PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 15
Thomas Manton · 315,746 words · 310 reading sections
Section 241
(1.) That there are a God of infinite power, and wisdom, and good- ness, who made all things, and so men, and should be served by them. (2.) That all have extremely faulted in this subjection which is due to the creator of the world. Experience manifesteth this. (3.) That having faulted in this subjection, they are l…
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3. Our danger is great if we receive not and obey not this doctrine A SER:\rON ox JOHN 111. 33. 385 concerning accepting sinners to lite in Christ ; that will appear by comparing two places. In Mat xxiv. 14, it is said, ' The word of the kingdom shall be preached eh fiaprvpiov, for a testimony to them :' and Mark xii…
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4. To embrace it with all affection : Acts ii. 41, ' They received the word gladly ;' aa/Jbevco<;. It is good news to a poor hungry con- science to hear of a pardoning God, and a merciful and faithful Kedeemer, and the offers of eternal life, and a sure way pointed out how to come at it ; it is the rejoicing of their s…
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[2.] For the profit of others. Your faith professed doth as it were seal the truth of God to them : Isa. xliii. 10, ' Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord.' God's people, that have from time to time such plen- tiful proofs of divine power and providence, are able to give sufficient testimony for him; and others are conf…
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(3.) God is true in the doctrine of reconciliation and promise of eternal life to Christ's faithful disciples discovered to us in the gospel, or in what he speaks by Christ ; there is a divine character in his doc- trine. The testimony of Christ is the testimony of God. He spake as an original author ; for so it foUowe…
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2. A speculative assent doth not denominate us true believers, but answerable walking. Certainly to believe so as to put to our seal implieth it, where, when a man receiveth the word of God as his truth, and doth accordingly manifest it in his life, he puts to his seal, and by his pi-ofession and practice doth declare …
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4. In this sealing God's truth there are many things implied which most christians want. It implieth spiritual evidence, experience, and confidence in temptations to the contrary, and enforceth practice. [1.] It implieth spiritual evidence. None can receive Christ's testi- mony without a work of the Spirit; spiritual …
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2. The answer is suited so as best to convince hypocrites ; not to show the true means of atonement, but to defeat their false claim. Whatever atonement God would accept, yet without the performance of necessary duties it would be fruitless and ineffectual to them : ' He hath showed thee, 0 man, what is good.' Doct. T…
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Now it is good to see how David compareth these two revelations of the mind of God, where he first admireth the brightness of the sun, and then the purity of the law. The joining of both these medita- tions showeth — (1.) That the world can be as ill without the word of God as with- out the light of the sun. What woul…
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Secondly, Whatever God hath so revealed is good. 1. To clear this to you, I shall premise some distinctions of good- ness. [L] There is a moral and beneficial goodness. That which is good 398 SERMONS ON MICAH VI. 8. morally is that which is our duty, just and equal ; as Dent. xxx. 15, 'I have set before yon life an…
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(Ist.) Our reconciliation with God through Christ, if we will enter into his peace. This is that which we only are capable of here, and the good we are now admitted into : Rom. v. 1, ' Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord.' As soon as ever we turn to him by faith and repentance…
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{2d.) As to men. To do good is the employment of our lives : Eph. ii. 10, ' Created in Christ to good works,' &c. ; and this with a zeal, Titus ii. 14. Now that doctrine is good which only employeth men to do good. But to whom must we do good ? To all : Gal. vi. 10, ' Do good to all, especially to the household of fait…
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(2d) The soul before the body. In all reason the better part should have most respect and care. The good of the body is fluid, and van- ishes ; the soul is immortal. Now, shall we pamper the body and neglect the soul ? What a fool is he that hath cared for all things more than what should be most cared for, his preciou…
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3. Piofitable. Men stand upon advantage. What profit ? is the usual question : Deut. v. 29, ' Oh ! that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever.' No advantage Cr disadvantao-e cometh to God ; he is a…
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1. The matter. To walk with God is to live an holy life, Gen. V. -22. 2. The modus or manner — liumbly ; or, as the word may be tran- slated, ' Humble thyself to walk with God ; ' i.e., with that submission and reverence which will become such a God. Humility is a voluntary debasement of soul before God, arising from …
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3. It implieth s^:)ecially reverence in worship, and that we be deeply sensible of our unworthiness to approach his holy presence. Surely we have not a due sense of the excellency of God, unless we SERMONS ON MICAH VI. 8. 407 debase ourselves before him. It is said, Lev, x. 3, ' That God will be sanctified in all tha…
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[2.] 1 observe, that walking humbly is here pressed ; not hanging the head for a day like a buUrush as many will in a day of humilia- tion, but are pioud at other times. Walking implieth more than one act, a continued course and tract of humility, or a life of lowliness, meekness, and patience. This grace is never out …
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410 SERMONS ON MIC AH VI. S. Lord, who am but dust and ashes.' The term dust refers to our original. When the soul was formed out of nothing, the body was made of the dust of the ground. Ashes refers to the curse or wrath of God that came upon them by the ftill. So Job xli. 5, ' I have heard of thee by the hearing of …
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1. If it be so, it is yourselves that you have most cause to complain of in your afflictions, more than the rigour of God or the injustice ot men. The rigour of God : Lam. iii. 39, ' Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sin ? ' Is God severe, or have you been unthankful ? Did I honour G…
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[2.] There is much corruption of nature yet remaining, Gal. v. 17; and this often breaketh out into actual sin, which breedeth fear of the wrath of God, and should beget such a sense of it as promoteth humility, and should quicken your prayers for pardon. SERMONS ON MICAH VI 8. 413 [3.] Though it break not out iuto a…
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3. The issue and close — ' Towards morning it shall be light ; ' where the issue is comfortable and the season strange. It shall end well, and that at such a time when nobody would look for it. All providences to God's church end in light, and this at the evening, when sun and day is gone, when seemingly all things ten…
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Secondly, The reason of this, why the day of our conflict is such a mixed doubtful day. Let us consider — (1.) The equity; (2.) The wisdom of God in it. 1. The equity of it. It is such a day as is very suitable to our condition in the world. A yERMON PiiEAOHED BEFORE THE PARLIAMENT. 417 [1.] We are in a middle place…
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[2.] To work us from earthly things to things heavenly. In heaven there is no night, but all day. There is no stability in outward com- forts, that we may look higher, and get ' the moon under our feet,' Eev. xii. 1. All sublunary things are liable to changes. We are eagerly bent upon temporal happiness, and would seek…
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420 A SERMON PREACHED BEFORE THE PARLUMENT. the light of the day and the full darkness of the night. If too clear, we should not need faith. If too obscure, we should wholly lose faith. Therefore, the first way of providence is not fit for the pre- sent world, that the godly shall always be happy acd flourish, and hav…
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Not the fourth sort of providence, that both sliould be continually happy ; for then there were no room for suffering graces, for the exer- cise of fortitude and patience, contempt of the world and self-denial. The best would soon forget the world to come. David would not have the Canaanites utterly destroyed to keep I…
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A SERMON PREACHED BEFORE THE PARLIAMENT. 423 Grod hath smitten, and to speak to the grief of those whom God hath wounded,' Ps. Ixix. 26 ; Prov. xxiv. 17, * Kejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth ; lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath fr…
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[2.] It is an abuse if we are discouraged in God's service because of this uncertainty and the returning of clouds after rain, that you cannot tell whether it will be day or night. You ought to take God's part ; as in the combat between flesh and spirit, to come into the relief of the better part; so in this doubtful c…
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426 A SERMON PREACHED BEFORE THii PARLIAMENT. would God have me to do in such a case ? you shall lie sure to know his mind and your own duty, and so can suifer and act the more cheerfully, (2.) Gret a sure guide : Prov. iii. 5, 6, ' Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not to thy own understanding : in all …
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But what is meant, then, by Christ's sitting at his table ? Some apply it to his abode in heaven, in the midst of the holy angels and the spirits of just men made perfect ; and the eternal pleasures they enjoy there are often set forth by a feast. But rather it implieth the fellowship we have with Christ by the gospel,…
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4. Again, Christ may more sensibly manifest himself in one duty than another, for he is not tied to means, or to time and season ; and it is his presence that maketh an ordinance comfortable, and doth revive the exercise of grace. As upon tlie approach of the sun in the spring 430 A SACRAMENT SERMON. all is lively an…
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7. This is the sum of all other duties and privileges, epitome evangelii, the abridgment of christian religion, the land of promise in a map : Luke xxii. 20, ' This cup in the new testament in my blood.' The whole new testament comprised in one ordinance, pardon sealed, heaven anticipated, word and prayer mingled toget…
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2. The love of God in Cin-ist, which was the cause, must beget a A SACRAMENT SERMON. 433 fervent love to him again, that we may love him who hath loved us at so dear a rate: 2 Cor. v. 14, 15, ' For the love of Christ coustraineth us ; because we thus judge, that if one died for all. then were all dead ; and that he d…
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3. How unsuitable and sad it is that we are most dead where we should be most raised, fresh, and vigorous ! At any time dead service doth ill become a living God. The heathens saw that the worship must be proportioned to the object of worship. When they worshipped the sun, they ofiered a horse, and Josiah destroyed the…
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2. Admire the wisdom and love of God in finding out such a remedy and ransom for our souls. It deserveth to be the wonder of all men and angels. The angels stand by, and wonder at what God hath done for us : 1 Tim. iii. 16, ' Great is the mystery of godliness, God mani- fested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, see…
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A SERMON ON MIC AH VII. 18. Who is a God like unto tJiee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth hj the transgression of the reranant of his heritage? — Micah vii. 18. The words express an admiration of the Lord's incomparable goodness and pardoning mercy. The question is, how they are brought in here in this place? Th…
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2. Those that hope to remove evil, either by sinful means or natural means, without being reconciled to God. (1.) Sinful means. As Saul in his distress goeth to the witch of Endor. These do more entangle and involve themselves. Fear is an ill counsellor, and urgeth men to use indirect and evil means to avert the things…
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But to come more closely to the words. Doct That the chief glory of the true God consisteth in the pardon of sins, wherein there is none like him. I shall evidence it by these considerations — 1. We have not a true apprehension of God till we see him singular and matchless in excellency, and do give him a distinct a…
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A SERMON ON MICAH VII. 18. 443 encourageth us to the liearty service, worship, and obedience of God, whereunto otherwise we could have neither hand nor heart. But since he will forgive the penitent supplicant, and pardon the slips and frailties of our lives, this draweth us to obedience ; whereas a despera- tion of hi…
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(2.) We have privileges offered to us by a sure covenant in Christ's name, Luke xxiv. 47, and Acts v. 31. Tlie gospel is an indenture drawn between God and us, wherein is required repentance, and pro- mised forgiveness of sins ; or, if you will, a testament, wherein precious legacies are left to us by our dying Lord ; …
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Use 2. To put us upon self-reflection. Do we entertain this offered pardon as such a singular thing deserves ? Sure if there be none like God in pardoning, we should not be affected with it as some ordinary thing. Here, therefore, I shall inquire what impression it should leave upon us. 1. The sense of God's glorious …
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8. It teacheth us to entertain with reverence the grace tendered to us in the Lord's supper, that was designed and appointed for the re- presentation and remembrance of Christ, and the solemn communica- tion of the benefits thereof to the penitent believer. Now forgiveness of sins is one expressly mentioned, Mat. xxvi.…
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A SERMON ON JOHN XIII. 8. 451 ties grow upon our hands when we indulge them. This second refusal is more peremptory, after Christ had declared the meaningof thiswashing. Surely he should have acquiesced in Christ's answer ; for we must yield obedience to his will, though for the present we do not know the reason of it…
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A SERMON OX JOHN XIII. 8. 453 of or communioa with this holy God till we are in some measure cleansed and washed from sin. [2.] Look we to G<jd incarnate, the second person, our Mediator and Redeemer ; he also is pure and holy : and, therefore, if conformity maketh way for communion, we must be pure as he is pure. Ch…
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3. W^ith respect to the new covenant, or our entering into the gospel sliite, the manner is set down, Heb. x. 22, ' Let us draw A SERMON ON JOHN XIII. 8. 455 near witli a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.' All that would…
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[2.] The other benefit is expressed by having their bodies washed with pure water. As the former alluded to the sprinklings of the law, this to the washings of the law ; that to the sprinkling of blood, and this to the washing of water : ' Our body is cleansed,' not but that the heart is washed from sinful pollution as…
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Use 1. Information — That we have all need to be washed if we expect benefit by Christ. There is a double necessity of this washing — [1.] Because of our natural pollution ; for we are all sinners, and sin is of a defiling nature, making the person unclean and loathsome to God wherever it is. (1.) That we are all sinn…
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4G0 A SEEMON ON JOHN XIII. 8. Lev. xiv. 6. We must make conscience of using the means diligently, and the rather as being encouraged by Christ's purchase or the merit of his death. 3. It informeth us that they handle the gospel amiss, and do not take a right way to be partakers of the fruits and benefits of Christ's …
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But here a question ariseth, Are we bound to have assurance of our sincerity before we come to the Lord's table ? I answer — 1. We are bound to be sincere, and to examine whether we be sincere ; and so the decision is, we may come without assurance, but 4C2 A SERMON ON JOHN XIII. 8. we cannot regularly come without …
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2. Their privilege is set forth in two words — They shall continue ; they shall be established. And the ground or duration is specified in that word — Before thee. Let us open these circumstances, that we may see what aspect they have upon the present occasion. First, The persons, ' The children of thy servants.' The…
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There is but one clause more that needeth explaining, and that is, ' Before thee.' Some understand it of the duration of the blessing; that is, so long as thou dost endure ; as before the sun and moon is rendered, * as long as the sun and moon endure,' Ps. Ixxii. 5. And the Septuagint renders it, ek tov alwva KaTev6vvd…
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A SERMON PEEACHED BEFORE THE SONS OF THE CLERGY. 467 of the Hebrews.' This is his prerogative above all his brethren. The {Syrians, Assyrians, Lydians, Persians, Armenians, Elamites, these all came of Shem ; but because they were ignorant of the knowledge of the true God, he doth not take his title from them, though t…
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6. They are not cast off till they do even wrest themselves out of the arms of mercy. Cain excommunicated himself: Gen. iv, 16, 'And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord.' The face of the Lord, in one sense it is everywhere ; but it is meant of the church, where God is worshipped. Ishmael, for scoffing and malig…
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1. The strict, and such as dare not offend him : Ps. ciii. 17, ' The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness to children's children.^ They that fear him, that walk exactly in his sight and presence, such are frowned upon, hated, maligned, scorned in the world …
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Use 2. Is comfort to poor dying saints, when they leave a great charge behind them ; though you leave them no great matter, it is a good portion to lay up some prayers for them, to leave them a God in covenant with them. God doth strangely provide for the children of his people ; a little holdeth out, like the widow's …
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A SERMON PREACHED BEFORE THE SONS OF THE CLERGY. 473 relations, ruling tlieir children and their own house well. Eli's sons were a disgrace and shame to their father ; so will you be, if you be nought. Men judge of the parents by the behaviour of their children. Yea, that is not all ; the reflection will not only be p…
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[2.] Let me press you to charity. This is the great end of the meeting, and therefore must not be left out or neglected. The occasions and wants of ministers and ministers' widows are many and great. Now let them know that you have received the ministerial blessing. This is the necessary acknowledgment, that you have r…
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Secondly, More particularly in the new covenant all things concur that belong to a testament. 1. There is a testator, and that is the Lord Jesus Chi'ist. A testator is one that hath a just title and a full power to those goods which he disposeth of, and so giveth the same I'ight which he had in them to other persons a…
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478 A SACRAMENT SERMON ON LUKE XXII. 20. But more especially two legacies are more notable, wliicb imply the rest — the one initial, the other consummate. (1.] Pardon of sins. This is expressly mentioned in the parallel place to the text, Mat. xxvi. 28, ' This is the blood of the new testa- ment, which is shed for ma…
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480 A SACRAMENT SEllMON ON LUKE XXII. 20. inheritance,' The lieiis of the new testament are the called. Some are not called at all, as the gentiles, to whom the gospel is not preached. Some are called, but refuse or neglect to accept of this grace ; as they that were bidden to the marriage of the king's son made light…
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[2.] The witnesses on earth. The Spirit, the water, and the blood, these agree in one ; they are not one as the former were, 1 John v. 8. This is internal, ver. 10. The work of regeneration of the soul by the power of the AVord and Spirit is signified by water. The work of jus- tification of guilty souls by the blood o…
926 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.