not enabled by…
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[3.] That it is an ill frame of spirit tt> be cherished or rested in. For while men are under the sole and predominant influence of it, they are never converted to God ; fear doth begin the work of conversion, but love maketh it sincere. The Spirit by fear doth awaken men to make them see their condition, terrifying th…
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108 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIIJ. [SeR. XXII. iJie heir difFereth nothing, or nothing to speak of, from a servant, yet in time he behavcth liimself as a son, and is treated as a son; and they get more comfort and joy in the service of God. But the pre- dominant legality is in the carnal ; it may be known hy the governing …
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[2.] It breaketh our courage in owning the ways of God, and truths of God. The apostle when he presseth Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, nor his servants, and to be partakers of the afflictions of the gospel, — urgeth this argument, 2 Tim. i. 7, 8, ' For we have not received the spirit of fear, b…
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VeR. 15.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. Ill wonder of his love and good will to sinners, manifested to us in and by Jesus Christ. 4. Live holily, and obey the motions of the sanctifying Spirit. We deprive ourselves of comfort by falling into sin ; the more tlie Spirit is a sanctifier, the more a comforter. Holiness breed…
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[3.] The estate wherein his grace found us, when he was pleased to take us into his family. We were by nature children of wrath, wretched children, Eph. ii. 3, that had deprived ourselves of the inheritance, wasted our patrimony, forfeited our right to the promises ; but our . VeR. 15.] BKRMONS UPON ROMANS VIIl. 113 …
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But yet the business is not finished. The Spirit is called the Spirit of adojition, from his use aud efi'ect ; and implieth that work of the Holy Spirit whereby the souls of believers are framed to a son-like disposition. One effect is mentioned in the text, his inclining us to have recourse to God as a Father : ' The …
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116 SERMONS UPON ROMANS Vllt. [SeR. XXIII. 3. Whether all that live under the new testament dispensation, have the spirit of adoption ? Answer. No ; But take these considerations : [1.] This sliowetli what the doctrine of tlic gospel can do. and should do : But it dotli not always do it, because many come under the …
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(2.) There are child-like groans, as well as child-like comforts; com- pare Kom. viii. 26, ' The Spirit itself maketli intercession for us, with sighs and groans, which cannot be uttered ; ' with 1 Pet. i. 8, ' In whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeak- able, and full of glory.' In…
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Use 1. To peisuade us to look after the spirit of adoption. We never do seriously and closely christianize, till we get it ; but either have a literal Christianity, a form of knowledge in the gospel, without the life and power ; or a legal, old-testament spirit. To quicken you, consider these motives or privileges whic…
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(2.) Steep your minds in frequent thoughts of God's fatherly good- ness : 1 John iii. 1, ' Behold what manner of love is this, that we should be called the 'sons of God ! ' Consider it, and admire it ! Use 2. Reflection. Have we the .spirit of adoption ? It is known, — [1.] By a kind of naturalness to come to God, an…
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1. The person adopting : the great and glorious God, who is so far above us, so happy within himself, and ncedeth not us, nor our choicest love and service ; who had a Son of his own, Jesus Christ the only begotten of the Father, who thought it no robbery to be equal with him in power and glory, Phil. ii. 6 ; a son tha…
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[2.] Before God's eternal purposes could be executed, and conveniently made|known to the world, redemption by Christ was necessary. There- fore it is said. Gal. iv. 4, 5, that he was ' made of a woman, made xmder the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.' Sin needed to be expiated by the Son of God in ou…
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VeR. 16.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIll. 125 daily maintenance, which he vouchsafeth to the fowls of the air, and beasts of the field ; yea, to his enemies, while they are sinning against him, dishonouring his name, oppressing his servants, opposing his interest in the world. He that feedeth a kite, will he not feed a chil…
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(2.) As renewed. By nature conscience is blind, partial, stupid ; but by grace it is made pure, tender, pliant, and more able to do its office. The Spirit is not said here to witness to our heart, but to our spirit ; that is, to conscience as renewed and sanctified. Now such a conscience implieth these things, — First,…
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(3.) He helpeth us to discern this work in our souls more clearly. Conscience doth its part to discover it ; and the Spirit of God doth his part ; namely, as he helpeth us to know and see that grace which he giveth and actuatelh in us ; for he revealeth ' the things given us of God,' 1 Cor. ii. 12, not only in the gosp…
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[1.] We cannot pray without it. For the text is brought to prove that they have a sj)irit within them, which inclineth them to cry, Abba, Father. Surely it is a great advantage in prayer, to be able to say, Isa. Ixiii. 16, ' Doubtless thou art our father ; ' and again, Isa. Ixiv. 8, ' But now. Lord, thou art our father…
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1. The dignity inferred is, lliat we are heirs. The inheritance belonging to children, jure nascendi, all children are not necessarily heirs, but only males, and among them the tirst born ; hut jure adop- fionis, they that are adopted, are adopted to some inheritance. So here, ' if children, then heirs ; ' be they sons…
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Doct. That all God's children aie heirs of a blessed and glorious inheritance. I shall show you, — 1. The agreement between common heirs and them. 2. The difference. 3. Those properties which show the greatness of the inheritance. First, The agreement ; in these things : • 1. There is an inheritance provided. We ha…
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Secondlj. Wherein they disagree. 1. It is an inheritance not lessened by the multitut?e of co-heirs: God is an infinite portion, that cannot be divided, and sufficeth the whole world. In other heritages many a fair stream is drawn dry, by being dispersed into several channels ; but here the more company, the greater t…
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[1.] By him, for Christ is the heir of all things ; and we can have no title but by and through him. He hath the whole inheritance in his power, and the absolute disposing of all the good things which belong to it : John xvii. 2, ' Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as…
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2. It informeth us tliat it is a safe way upon the observation of the saving effects of God's Spirit in ourselves, to conclude that we are in an estate of grace, even the adopted children of God. For so doth the apostle reason in this place: They are children of God; how is it known ? By the work and witness of the Spi…
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2. Let us live always in the desire of it ; that desire that will quicken you to look after it, Phil. iii. 14, and to seek after it in the first place. Mat. vi. 33 ; that desire that will quicken you to long for the enjoyment of it, Phil. i. 23. 3. To comfort yourselves with the hope of it: Rom. v. 2, 'And rejoice in …
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2. The inequality between them : ' They are not worthy to be com- pared,' ovK a\i,a ■7Tpo<; rijv fxeWovcrav Bo^av ; not worthy to future glory, not worthy to be set the one against the other, as bearing no proportion. 3. The conclusion or judgment of the apostle in this case. The word Aoyt^o/j-ai, is emphatical, and i…
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[3.] Temporal good with eternal evil. Many succeed well in a way of sinning here, live without any remarkable blast and stroke of God's 142 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XXVI. judgment; but how is it witli them in the otlier world? Momentum est quod delecfat, etemum quod cruciaL Heb. xi. 25, ' Tlie pleasures of sin…
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[4.] As they are short, so they are light. Leveset breves. The scripture often joineth them together : '2 Cor. iv. 17, ' This light affliction which is but for a moment.' They are light, just so they are short in compari- son of eternal glory ; as of short continuance if compared with eternity, so of small weight if co…
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[7.] Our sufferings dishonour us in the sight of the world, but this glory maketh us amiable in the sight of God. For having such a near VeR. 18.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 145 relation to God, and being made like him, we are qualified for a perfect reception of bis love to us ; we love God more in the glorified esta…
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ZZse. Now I must show you the use of this doctrine. Firsl. Certainly it is useful for the afflicted in auy sort, whatever their troubles and afflictions be. 1. For common evils : — [1] Are you pained with sickness, and roll to and fro in your bed, like a door on th^ hinges, for the weariness of your flesh .'' In hea…
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148 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeE. XXVII. SERMON XXVII. For the earnest expectation of the creature tvaitcth for the manifestation of the sons of God. — Eom. VIII. 19. The apostle's intent in this parapjraph is to set forth the excellency of that glory which shall be revealed in the children of God. The argu- ment …
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Secondly. How it suiteth with the apostle's scope ? I answer : The apostle intendeth three things, — 1. To set forth the excellency of our hopes. 2. To raise up expectation. 3. To persuade the necessity of patience in the meantime. The present argument is serviceable to all these uses. 1. It showeth that there is an e…
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[2.] Their life is hidden : Col. iii 3, ' Our life is hidden with Christ in God.' Hidden not only in point of security, as maintained by an invisible power ; but in point of obscurity ; there is a veil upon it. How so ? Partly, because the spiritual life is hidden under the veil of the natural life ; it is a life withi…
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VeR. 19.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS Vlir. 153 now ; their sonship entitleth them to a miserable portion in the world's estimation, who know not, consider not things to come. 2. From whom they are hidden. Not from God, who ' knowetli those that are his,' 2 Tim. ii. 19 ; not from Christ, who died for them, and liath their na…
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[2.] God hath chosen this way to advance his glory, that he may perfect his power in our weakness, 2 Cor. xii, 9. By wants and weak- nesses his fatherly love appeareth to us, more than in an absolute and total exemption from them. God would not so often hear from us, nor would we have such renewed experiences to revive…
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156 SERMONS UPON KOMANS VHI. [SeR. XXVII. fire ; not by annihilation, but a change of qualities ; only for the better, as that was for the worse. 6. What use this restored world serveth for, we need not anxiously enquire ; whether to be a jierpetual monument of the wisdom, power, and goodness of the creator (the crea…
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SEKMON XXVII. For the creature luas made suhject to vanity, not willinghj, hut hj reason of Mm luho hath subjected the same in hope. — Rom. VIII. 20. Here is the reason why the creature waiteth- with earnest expectation for the consummate state of the faithful : because it is for the present in a disordered estate, s…
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4. Vain in regard of its end and use. There is a double end and use : [1.] Nextly and immediately. This sublunary world was made to be a commodious habitation for man: Ps. cxv. 16, ' The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's ; but the earth hath he given to the children of men.' By an original grant, God gave the u…
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(1.) It is a part of their vanity that they are made to serve man in a state of corruption, and the most wicked of the kind, that refuse to come out of the apostasy and defection from God. The creatures natu- rally take the part of the creator, — are to be accounted friends or enemies to us, as God is ; for the scriptu…
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VOL. XII, L 162 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XXVIL it be put by its natural use, it hath a resemblance of violence. There- fore if you take vanity for the disorder or perishing of the creature,, you may say, not willinghj; for all tilings tend naturally to their own pre- servation ; irad so what tendeth to its des…
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(3.) His mercy during the day of his patience. In the midst of judg- ment he remembereth mercy. Though there be much vanity in the creatures, yet there is still a usefulness in them to mankind. Though the air might poison us, and the earth swallow us up, and the mouth of the great deep vomit forth an inundation of wate…
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Use 1. To teach us the evil of sin. Man by sin brought a curse upon YeU. 20.] SKRMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 1G5 himself, upon his posterity, and upon all the creatures ; that is it we are upon ; sin disordered the whole lyorld ; therefore let us work our hearts to a detestation and abhorrence of it. We see how highly God…
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Use 4. Let us seek after restitution by Christ. The covenant made with God in Christ doth secure us against the hurt of the creature : Job V. 23, ' For thou shalt be in a league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee ; ' and Hosea ii. 18, ' And in that day I will make a co…
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1. Whatever came in by sin, will be utterly destroyed ; as thorns, thistles, poisonous weeds: Gen. iii. 17, 18, 'Cursed is the ground for thy sake, thorns and thistles shall it bring foi-th to thee.' The reason is, when the cause is taken away the effect ceaseth. If the curse of God upon the earth be a part of man's pu…
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Use. It showeth us three things : 1. The certainty of our hopes. There is hope tliat the creature at length shall be delivered into a state agreeing with the future glory of God's children. Therefore much more is their deliverance to be hoped for by the children of God themselves. For if these dumb insensible things b…
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1. To our duty ; and so our liberty must be stated by these four things. [1.] It must be such a liberty as becometh a creature who is in subjection to God. It is not a power to live as we list, but a power to live as we ought. To afiect a power to live as we list, and to be accountable to none, is to revive the arroga…
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[4.] It must be such a liberty as bringeth us nearest to the state of innocency, which is man's first estate ; and the state of glory, which is his last and most perfect state. Now this doth consist in a freedom VeR. 21.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 173 from the power of sin ; the liberty of innocency was posse non pec…
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[2.] Their rights and prerogatives. First, They have a right to serve God with a ready and free will, and on comfortable terms : Luke i. 74, 75, ' That being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our lives;' Ps. li. 12, 'Ees…
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[2.] Spiritual liberty is consistent enough with corporal bondage. Paul was in prison when Nero was emperor of the world ; many that are taken into the liberty of God's children are not freed from outward servitude : 1 Cor. vii. 21, 22, ' Art thou called being a servant ? Care 17G SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XXVII…
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3. The consort and harmonious agreement that is between all the parts of the world ; iraa-a rj KriaK ' the whole creation' collectively, or every creature distributively ; they all groan together, and travail in pain together. 4. The duration and continuance, ' until now ; ' that is, from the time that sin entered int…
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VeR. 22.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 179 have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horsei? ; I have made the stink of your camp to come up into your nostrils.' God hath variety of ways to punish man in blasting the creature ; and on all the occasions the land appeareth as in a mourning weed ; and the barren…
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3. They are instructive groans ; for they teach us many good lessons. [1.] They teach us the vanity of the creature, which is now often changed, and must at length be dissolved. To a common eye this world seemeth to be in its highest splendour and beauty, because worldly men judge of things by their carnal affections:…
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[5.] A lecture of repentance and solemn humiliation. If the creature groan under original vanity and corru])tion, brought upon it by the first sin, — sin being wonderfully increased, the world is ready to sink under the weight of it ; therefore when sin increaseth, it is a groaning time ; the multitude of the wicked ai…
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(2.) Though many of these creatures shall be consumed in this last fire, yet they shall have an esse cognitum, in the memory and conscience of the sinner, though not an esse rei, an actual existence. And thus the wine abused to drunkenness may witness against the drunkard ; the sacrilegious morsels which the glutton al…
922 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.