PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 15
Thomas Manton · 315,746 words · 310 reading sections
Section 121
[5.] When men care not how it goeth with the public so they may promote their private interest. I mention this because, as self is to be denied for God's sake, so it is to be denied for the good of others. There is self in opposition to God, and self in opposition to the good of others : 1 Cor. X. 14, ' Let no man seek…
970 wordsSECTION 122Section 122
196 A TREATISE OF SELF-DENIAL. [BoOK I. themselves up to God. Therefore it is notable, when the scripture speaks of wicked men, it is said, ' What hope hath the hypocrite, when God shall take away his soul ? ' and Luke xii. 19, ' This night shall thy soul be required of thee.' The children of God consent to give up th…
1,198 wordsSECTION 123Section 123
2. Seek self in God, this is an innocent diversion. When we cannot weaken the affection, let us change the object. What is it that' is so near to thee ? Is it honour r* seek honour in God. Do but change vain glor}- for eternal glory. That is a lawful seeking of self when we seek it in God : John v. 44, ' How can ye bel…
1,093 wordsSECTION 124Section 124
6. In all debates between conscience and interest, be sure to observe God's special providence to thyself. When conscience and interest are a struggling, consider, whence hadst thou that which thou art so unwilling to part withal, but from the Lord ? Distrust is the ground of self-seeking. We do not consider the provid…
1,073 wordsSECTION 125Section 125
BoOli I.] A TREATISE OF SELF-DENIAL. 201 you go out of the world you will fiud they will come fast enonglh. Many cases will happen when duty is without encouragement, and all self-respects fail ; nay, when for conscience' sake you are put upon visible- disadvantage, Rev. xii. 11. It is said of the children of God, tha…
907 wordsSECTION 126Section 126
[6.] We are to deny ourselves, not only in case of temptation to direct sin, when either we must thus deny ourselves or actually sin, but also for the general advantage of duty and obedience, and the con- veniency of a holy life ; for instance, I am to deny ray })leasure, not only when reason may be grossly discomposed…
922 wordsSECTION 127Section 127
1st. We must deny ourselves in charity, and in a constant improve- ment of our substance to God's glory. Charity, it is the constant vent of christian affection, a holy emptying out of self in liberal and charit- able distributions, and it is the only ciu'e and preservative we can have against self-seeking, if done out…
1,047 wordsSECTION 128Section 128
5lli. This public self-denial is required of you in seeking to promote the common salvation and public benefit of the saints, without any partial respect to your own interest and opinion. Usually this is the fault of the children of God, saith Nazianzen, when they begin to grow well, then they are factious and divided,…
1,104 wordsSECTION 129Section 129
Book I.] a treatise of self-denial. 207 Jay count it to-be a loss, I connt them to be a-Kv^dka, dog's meat ; not that-he repented of anything that he had done and suffered, but as they might hinder the application of the merit of Christ, but as things that his heart was apt to plead before God's tribunal. It is all no…
1,156 wordsSECTION 130Section 130
(3.) After conversion the children of God are very subject to it, to lessen their esteem of Christ by overvaluing their own righteousness. As long as we live in the world we are apt to set up a righteousness of our own. When the apostle would give us a catalogue of sins, pride of life is last mentioned, because, when o…
979 wordsSECTION 131Section 131
(4.) It will make the promise to be of no effect to you. All our comfort lies in the acceptance of the gospel, we are undone by tbe old law. Now when you depend upon works, you cut off yourselves from those hopes, and are obnoxious to the rigour of the law. God puts it to your choice at what court you will stand ; will…
1,093 wordsSECTION 132Section 132
212 A TKEATISE OF SELF-DENIAL. [BoOK 1. say with thy enemies, with unbelievers, but with ' thy servant/ Self- conceit then is a sure argument of self-dependence. When men think much of what they have done for God, and do not break out into actual humiliation, certainly it is a sign their hearts do run upon the merit o…
938 wordsSECTION 133Section 133
(6.) If the person of Christ be not exceeding precious to your souls, and always kept in the eye of your faith and in the arms of your love, you have not a due sense of your own state and actions : Cant. i. 13, • A bundle of myrrh is my beloved.' The children of God always keep up an esteem for Christ in their hearts, …
906 wordsSECTION 134Section 134
[1.] How far we are to deny our own wisdom. It concerns us both in doctrinals and practicals. 1. In d(jctrinals. To wave such discourse as is controversial, I shall lay down two propositions. Ist. Reason must not be heard against scripture. 'Id. Scripture cannot be understood or applied without the Spirit. [1st] Re…
1,338 wordsSECTION 135Section 135
(2.) As it holds in doctrinals, so also in practicals , there we are to cease from our own understanding. Is^. We must not take counsel of human and fleshly wisdom. Folly is bound up in the heart of a man, and it is the more dangerous because it goes under the disguise of wisdom ; so that we think none are wise Book …
1,070 wordsSECTION 136Section 136
[1st.] In the general choice of thy life, both for opinion and practice. David had made God his portion : Ps. xvi. 6, 7, ' The lines are fallen to me in pleasant places ; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord who hath given me counsel ; my reins also instruct me in the night season ; ' as if he had said,…
1,047 wordsSECTION 137Section 137
[2.] I shall show you how hard a matter it is to draw men off from 220 A TREATISE OF SELF-DENIAL. [BoOK I. dependence upon their own wisdom. It is natural to us all, but especiall}' it is incident to young christians, who are hugely given to dog- matise, because their notions, being hasty and fervorous, are accompani…
1,198 wordsSECTION 138Section 138
(2.) AVhen men dare undertake anything without asking counsel from God: Prov. iii. 6, 'In all thy ways acknowledge him.' Wo are not to lessen our dependence, no, not for a moment. Whenever you go forth in the strength of human counsel and reason, you do, as it were, say, In this business I can do well enough without Go…
961 wordsSECTION 139Section 139
(5.) When men despise the advice and help of other christians. The Lord will have us to profit by one another. He withdraws himseU" many times to this end and purpose, that we may be endeared one to another, as well as engaged to himself. Certainly the head cannot say, I have no need of the foot. As God would establish…
989 wordsSECTION 140Section 140
Thirdl}^ I come now to speak of dependence upon our spiritual strength, and grace received : Gal. ii. 20, ' I live ; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me,' where there is an abnegation of all his own strength with respect to the spiritual life. The work of the inferior agent is denied, that the supreme may have all the g…
998 wordsSECTION 141Section 141
(3.) It is a sin not only foul in its nature, but severely punished by God. The saints have never so foully miscarried as by their self-confi- dence. Who would have thought that Lot who was pure and chaste in Sodom, should have committed incest in the mountain, when there was none but he and liis own daughters ? Though…
924 wordsSECTION 142Section 142
dd. It must be stirred up and improved to holy actions — ' A good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth good things.' God hath given us a treasure to trade withal. Grace teacheth no man to be lazy. The doctrine of dependence on Christ doth not take us off from endeavours, but from resting in them. …
926 wordsSECTION 143Section 143
Book I.] a treatise of self-denial. 229 present, but how to perform that which is good, I find not.' The new nature may purpose and will, but we cannot perform a good work without a new concurrence. [2d] Because the habit of grace is but a creature, it is not an in- dependent thing, like the iSpirit of God himself. I…
1,208 wordsSECTION 144Section 144
[Gth.] Another consideration to press you to a continual dependence upon God in the exercise of your spiritual strength, is the sad experi- ence of God's children whenever they have been left to themselves. I need not instance in the angels, which did ' excel in strength ; ' yet when left, they fell. I need not speak o…
1,053 wordsSECTION 145Section 145
Fourthly, I come to speak of the fourth head — viz., Dependence upon the supplies of the outward life. And — 1. To show that there is such a sin. 2. How evil and heinous it is, that it is capable of the highest aggravations. 3. What are the notes and evidences by which this secret vein of guilt may be traced and fou…
1,132 wordsSECTION 146Section 146
234 A TREATISE OF SELF-DENIAL. [BoOK I. want despise wealth, and live in actual dependence upon the providence of God ; but as soon as they begin to have somewhat of the creature, their hearts begin to value their estates, as if they could live alone, and without God, and then they are altogether intent about increasi…
928 wordsSECTION 147Section 147
(3.) This must needs be a very great sin, for it is the ground of all miscarriage in practice. When men think they cannot be happy with- out money, they dare not obey God, for fear of offending mammon ; they shall lose their wealth, which is their happiness : I John v. 3-5, * For this is the love of God, that we keep h…
1,087 wordsSECTION 148Section 148
Book I] a treatise of self-denial. 237 lean kine to devour tlie fdt— when they suffer worldly cares to eat up all their vigour and strength, which they should reserve for communion with God. Bernard saith, Felix domus uhi Martha queritur cle Maria — Oh that is a blessed family where Martha can complain of Mary ! Luke …
941 wordsSECTION 149Section 149
(2.) Man must use endeavours, for we confute our prayers by idleness; for when a man doth not use the means, he shows his designs are not hearty. Now the means to attain this are these following — 1st. Frequent practices of charity • we should be as careful to em- ploy wealth to charitable uses, as worldlings are to g…
999 wordsSECTION 150Section 150
5th. Lay up several gracious maxims and principles in the soul. 1. None ever trusted in the world, but they had cause to complain. Mammons drudges have hard work, and worse hire and wages ; as Jacob after he served seven years, and when he expected beautiful Kachel, he receives Leah. Eiches will surely disappoint the …
1,333 wordsSECTION 151Section 151
2. The difficulty of it will appear again if we consider, the will is far more corrupted than any other faculty of the soul. The under- standing is much blinded, but the will is more depraved and averse from God. The mind of a carnal man hath a little light, which is apt to suggest some good motion. As Job's messenger …
1,023 wordsSECTION 152Section 152
2. Because no creature can be sui juris at his own dispose, and to live according to its own pleasure. If any might plead exemption, then certainly Christ, as man, might, because of the glorious fellowship that was between the human and divine nature. But see, when Christ took human nature, he was bound to submit his h…
1,191 wordsSECTION 153Section 153
Book I.] a treatise of self-denial. 245 harm you without your own consent. Now since none can harm us but our own will, and since we are unfit <]:uides, it is fit we should have a guardian, and who is wiser than God ? The merchant, though he hath stored the ship with goods, yet because he hath no skill in the art of n…
1,012 wordsSECTION 154Section 154
1. If you will obey God there must be some solemn time when you make this resignation to him. Naturally we are averse, and therefore whosoever is brought in to God, he comes humbly, and like a pardoned rebel, and lays down the weapons of defiance. God, as creator, hath a right to your wnlls, to your obedience ; but he …
1,016 wordsSECTION 155Section 155
5. We must not only do what we know, but we must search that we may know more. This is a great sign of an obedient heart, when we are willing to inquire what duty further God requires : Kom. xii. 2, ' That ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.' A man that hath given up himself to God …
914 wordsSECTION 156Section 156
1. How far we are to submit to the will of God in providence. 2. What are the grounds of this submission. 3. The helps to it. First, How far w^e are to submit to the will of God in providence. That will be discovered in several propositions. 1. The lowest degree is, we must be quiet and silent. When a vessel is muc…
1,152 wordsSECTION 157Section 157
Book I.] a treatise of self-denial. 251 the ox, because they did not love him for his kindness — ' The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib ; but Israel doth not know ; my people doth not consider,' Isa. i. 3 ; so we may send you to the dogs for not loving of God when he beats you ; we should the i-athe…
1,092 wordsSECTION 158Section 158
6. This submission must be manifested by preparing ourselves to suffer yet more than we feel for the present in vow and purpose. A christian resigns up himself to the will of God, he hath no will of his own. Lord, turn me into what condition thou pleasest, as David, 2 Sam. XV. 26, 'Here I am, do to me as seems good in …
937 wordsSECTION 159Section 159
254 A TREATISE OF SELF-DENIAL. [BoOK I. we may know ourselves ; as God left Hezekiah, that lie might show liim the pride of his heart. That we might be kept low and empty, and that grace may be exalted, these dispensations are very necessary. [3.] When God doth not always sertsibly hear our prayers. Though this is a …
924 wordsSECTION 160Section 160
4 Ground : the honour the Lord doth us, that he should take us in hand, though it be to correct us ; Job speaks of it with admiration. Job vii. 17, 18, 'Lord, what is man, that thou shouldest magnify him, and that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment ? ' It is meant of corrective dispensatio…
967 wordsSECTION 161Section 161
Thirdlv, for the helps by which we might bring our hearts to ['if^l to the will of God. ' sie 1. See God in all thing.s. This is the first principle of submission : Ps. xxxix. 10, ' I was dumb, and opened not my mouth, because thou didst it;' that made David quiet and altogether silent. So Hezekiah speaks of his patie…
1,023 wordsSECTION 162Section 162
4. Consider, what little cause you have to indulge your own mur- muring ; guilt is enough to silence any creature. Thou art a creature, and a guilty creature, and God is the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth ; let this stop thy mouth. There is always cause from God, and we may still say, as in Ezra ix. 13, ' Thou hast…
1,090 wordsSECTION 163Section 163
Secondly, This self-love is twofold — to our persons and to our interests. I told you before that self is a capacious word, and doth not only involve us, but that which is ours. (1.) To our persons : we manifest that by doting upon ourselves, and by the admiration of ourselves, and so it is 260 A TREATISE OF SELF-DENI…
933 wordsSECTION 164Section 164
(4.) It is incident to good christians ; they are in danger to be enamoured of their own goodness. Pride once got into heaven itself among the angels, it crept into paradise, and the best heart can hardly keep it out. When men have withstood the ' lusts of the flesh,' and ' the lusts of the eye,' yet they may be overco…
910 wordsSECTION 165Section 165
[3.] Let me come to the odiousness of this sin. This is prejudicial to God, to your neighbours, to yourselves. (1.) To God it is flat sacrilege ; we detract from God, and rob him of the praise of his gifts, that we may set the crown upon our own head : Hab. i. 16, ' They sacrifice to their net, and burn incense to the…
1,038 wordsSECTION 166Section 166
(2.) Consider the purity of God. Much acquaintance with God in our thoughts would make us loathe ourselves. How did Job cure his self-love ? Job xlii. 6, ' Inline eyes see thee, and therefore I abhor my- self, and repent in dust and ashes.' The only way to loathe and abhor ourselves is to think often of God's holiness.…
975 wordsSECTION 167Section 167
(5.) Get this advantage of thy failing, that thoumayest be the more out of love with thyself. Oh, what odious creatures should we appear, if we did but keep a catalogue and roll of every day's miscarriage — if all the errors of our life were but drawn up together ! Now whenever you put yom-selves in the balance, graces…
1,196 wordsSECTION 168Section 168
2. We misplace self as well as mistake it. He that loves himself more than God lays God aside, and sets self on the throne in his heart . now this is a great crime in the eye of nature. There is a natural reverence to what we conceive to be of divine power. Every one will say, I love God best ; God forbid, I should lov…
904 wordsSECTION 169Section 169
2. Though comparison be the best way to discover love, yet this love is not to be measured by the lively stirring acts of love so much as by the solid esteem and constittition of the spirit. Why ? because the act may be more lively where the love is less firm and rooted in the heart. The passions of suitors are greater…
1,123 wordsSECTION 170Section 170
[2.] My next proviso is that you will sometimes make the world give way to grace, and rather encroach upon your temporal than spiri- tual necessities. Too, too often we find the ' lean kine devour the fat.' Now it is good sometimes to take revenge, and let grace encroach upon the world, for special and solemn duties. L…
1,011 wordsSECTION 171Section 171
^72 A TREATISE OF SELF-DENIAL. [BoOK I. alised. "When parents prefer their cliildren to spiritual employments, or continue them there for their maintenance, though otherwise unfit and unworthy, this is to honour their sons above God. God is to have the highest honour and resjiect. [2.] When we can part with spiritual…
1,040 wordsSECTION 172Section 172
[6.] When we find more complacency in outward enjoyments, and are more satisfied with them than in God's love and favour ; when men cannot find any sweetness in communion with God, but are wonderfully drawn out in fleshly delights. This is contrary to the dis- positions of God's people : Ps. Ixxxiv. 10, ' One day in th…
1,002 wordsSECTION 173Section 173
Book I.] a treatise of self-denial. 275 ever tliey are put to the trial, they fall off from Christ to the ' present world/ as 2 Tim. iv. 10. They seek to provide for their safety and profit rather than peace of conscience, and never, or but in a slight manner, look after their true self, and I may add, are not grieved…
1,143 wordsSECTION 174Section 174
[5,] The very motives and reasons that draw us to self-love do draw us to better things, for he that loveth anything would love the best of the kind ; and therefore, if we love anything that is. good, let us love that which is eternally good. What do we love ? is it friends, life, glory, pleasure, substance ? When we l…
985 wordsSECTION 175Section 175
(2.) Act faith, partly upon the blessed recompenses. What is the reason men dote upon the creature ? Because they are not acquainted with a higher glory. Carnal men are purblind, they cannot ' see afar oflf,' 2 Peter i. 9 ; they look upon the things of heaven as golden dreams, as pleasing delusions ; therefore cannot b…
945 wordsSECTION 176Section 176
1. Our great aim should be to enjoy God ; that is the happiness to which we are poised and inclined by the bent of nature. An immortal soul was made for an eternal good ; nothing beneath God will satisfy it ; and the heaven that we expect is nothing else but the filling up the soul with God. There is a great controvers…
940 wordsSECTION 177Section 177
Book I.] a treatise of self-denial. 281 nay, be doth remember us, as if lie bad forgotten all otbers, and bad none else to care for in the world. There is not a good thought of thine forgotten. The spiritual life seemeth to be as asleep when we do not think of God. In gratitude we seem to be obliged. And consider agai…
1,175 wordsSECTION 178Section 178
[3.] In all conditions of life, a christian should be iudiflPerent to every estate, so God may be glorified ; to be like a die in the hand of God, let providence cast him high or low, as it pleaseth God : Phil. i. 21, ' So be it, that Christ may be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or death ; ' I am indiffere…
935 wordsSECTION 179Section 179
284 A TREATISE OF SELF-DENIAL. [BoOK I. of the elder brother, -winch Christ taxeth in the loth of Luke ; he that is trul)' gracious, desires that others may partake of the same grace, for he knows that God is thereby the more glorified. But wlien we are covetous of reputation, and design our own honour, then the fewer…
965 wordsSECTION 180Section 180
Fouiihhi, It is a difficult and hard piece of self-denial. It is natural to us — 'AH men seek their own things,' Phil. ii. 21. All our mark, naturally, is at some aim of our own, at our own profit and credit. It is very hardly laid aside, for base and unworthy desires are very im- portunate, and do recoil upon us after…
1,039 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.