PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 12
Thomas Manton · 320,280 words · 319 reading sections
Section 181
[2.] The act. It is the complacency and well-pleasedness of the soul in God as an all-sufficient portion. This implieth— (1.) A desire or earnest seeking after God in the highest way of enjoyment we are capable of here ; and so those mercies are most valued which are nearest to himself, and show us most of God, and do…
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280 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XXXVIII. love hath so filled the hearts of men that there is no room, or little room, left for the love of God or our neighbour ; hut yet there is a measure set how we should love our neighbour, but we cannot over-love God ; there all the heart, all the soul, all the might ; it is m…
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I answer, 1. The apostle speaketh of the children of God, and children will love their father. What more natural ? what mor& kindly ? They are regenerated and sanctified by the Spirit for this end : Gal. iv. 6, ' Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into, your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.' An…
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7. These believers and called ones are considered as afflicted, and his purpose is to arm them against the bitterness of the cross. Nothing VeR. 28.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 283 ■80 fit for this use as love ; if we did love God, the burden of afflictions would be light and easy to be borne, because it is from God i…
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2. Others have a deliberate resolution, and seem for the present absolutely and seriously to please God in all things, and keep his com- mandments ; but they do not verify it in their conversations. Their purposes and resolutions are not dissembled for the present, but yet soon changed ; they neither keep the commandme…
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(1.) Though the works of creation and providence reveal a God, yet these natural apostles, sun, moon, and stars, say nothing of Christ, and there is salvation in no other. Acts iv. 12. They did teach the world that there is a God, and that this God must be served, and will be terrible to those that serve him not ; and …
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[2.] Internal, not only by the word, but by his Spirit, and the checks of their own conscience, which is a nearer approach of his grace and power to us. By the motions of his Spirit ; how else could it be said, Gen. vi. 3, ' My Spirit shall not always strive with man ' ? and Acts vii. 51, ' Ye do always resist the Holy…
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VOL. XII. ' T 290 SERMONS UPON BOMANS VIII. [SeR. XXXVIII. pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.' And not only in the ofiers of pardon, but eternal life and blessedness, so infinitely be- yond the false happiness that our carnal self-love inclineth us unto, that it is a shame and disgrace to our reason…
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(6.) This calling bringeth us into such an estate as intituleth us to the peculiar and special protection of God. We are his charge, that .he may guide all things about us for his own glory and our good. This is intimated in the text. When once you believe God's offers, and yield hearty obedience to them, you are a pec…
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2. The great misery, if we refuse this call. ' None of those that were bidden shall taste of my supper,' Luke xiv. 24. They are not only excluded from happiness, but are under extreme wi-ath and misery : Prov. i. 24-26, ' Because I have called, and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded, but ye h…
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Many notes might be observed in this clause. 1. We are behokUng to God's eternal election and purpose for all the good that we get by affliction and other providences ; for God's purpose is the supreme reason assigned in the description of the per- sons who have an interest in this privilege. We love God because we be…
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5. To promote this faith and holiness, and to preserve them till their glorified estate, God's providence about them is very remark- able. [1.] He contriveth means to bring them into the world. Many of their parents may be wicked, and deserve to be cut off for their sins, but because there is a blessing in some of the…
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[4.] In blessing the means, quite besides the purpose and intention of the parties that receive benefit by them, as appeareth by the circum- stances of their conversion and first acceptance of Christ ; many times they come where they may hear of God and Christ, with careless and slight spirits, or drop in by chance, as…
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2. All good is of God : 1 Cor. iv. 7, ' Who maketh thee to differ ? and what hast thou, that thou hast not received ? ' and Jer. xxiv. 7, ' I will give them a heart to know me.' It is his grace maketh the differ- ence : Mat. xiii. 11, ' It is given you to know the mystery of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not…
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1. The way God took in bringing his children unto glory, by con- formity to Christ, in these words — To bejconformed to the image of his Son. 2. The grounds of this conformity, set forth by two words, fore- hnowledge and 'predestination — Whom he did forekno^u, he also did predestinate. 3. The reason of this conformi…
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Doct. That the elect are in time distinguished from others by being conformed to the image of Christ. 1. Wherein this conformity to Christ consisteth. 2. Why this is the distinction between the elect, or called according to purpose, and others. First, Wherein this conformity to Christ consisteth. I answer, In three …
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[3.] This is a sign of our communion with Christ : 1 John ii. 6, ' He that saith be abideth in him ought also to walk as he walked.' If his Spirit be precious to you, is his example of no regard ? Do you value his benefits and slight his holiness ? It is a sign you esteem him for your own turns. You love Christ the sav…
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VOL. XII. u 306 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XXXIX. God's favour, and made capable of happiness ; therefore all the heirs of promise are predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son, or to God appearing in their nature. 2. Because they are all called after Clirist's name, christians from Christ. Now all …
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[3.] This example showeth what will be the issue and success of a life spent in patience and holiness. Christ, when he had fulfilled all righteousness, and suffered what was necessary for our redemption, went home to God, and entered into that glory he spake of, and was received up into heaven as the reward of his obed…
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1. The foundation is laid in the new birth, and the change wrought in us by regeneration. The Son of God was conceived by the opera- tion of the Holy Ghost ; so are we born of water and the Spirit, John iii. 5. In the birth of Christ it was said, Luke i. 35, ' The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Hi…
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In handling this point I shall not speak of the nature of these acts of grace, but only of their connection and relation to one another, which I shall represent to you in these propositions — 1. That God's eternal purpose, will, or decree, is the first rise of all things ; for the apostle beginneth with predestination…
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312 SERMONS UPON ROMANS vni. [Ser. XL. to do this or permit that ; therefore he knoweth that this or that will come to pass : Acts ii. 23, ' Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foiekuowledge of God ; ' so that God determineth as well as foreknoweth. Many will say that God doth foreknow what men will do …
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4. That God doth not find this order in causes, but maketh it ; for all good is the fruit and effect of predestination, not the motive and cause of it, otherwise it would be a post-destination, not a predestin- ation. Effectual calling and justification and glory are effects of God's eternal purpose, and flow from it a…
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[2.] The next step is, 'Whom he hath called, them he hath justi- fied.' Calling is chiefly by the gospel, and the next end of that is faith in Christ, or conversion to God; and certainly none are justified, but those that are called, and all that are called are justified : Acts xxvi. 18, 'To turn them from darkness to …
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2. That predestination is most free, not depending upon foreseen works and faith. We are chosen to faith and holiness, but not for it ; the scripture saith, to faith : 2 Thes. ii. 13, ' Because God hath from the beginning of the world chosen you to salvation through sanctifica- tion of the Spirit, and belief of the tru…
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318 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XL. but to cherish tlie love of God, holiness, patience, and become more serious in the work of salvation. What effects have you of this predestination ? 1. Love to God. From everlasting to everlasting he is God, Ps. xc. 2, Ps. ciii. 17 ; and from everlasting to everlasting his me…
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belief: 1 Thes. ii. 13, 'For this cause also we thank God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.' Serious consideration : Deut. xxxii. 46, ' S…
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[1.] Direct application : as when we infer and bind our duty upon ourselves, from such principles as are laid down ; so, ' What shall we say to these things?' that is, what use shall we make of them? Christianity is not a matter of speculation only, but of practice ; there- fore, when we hear the truth of it enforced, …
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4. In a time of sorrow and discouragements ; when affliction breaketh us, and lieth heavy upon us day and night. Suppose con- tinual poverty or sickness, or else when we are wearied with a vexatious and malicious world ; then should we revive our hopes and comforts, expostulate with ourselves about our drooping discour…
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324 SERMONS UPOK ROMANS vm. [Ser. XLI. {2dly.) Effectual vocation is the eruption of this purpose. God is not witli us, but in us. When we are made partakers of a divine nature, we have a pledge of his being with us in our own heart. We dwell in God, and God in us, 1 John iii. 24. The new creature is under his special…
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[2.] Though they be against us, yet they shall not do us any con- siderable hurt. See the lilte question, 1 Peter iii. 13, ' Who is he that will harm you, if you be followers of that which is good ? ' God is with and for the sanctified and justified ; the devil, the world, and the flesh, are against them ; yet they can…
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1st. If you take it for his sovereignty : all things are under his dominion, and are forced to serve him, both angels and men, good or bad of either kinds, they are all his hosts; therefore he is called the Lord of Hosts, who is the God of Israel. Whatever you fear is something under the dominion of God, and you need n…
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(2.) Because of God's love to his people. If he had never so great power, yet if he were not willing and ready to help them, we could not draw any security from thence. But we have no more reason to doubt of this than of the former. God, that is wise enough and powerful enough to defeat all opposition, is also good eno…
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(3.) The great foundation that was laid for God's being with ua in the incarnation of the Son of God. Jesus Christ is the true Emmanuel, God with us, Mat. i. 23. There we see God in our nature, and so drawing nearer to us, and coming within the reach of our com- merce. In and by him, we are made nearer to God, who stoo…
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VeR. 31.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIH. 331 attempt to hope to reconcile Christianity with your carnal affections ; but if you be such, though the feelings of nature be not altogether quenched in you, you will not be greatly moved as long as your main happiness is safe; that is, while God's love to you is not lessened, whi…
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1. It informeth us of the misery of wicked men in the general. By parity of reason, if God be against us, it is no matter who is for us. How soon are all things blasted when God is against a people I they make little reckoning of God's help, or securing their greatness by God's protection ; therefore the ruin is the mo…
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(3.) Upon this ground they defy the creature : Ps. xxvii, 1, ' The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear ? the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid ? ' so Ps. cxviii. 6, ' The Lord is on my side, I will not fear what man can do unto me.' It argueth great pusillanimity to yield to tempt…
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Use 2. Is to press you to lay up this truth in your hearts ; for it is the ground and foundation of all religion. 1. This is the ground of close adherence to God, when we cease from man, and cleave to God alone ; then you live as those that from their hearts do believe that there is a God, and that he is a ' rewarder …
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VeR. 32.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 337 God. The argument of the text sboweth it — ' He that spared not his own Son,' &c. In the words we have two things — God's former and after bounty. 1. A foundation, or 2. An inference. First, Thefoundation and ground-work of the argument is propounded 1. Negatively — He spar…
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(3.) Though he had no equal or advantageous exchange. Christ is more worth than a thousand worlds, as the people could say of David — ' Thou art worth ten thousand of us,' 2 Sam. xviii. 3. How much more may it be said of Christ ? Wiiat could God gain that might be an equal recompense for the death of Christ. All the wo…
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(3.) ' For us all ' — the persons for whom ; for the cursed race of fallen Adam, who had no strength to do anything for themselves; who had cast away the mercies of our creation, and were senseless of our misery and careless of our remedy ; had abused the goodness of his bounty and patience, and were utterly lost to Go…
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2. Because Christ is the greatest and most precious gift ; and surely God, that hath given so great a benefit as his own Son, will he stick at lesser things? He that hath given a pound, will he not give a farthing? Hath he given Christ, and will he not give pardon to cancel our defects, and grace to do our duty ? comfo…
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1. Tiiose to whom God giveth Christ. In the scripture we read .sometimes of Christ given for us, and sometimes of Christ given to us. His being given for us noteth the impetration, and the purchase of the benefits ; his being given to us, tlie application of them. The one speaketh the love of God to lost man, obnoxious…
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We have time — we bestow many hours in vanity — shall we not bestow some on God? But surely it should be as a wound to our hearts that we should be so unwilling not to spare our lusts, that which is not worth keeping. The other argument is from fear: if we spare our sins, God will punish them: Job xx. 13, 'Though he sp…
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346 SERMONS UPON KOMANS VIII. [Skk. XLII. that there is no bar jjut to vis, but what we put to ourselves by our refusing the grace, as God offerclh it. Certainly God's love and mercy to mankind is om- first motive, and his willingness to impart good things to them on his own terms ; and surely he is well pleased with …
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[2.] God's love is not a cold and uneHectual love, that consists only in raw wishes, but an operative and active love, that issueth forth to accomplish what he intendeth to us, though by the most costly means, and at the dearest rates. God is good, and doth good, Ps. csix. 68. He hath a love to us, and will do good to …
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SEKMON XLIII. Who sJiall lay anyOmxg to the charge of God's elect ? it is God that justifieth. — Kom. viii. 33. We have done with the general triumph of believers, and considered wliat supported them against the fear of evil and the fear of death — viz., the hope of good. Now the apostle descendeth to particulars ; a…
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Secondly, The reply and answer — ' It is God that justifieth.' This implieth two things : (1.) his finding out a way to acquit them, according to the terms of the gospel, as when all men were vttoSikoi, ©ew, obnox- ious to God's vengeance ; but now a clear and sure way of pardon : Eom. iii. 19-22, 'Now we know that wha…
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[2.] By way of estimation, whereby God doth determine our right, accept or deem and account them righteous who fulfil the terms of the gospel, and actually convey to them the fruits of Clirist's death. This is spoken of, 1 Cor. vi. 11, ' And such were some of 3'ou ; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are …
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3. Effectual calling, or the conversion of man, reconcileth it with his holiness; for a sinner, as a sinner, is not justified, but a penitent believer. It is true, it is said, ' God justifieth the ungodly,' Eom. iv. 5 ; those that were once so, but not those that continue so. Certainly he sanctifieth before he justifie…
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But yet a little more must be said to reconcile the two apostles. Paul saith, ' A man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law,' Kom. iii. 28 ; and James saith, chap. ii. 24, ' Ye see then how by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.' There is a twofold charge commenced against us ; as sinners and…
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Use 1. Is information. To show us — 1. The misery of wicked men. They are not justified by God ; and therefore the charge of God's broken law lieth lieavy upon them, and the weight of it will sink them to the nethermost hell. It may be the world may flatter and applaud them, and they may absolve and acquit themselves …
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358 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XLIV. SERMON XLIV. Who is he that condemneth ? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, luho is even at the right hand of Ood, ivho also maketh intercession for us. — Kom. viii. 34. In the former verse, justificatiou is considered as opposite to accusation ; now, a…
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[2.] Foena seiisus, ' into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.' (1.) Into fire, not purifying, but tormenting ; for so hell is a place of torment, and a state of torment : Luke xvi. 24, ' I am horribly tormented in this flame ; ' and ver. 25, ' He is comforted, and thou art tormented ;' ver. 29, ' …
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(3.) After grace received much of our old bondage remaineth with us ; for ' all their life-time they are subject to bondage,' Heb. ii. 15. We carry these shackles with us to heaven's gates. Which cometh to pass, partly through the imperfection of our graces : 1 John iv. 17, 18, ' Herein is our love made perfect, that w…
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[3.] The conditions of the gospel are fulfilled. (1.) I take it for granted that the gospel maketh sufficient provision against the condemnation of believers : John v. 24, ' Verily, verily, I VeR. 34.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 363 say unto you, He that heareth my word, and belie veth in him that sent me, hath everl…
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2. It showeth us what course to take, in case our heart doth con- demn us. What must we do ? Sit down in despair and die ? No ; but examine the matter seriously. [1.] Conscience must not be despised, partly for its nearness to us ; it is God's spy in our bosoms. Whom shall a man believe, if not his own conscience ? Wh…
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3G6 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XLIV. abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." You have no plea but that of a sinner. (2dly.) Take heed of restin" in this estate, or going on in your sins. There is sententia lata, but dilata : Eccles. viii. 11, ' Because sentence against an evil doer is not execute…
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(2.) The sin is pardoned, and the sinner justified : Eph. i. 7, ' In whom we have redemption in his blood, the forgiveness of sins.' That is the great benefit which floweth from the death of Christ, which is offered in the New Testament: Acts x. 41, 'To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoeve…
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VeR. 34.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VII I. 369 demnation by sin ? Answer, Yes ; but yet the visible evidence was by liis resurrection ; the apostle saith, 1 Cor. xv. 17, ' If Christ be not risen, then are you yet in your sins;' and again, Eom. iv. 25, 'He died for our offences, and rose again for our justification.' Christ'…
1,033 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.