PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 14
Thomas Manton · 322,013 words · 314 reading sections
Section 241
[3.] I come to show that this is a great sin, God takes it ill to be circumscribed and limited in his power. It is his complaint, Ps. Ixxviii. 41, ' They limited the Holy One of Israel.' The great sin of Israel in the wilderness was circumscribing and confining God to the course and circle of second causes. So he that …
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2. Consider the sj^ecial instances of God's power. [1.] In creation. 0 christian I remember the creating power of God. VeR. 19.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. 375 David saith, Ps. cxxiv. 8, ' Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.' As if the psalmist had said, As long as I see heaven and earth I w…
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Obs. 3. God's power reachetli to the grave, and beyond the grave, even to give life to the dead. God can not only preserve the creatures while they are in life and being, but when life is lost he can restore it again. It is an easier matter to make a vessel out of clay, than when it is dashed into pieces to re- store …
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Here I might observe several things. Obs. 1. That in extremity God will be seen. S78 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XL [SeR. LIII. All was as good as dead, and yet lie receives him again, when the knife was just at his throat : Gen. xxii. 10, 'And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son/ When he h…
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2. That the Lord's wisdom is infinite, and he can solve those difiicul- ties which are mere riddles to us ; and therefore all thoughts of ours are be to captivated to his will, for he hath ways and means to bring about his purposes, which come not within our ken and perceivance. Alas ! how easily will reason be nonplus…
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[2.] The persons blessed — ' Jacob and Esau.' Jacob is put first, as having obtained the precedency, though the younger son, by the peculiar direction of God in this matter. [3.] The matter of the blessing — ' Concerning things to come.' that is, the great things which should happen to his posterity. Which things were…
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2. I observe again, that Jacob, the younger, had the precedency and principal blessing, and therefore he is named first. Tiiere are two parts of this observation — (1.) The younger brother is preferred ; (2.) The quality of his blessing, that it was choice and principal blessing. [1.] The younger brother was preferred…
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(1.) To be the father of the Messiah, to have relation to Christ, that is a great blessing. We have a relation to him now, not in blood, but in grace ; that way is the kindred now reckoned, it is a spiritual kin- dred, when we are members of his body, and partake of his Spirit, and do his will : Mat. xii. 50, ' Whoever…
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(3.) Another privilege of Jacoh above Esau was this, that he was taken into covenant with God — ' The blessing of Abraham shall come upon thee.' What is that ? ' I will be thy God, and the God of thy seed,' Gen. xvii. 7. Oh, this is the great happiness of a people, to have God for our God. This I have opened at large, …
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3. I observe from the story : this difference of blessings between them was founded in an eternal decree and purpose of God, that was declared while the children were as yet struggling in the womb; Gen. XXV. 23, ' The Lord said, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels ; …
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5. Again, I observe: as to the rejection of Esau, it is notal)le,_ for the clearing of God's justice, Esau was not rejected from the principal blessing till he had' first rejected it himself. Whatever God had purposed within his own heart, Esau was not actually rejected till he liad rejected the blessing. The primogeni…
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[2.] This promise and this blessing seemed to be contradicted as to sense. Jacob's blessing runs thus» ' Be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee,' Gen. xxvii. 29, and yet Jacob was fain to bow and cringe to Esau, Gen. xxxiii. 3. The promise seems to be contradicted by the providence of God…
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392 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. LIX'. fathers till you do this. You dispersed the old Adam ; now if you had conveyed the stone, or some hereditary disease to them, surely you would seek a remedy for them, or direct them to one if you could tell them of one. Oh ! begin with them betimes. Timothy ' from a child had k…
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2. Do not cut off" your children by a contempt or neglect of baptism. Parents are guilty of more sin than they are aware of in depriving their children of this privilege ; it is a wrong to God, a wrong to their children, a wrong to the church, a wrong to themselves, and it gratifies none but the devil. It is a great wr…
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VeR. 21.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. 395 JSERMON LV. By faith Jacob, when he loas a-di/mg, Messed both the sons of Josejjh; and ivorshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. — Heb. xi. 21. We are come to tlie third patriarch, which is Jacob ; his faith is set forth— 1. By the time — When he icas a-dying. 2. By the…
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Secondly, Let us come to the actions about which his faith was con- versant it is said — First, ' He blessed both the sons of Joseph.' In the original it is €KaaTov Tcov vmv, every one of the sons of Joseph, though Ave read but of two, therefore it is well translated, ' both.' Here I shall show (1.) The reasons of the…
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3. Wherein lay the faith ; for it is said, ' By faith he blessed the two sons of Joseph.' Partly, in embracing the revelation that was made to him by God in prophecy. Partly, in pronouncing the blessing accord- ing to the tenor of that revelation ; for as the cordial assent is an act of faith, so confession with the mo…
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Ohs. 2. In conferring this blessing there is a difference here again ; Ephraim, the younger, is preferred before Manasseh, the elder, the regality is entailed upon him. Learn thence, there is a difterence not only between the blessings of the wicked and the godly, but between the blessings of the godly and the godly. I…
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Secondly, For the other action — ' He worshipped leaning upon the top of his staff,' Here you have (1.) The action — ' He worshipped ; ' (2.) The gesture 'Leaning upon the top of his staff.' 1. The action — 'He worshipped/ This worship was not a civil worship performed to Joseph, but religious worship to the Lord. The…
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Obs. 1. That our addresses to God must be reverent, both as to the frame of the soul and as to the gesture of the body. VeR. 21.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. 403 Poor impotent Jacob desires to put himself into the posture of sup- plicants. As to the frame of the soul, our addresses to God must be reverent. Reverence is …
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VeK. 21.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XL 405 of the Lord, yet they will be repaired again. Oh, how glorious was Christ's body ! It may be discerned in part in his transfiguration, there were such beamings forth of liglit from the body of Christ that the disciples could not bear it. Such kind of bodies for clarity, bright- ne…
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[1.] The children of such, without any scruple, are to be accounted children of the covenant, and belonging to the church, till they do actually declare the contrary: Rom. xi. 16, ' For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy ; and if the root be holy, so are the branches.' They are a covenant stock ; the apo…
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Use. Well then, it maketh for the comfort and caution of rich men. 1. For their comfort. There are some of your order, though not many : 1 Cor. i. 26, ' Not many mighty, not many noble, are called,' Joseph, a courtier in Egypt ; and the eunuch in Acts viii. 27, was treasurer of queen Candace. Usually the poor receive …
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Thirdly, The effects of this faith, or if you will, the effect, and the sign, and visible symbol of it. First, The first effect of his faith is — He made mention of the de- 'parlure of the cliildren of Is^'ael : Gen. 1. 24. 'I die, and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land into the land which he sw…
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VeR. 22.] SERilOXS UPON HEBREWS XI. 411 fitable that the face of lieaven should always be serene and glittering ; we have need of rains, and winds, and tempests, and foul weather as well as fair. The welfare of the church needs to be interrupted some- times. If the church and the members of it were merely spirit, with…
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VeR. 22.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XL 413 time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie ; though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry.' The vision is silent for a while ; there is delay, there is misery and oppression, and so it seemeth to lie ; ay, but it doth but seem to tarry. [5.] …
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Use is to reprove us, 1. That we dono more regard the public welfare of God's people. A man is known by his affection to Sion ; dying Joseph comforts him- self, not only with his own happiness, but the happiness of God's people after his death. Every true member of the church hath life in Christ, and this life givetli…
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1. To show their belief in the promise ; though they could not go thither in person, they would have their bones carried thither to take possession, which was a visible symbol or public testimony of their faith that they doubted not of the promised possession. 2. It was an excitement to posterity not to settle their m…
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(4.) Living and dying we should make profession of our faith. Joseph, when he died, would be known to be an Israelite^ and not an Egyptian. (5.) We may gather hence that it is fit the saints, where it may be had, should have decent burial. It is made a work, not only of honesty, but piety : Acts viii. 2, ' Devout men …
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charge given him, and he must give an account of it — ' The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and hell (or the grave) delivered up the dead which were in them,' Rev. xx. 13. We should not be afraid to go down to the grave now we hear of such a glorious resur- rection from it. This is the way for the body …
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Here are three propositions — [1.] Whether the tyrant would or no, God's people should be pre- served. [2.] Out of the male children a deliverer should arise. [3.] In all probability this child might be he ; by special instinct, seeing the beauty of the child, they might conceive hopes of liim. Faith spieth light at…
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[2.] The action itself was hid. Though faith overcometh fear, yet we may use lawful means to overcome the danger ; she hid the child. They do ill that needlessly thrust themselves upon danger: unless we ^re especially called to bear witness, wary carriage is required. God counts it faith : faith is far from compliance …
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2. Where God will make special use of instruments, he giveth them answerable endow^nents, both of body and mind. Moses, in his very childhood, had a majesty and invincible grace in his countenance. There are some upon whom God hath set a mark for special work and service ; this is a kind of presage what he will do with…
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Use. It informeth us that it is no excuse though magistrates enjoin or connive at tilings evil. In human laws the husband shall not answer for the wife, nor the children for the parents ; and therefore in all these cases say as Christ said to his earthly parents, Luke ii.49, ' Wist ye not that I must be about my Father…
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othly, God can make others our friends : Prov. xvi. 7, ' When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.' Zealous resistance sooner gaineth friends than carnal com- pliance. Who would offend a king to please one of his slaves ? The respects of others are in God's hands, and he can…
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(2.) The act of self-denial — rjpvi^craTo Xeyeadai, ' He refused to be called.' He would not so much as be called so, a pert and open pro- fession : and this not by compulsion ; he was not cast out or dis- owned, but he refused. He might have held the honour of this adoption still, if it had so liked him ; but he would…
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430 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. LVIII. the Holy Ghost calleth the advantages of his former life ' the pleasures of sin ;' and then it was high time for him to remove. 3. Having explained the words, and also vindicated this act from exception, let me now restore it to its true glory, commendation, and honour. Certa…
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1. How far the honours and glories of the world are to be renounced and forsaken. 2. What influence faith hath to induce us to do this. First, How far honours and worldly advantages are to be renounced and forsaken. There are two rocks that we must avoid ; on the one side the rock of Popish and superstitious mortific…
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YeR. 24.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XT. 433 hath provided for me, he hath advanced me to sjreat empire and sove- reiiinty, but what have I done for God ? ' So Neh. i. 11, he says there, ' The Lord prosper thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man (for I was the king's cup-bearer).' That parenthesis…
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Secondly, To show the influence that faith has hereupon — • 1. It looks for better things that are to come, and so we can the bet- ter part with these things. It does exercise the mind about greater things, such as Christ's coming to judgment, and eternal glory and blessedness. [1.] Faith makes the soul to reflect up…
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436 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. LVIII. 2. Faitli gives us right thouglits of things present. It shows us the nothingness of worldly greatness, and the greatness of present -spiritual privileges. [1.] The nothingness of worldly greatness and honours. It is but a vain appearance, a mere pageant, a nothing, a fancy :…
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438 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. LIX. shows how imich more sure a child of God is of God's love ; he hath a greater interest in his love, and hath a dependence upon a God that is uncbangeahle, that will never fail. Now faith seeing all this, it mightily prevails upon the heart. 3. Faith sees that nothing is lost th…
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Use 1. You will say, AYhat is all this to us ? What use shall private christians make of it, that are not exercised with these tempta- tions ? What shall we be the better for this sermon ? What glory have I to renounce or to deny for God ? Ans. 1. There is nothing done by Moses but what is required of all christians. …
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VeK. 24.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XL , 441 hands, as ready to part with them at God's call. There may be a degree of resolution in some more strong than others, in some a greater deadness to the world, and a greater sense of the world to come than in others, but all must have it in some measure and degree, and be willing…
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6. It gives a check to daily temptations, for if we cannot deny a little ease of the flesh, alas! how shall we deny pleasures, treasures, honours, and be so upright and faithful with God as Moses was ? We should be ashamed to hear of such things, we that give up at the first assault, and are borne down with every petty…
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444 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. LIX. conscience of liis internal call, he may lie at the pool modestly till some put him in, and offer himself to such work as God hath called him luito, and upon a fair call he must not draw back. But 3'et we should wait and tarry God's leisure, without thrusting and obtruding ourse…
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[5.] Consider, as their advantages are less, so their snares are more ; the higher their station, the more dangerous. He had need have a steady head that walks upon a precipice ; the snares of worldly great- ness are many. Trees planted on the tops of mountains are more ex- posed to bleak winds ; and when we are full, …
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1. To weanedness. To this end — [1.] Consider the short continuance of worldly greatness. It is a part acted upon the stage of this world for a while. Others have been in the places you enjoy, and they are dead and gone, and there is no remembrance of them. You are going to the grave only the higher walk: Job iii. 19,…
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2. Examine your self-denial by your faith. Some have not an opportunity to show it, and some men's lusts are turned another way, as swine care not for pearls, but for swill ; sometimes men deny them- selves out of humour and discontent ; or their self-denial is but a politic retreat, or an affectation of privacy and qu…
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From these words many things might be observed. The main point is this, that it is the property of a gracious heart to choose the greatest affliction before the least sin. AYhen once it came to sin, Moses could abide in the court no longer. It was Moses' judgment he was not over- seen, for he is commended for it by tli…
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1. In suffering the offence is done to us, but in sinning the offence is done to God ; and what are we to God ? It is nothing to offend and weary men ; but to offend God, and weary God, that is the highest aggravation : Isa. vii. 13, ' It is a small thing to weary men, but will ye weary my God also ? ' All injuries rec…
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6. Affliction may be good, but sin is never good, the nature of it cannot be altered : Bom. viii. 28, ' All things shall work together for good to them that love God ; ' so Ps. cxix. 71, ' It is good for me that I have been afflicted.' It is a medicine to the godly. But we cannot say, It is good for me that I have sinn…
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11. We lose nothing so much by suffering as we do by sin. In sufferings and persecutions we lose the favour of men, but by sins we lose the favour of God ; and that is a sad purchase to buy the favour 454 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. LX. of men with the offence of God, to lose heaven, to undergo the wrath of God. L…
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2. We can do nothing in the spiritual life till we take up such a resolution, and really be of such a disposition of heart. We are often put to such a choice ; it is not a rare case, but such as falls out in every day's experience, whether we will choose sin or some inconvenience. Many times duty and danger come togeth…
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VeR. 25.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XL 457 Therefore how is it upon the trial ? Were rou ever acquaiuted with self-denial in this case ? or do you decline duty to avoid a danger ? or do evil to get a little profit, and so yield upon that occasion ? Are not you discouraged in the ways of God, or from the ways of God, becaus…
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3. What is your care? to be great or good ? Which way doth your ambition run ? To excel in grace, or to grow great in the world ? Wbat would you ask of God if you were put to Solomon's choice ? Wisdom or riches ? Or, in your daily prayers, what do you beg of God every day ? Lord, for outward things do with me what thou…
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1. The effect of his faith — He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. 2. The ground of it — For he had respect iinto the recompense of re- ward. First, Let us begin with the effect and fruit of his faith ; that is set down comparatively. Where take notice (1.) Of the things compa…
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2. It informs us also of this truth, that there is a communion be- tween Christ and his people. The reproach that lightetli upon the members reflecteth upon the head : Isa. Ixiii. 9, ' In all their afflictions he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them.' Look to the context, and you shall see he plainly…
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Here, that you may be possessed of the true spirit of Christianity — 1. I shall a little open the nature of our esteem of Christ. 2. I shall show why Christ must be thus esteemed, that the worst things that can happen in our case should be more to us than the best things of the world. First, How Christ must be estee…
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2. In the whole drift and tenor of our lives we must act as those that live by this principle. Our cliief endeavour must be to get and keep in with Christ : Matt. vi. 33, ' Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof.' The strength of our souls, and the vigour of our endeavours must run in this chan…
907 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.