PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 14
Thomas Manton · 322,013 words · 314 reading sections
Section 121
VeR. 7.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. 187 obedience was the love of God. But he makes use of tlie other argu- ment : ver. 10, ' Knowing the terrors of the Lord, we persuade men.' It was the terror of the Lord which made liim so faithful in his work against all the disadvantages he met withal in the world. Sometimes it is …
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2. Consider the threatening, so as to weaken security, not to weaken faith. There is a great deal of difference between these two ; we are not to weaken the certainty of faith, but the security of the flesh. It is good for christians to observe what is the issue and result of their fear, and of their reflections upon t…
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190 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. XXXVI, that vast frame, that it was one hundred and twenty years a preparing, as appears by that of the apostle, 1 Peter iii. 20, ' The long-suffering of God Avaited all the while that the ark was a preparing.' Certainly a work of so great receipt must needs be of vast expense and ch…
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Quest. You will say, you press us to believe, and all that you can do is but to bring conjectures ; you cannot give such infallible warning as Noah did. I shall answer to this — 1. We may speak to you as the apostle did in Acts xiii, 40, ' Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets.' Le…
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Secondly, With respect to the general judgment, it reproves the security of the world. We are apt to think it is but a well-devised fable to keep the world in awe. Oh, consider, if Noah could believe the flood, we are nnicli more bound to believe the general judgment — why ? Because we have the word of God for it, whic…
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[3.] It was a work that met with many scoffs in the world ; they looked upon Noah as an old doting man tliat envied their jollities and pleasures. And truly, when you fear God and walk strictly, the world will speak of you. with great contempt — you will be set up to be as a sign to be spoken against. You must expect t…
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1. All graces are conjoined, though they seem contrary. See how tbey are conjoined in scripture. Ps. cxix. 119, 120, there is fear and love — ' I love thy testimonies ; ' and then presently, ' My flesh trembleth because of thy judgments ; ' so Ps. cxii. 1, ' Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth gre…
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[3.] There is in fear a reverence and a dread of God — his holiness, ■ his majesty, his power, his justice, and the like. Now we may dread God either as creatures or as sinners • either as our maker, or as our judge, or as both ; as our maker, so we dread God for himself; as our judge, so we dread him for our own sakes…
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VeU. 7.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. 199' shut up himself in a veil of displeasure. Observe that place : Hosea iii. 5, ' They shall seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall fear the Lord and his goodness/ Tliat filial fear which ariseth from the the goodness of God makes us to seek God and run after …
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(5.) Servile fear is a fear without any temperament of hope and comfort, and so it weakens the certainty of faith, rather than the security of the flesh. But now the gospel-fear is mixed with hope and joy : Ps. ii. 10, ' Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.' Because our affections are apt to degenerate…
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2. I look upon this again as an act of obedience, as a means in order to his own safety ; and then the note will be — Though a man be certain of safety, yet he must use the means. God had promised to save Noah and his household, he had made a covenant with him, Gen. vi. 18 ; but still Noah was to provide an ark; the co…
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tions to the fathers liappened hy way of type : 1 Cor. x. 11, 'All tliese things happened unto them — -vttol — as ensamples.' Ohserve, the faith of the fathers and the obedience of the fathers was conversant about a double object : spiritual o^ood things promised to them, and in common to all believers — and then parti…
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To apply this — Use 1. For encouragement to godly parents concerning their children. 1. Consider the mercy of the covenant, how it overflows ; it is not only stinted to their persons, but runs over to their children ; they are beloved for our sake. Oh, fear the Lord not only for your own sakes, 206 SERMONS UPON HEBR…
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I go on to another fruit and consequent of Noah's faith — ' By which he condemned the world.' By the world is meant all mankind, except the family of Noah, But how did Noah condemn the world? It may be conceived in two ways : by his preaching, by his obedience. Let us see which will most suit this place. 1. By his pre…
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To prave this point, the main reason is because we are responsible for every talent. Now the example of the godly is one of the talents. They that live among humble and mortified christians have more advantage than others have ; they are entrusted with another talent for which they are to be responsible to God. That yo…
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3. The examples of God's children are but the word exem})lified, the rule drawn out into practice. The word is the means of conversion, wherever it is written, preached, or lived, and every christian is as it were a walking bible. As it was said of a learned man that he was fiovielov irepLaiTTovv, a walking library ; s…
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212 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. XXXVIII. speaking of the bishop of the Trallians, saith, that he was of siicli severity of life, that I think the greatest atheist that is woukl even l)e afraid to loolc upon hira. Mortification shines effectually into the con- science of a wicked man. The strictness of God's childre…
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SERMON XXXIX. By theioliich lie condemned the icorld, and became lieir of the righteous- ness tvhich is hi/ faith. — Heb. xi. 7. Secondly, For the motives to press you to this : to live, so that you may condemn the world, that you may make them own their guilt and shame. 1. You may be a means to convert them. All ar…
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Use 3. For comfort against the reproaches of the world. They may condemn you in word, but you condemn them in life. When a man is running a race, no matter for the judgment of standers-by, or those that contend with us, all depends upon the master of the sports and the umpire of the race. So wicked men may scoff at you…
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' Of the righteousness which is by faith.' By faith is meant faith in the Messiah ; and righteousness is here put for the righteousness of justifica- tion, or rather I conceive for the reward oi righteousness— acceptance with God, possession of the whole world, and the enjoyment of the everlasting recompenses, all whic…
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2. It is called a heritage to note the largeness of our portion and \^ER. 7.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XL 219 spiritual estate. Let us consider the consequences of this righteous- ness ; it is our title and claim to all other blessings that can be had. The children of God have the largest patrimony that ever was — ' All …
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3. It is called a heritage to show the nature of our tenure. You know of all tenures, inheritance is the most free, most sure, and the most honourable ; and indeed in this way do we hold all the blessings of the covenant. [1.] It is a free tenure. All that God seeks to magnify in the covenant is his glorious grace fro…
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4. To show the condition of our present state, therefore it is called an heritage. Here we have little in hand like an heir that doth live in hope ; so it is said : Titus iii. 7, ' That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.' We live altogether upon hope. Servants a…
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2. Hast thou the spirit of an heir ? What is the spirit of an heir ? Then— [1.] Thy main care will be carried out to make the birthright sure. This will be the first and early design of the soul : Mat. vi. 33, ' Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof ; ' this is the great work you drive on in …
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[2.] The second circumstance in the text is the nature of the call, where there is a command to go out of his country, and a promise to come into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance. (1.) For the command — 'To go out.' In Genesis the words are more emphatical — ' Get thee out of thy country, from …
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[3.] The third circumstance in tlie text, the effect and influence of faith upon the call — ' He obeyed, and went out ; ' ijKovarjv koI e^rfkOe, he ' obeyed,' that signifies the consent of the mind ; and ' went out,' that notes his practice and actual obedience ; he obeyed not only in word but in deed ; there was a pro…
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2. Observe, the ground of this obedience is God's call. Here are two instances together : Noah's faith wrought by fear, the ground of that was oracle — ' Being warned of God ; ' and Abraham's faith wrought by hope, the ground of it was God's call, 'By faith — Abraham, being called ot God ; ' he had the express command …
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6. In this call I observe that God bids him to leave his country and his father's house ; hence note — Doct When God calls us to grace, we are not only to leave sin, but to leave the world, and all things that are dear to us in the world. As soon as God appeared to Abraham, he was to leave Chaldea, Charran, and all, …
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9. He obeyed, and went forth ; there was not only a consent of heart, but he readily performed. Observe — Doct. We must not only give God good words, and make vows at our efi'ectual calling, but we must be sensible of the vows of God. Many are apt to speak good words, as Christ hath a parable of the formal professor …
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12. I observe, ' He obeyed, not knowing whither he went.' Doct. Upon a divine call we must obey, though we do not know what will come of it. This is of excellent use to christians that are yet in the twilight of grace, between grace and nature ; they do not know what will come of it, yet they venture upon Christ. The…
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234 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. XL. that follow mon not employed ; standing pools are apt to pntrify, but running waters are sweetest. An idle man is a burden to himself, a prey to Satan, a grief to the Spirit of God, and a mischief to others. He is a burden to himself, for he knoweth not what to do with his time. …
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[5.] The calling of magistrates must not be undertaken, whatever abilities and inclinations men have, till they have a fair invitation from those that have power to call them ; and then it must not be refused. Men are God's instruments in this kind, and therefore we must not only have gifts from God but allowance from …
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[7.] For ordinary callings then we are called by God ; when God giveth ability and inclination, and openeth a fair passage in his pro- vidence, that is to be looked upon as a call. Inclination there must be, that we may be fit for our calling, and our calling fit for us ; otherwise we are like a member out of joint, ou…
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[3.] Humbly wait upon God for his blessing in the use of means. Men must work, but cast their care upon God : Mat. vi. 31, ' Take no thought, saying. What shall we eat ? or. What shall we drink ? or. Wherewithal shall we be clothed ? ' God will not put the trouble of the event upon us — ' Your heavenly Father knowetli …
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(2.) Positively. I confess it may be done; for that place, 1 Cor. vii. 20, ' Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he is called ; ' the meaning is, the place wherein religion finds us is not to be changed merely upon receiving religion. It is true, a servant may become free ; Amos was an herdsman, yet was mad…
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VOL. XIV. Q 242 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. XLI. strained his disciples to get into a ship;' there was a call, yet they were tossed witli waves. Chrisfs warrant for the voyage did not exempt them from trouble and danger ; yet we read of no fear till Christ appeared on the waves, then 'they thought him a spirit, an…
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[4.] The weighty causes upon which we may remove are want of health, if the places we live in prove hard and barren, and we know not how to subsist, or want of ordinances, or a lawful calling from state and church, whereof we are members, as to be ambassadors, or messengers of the churches, or such like cases determina…
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VeB. 8.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI, 245 sence, of the Lord, and dwelt iu the land of Nod, in the east of Eden.' How did he go from the presence of the Lord, seeing God is everywhere ? The meaning is, he went from that part and quarter of the world where God had his church, the place of his special presence. God's childr…
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Secondly, More particularly concerning ministers, whose office is of public use and influence, what is to be observed in fixing their station and place of service ? Ministers are to be considered either as altogether free, or else as already related to some congregation and particular place. 1. If free already, the ca…
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2. It must not be to places idolatrous, and where true religion is mider a restraint; you usually then put yourselves upon a snare. Abraham could not remain in Chaldea because of abominable idolatry and corruption, and you go into them voluntarily to learn of their ways. 3. If it be in ]ilaces free from infection, whe…
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I shall discuss but one question, and then come to the observa- tions. Quest. Why God would have Abraham tarry in Canaan? He might have shown him in the land, and then returned him to Ur of the Chaldees among his friends again. What are the reasons ? Ans. God's will is reason enough ; but yet it seemed to be for thes…
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(3.) Observe, that temporal blessings are usually made good to the posterity of the faithful. Abraham was a strangei* in the land of pro- mise, and had not a foot of land there ; but his posterity possessed it, and drove out the Canaanites. Believers have enough in God ; and however he dealeth with them, they can wait …
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[3.] His constancy. You may observe in Abraham an unwearied con- stancy in obeying God and believing his promises, though all things seemed contrary. He sojourned where God would have him, and waited for what God would give him. Observe, that true faith adhereth to God, though it find not what it believeth, but is ofte…
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Observe, that the children of God there, where they have best right and most possessions, are but strangers and pilgrims. How settled soever their condition be, yet this is the temper of the saints upon earth, to count themselves but strangers. All men indeed are strangers and sojourners; but the saints do best discern…
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(7.) A stranger that hath a journey to go would pass over it as soon as he can ; and so we, who have a journey to heaven desire to be dis- solved : Phil. i. 23, ' Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better.' It is the joy of their souls to think to be at home with Christ. (8.) A stranger buy…
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[2.] Do not embroil yourselves in the cares of this world. God is called a stranger and a wayfaring man when he seems not to administer to the wants and necessities of his people : Jer. xiv. 8, ' Why shouldst thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night ? ' Do not en…
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[4.] Do not confoj-m yourselves according to the fashions of the Vers. 9, 10. j sermons upon Hebrews xi. 259 world : Eom. xii. 2, ' And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.' You are strangers here ; live not according to the customs and fashions of the world. If an Engli…
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[2.] The enjoyment of any temporal blessing should stir us up to the more serious consideration of heavenly blessings ; there are better things laid up in heaven. As the prodigal's husks put him in mind of the bread that was in his father's house, and the cities of the Amorites put Abraham in mind of the city that had …
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Use 1. Put in your name among them that profess themselves to be strangers and pilgrims : Heb. xi. 13, ' They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth ; ' and that in your best estate, if it be in the land of promise, where you have most right, in the midst of peace, tranquillity, and worldly enjoym…
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2. Contrary to our experience, as men or as christians. [1.] To our experience as men. Why do you fix here ? The world thrusteth us from itself by miseries, and at last by death ; then there is a violent ejection, here it entertaineth us as a stepmother ; but we linger in it as Lot lingered, he was loth to go out of p…
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2. As an act of religion, to express their heavenly hopes, or to acknowledge the hopes and desires of a world to come in the midst of a profane age. Here they had no settled abode, as the tent was an ambulatory kind of dwelling, removed from place to place. As after- wards at the feast of tabernacles, for seven days th…
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[4.] It exhorteth us to a profession of our hopes and expectations of another Avorld, as the patriarchs did in the midst of the Canaauites ; by dwelling in tents ' they declared plainly that they sought a country,' Heb. xi. 14. The rite bindeth not, but we should have a tent-disposi- tion, and set the face of our conve…
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1, Imitation: they dwelt with them ; it implieth likeness of practice; they did it after Abraham's death. 2. Cohabitation : for Abraham was a hundred years old when Isaac was born, and Isaac at sixty years old begat Jacob and Esau ; so that Abraham lived with Isaac seventy-five years, and with Jacob fifteen years. Com…
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[3.] Observe the force of example, especially of parents. Abraham lived in tents, and so did Isaac and Jacob. You must not only educate your children, but give them an example , this works more than pre- cepts. Nature is very catching at ill examples, therefore beware of them. Ver. 10, For he looked for a city wlikli …
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3. Observe, heaven is a city that hath foundations. Tents are moving and ambulatory dwellings, they had no fotmdations ; but this hath foundations, that is, it is a fixed and certain habitation, therefore called ' an abiding city,' Heb. xiii. 14. We cannot have an abiding city in a perishing world. Man must be suited t…
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But doth not the apostle contradict scripture in ascribing faith to Sarah ? You shall see. In the original story, to which this place alludeth, Sarah is taxed for laughing, and when she was charged with it, denied it. Gen. xviii. 12-15. That laughing certainly wiis a sign of unbelief. It is true, Abraham laughed : Gen.…
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Secondly, The next circumstance in the text is the commendation of her faith from the matter, which was difficult — She received strength to conceive seed, and luas delivered of a child, when she was past age ; where you may take notice of the fruit of her faith, and the amplification of it The fruit of her fafth where…
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[2.] Faith is tlie best midwife. By faith Sarah was delivered of a child. Women great with child are very solicitous about getting a good midwife ; tlie apostle commendetli one in this place, one that never miscarried in her work, and yet tbe saints have employed her for thousands of years. She expecteth not wages nor …
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2dl7/. That you may cast yourselves without trouble and disquiet upon his love. Consider his providence extendeth to the beasts : Ps. xxix. 9, ' The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve.' Doth God take 278 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. XLIV. care for oxen, for hinds, for beasts, and will lie not for the membe…
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3. There is a particular promise that answereth to the dead womb. We are tried in that promise : John xi. 25, 26, ' I am the resurrection and the life ; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live And whosoever livetli and believeth in me shall never die. Be- lievest thou this ? ' Sarah's dead womb …
990 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.