PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 16
Thomas Manton · 320,138 words · 314 reading sections
Section 61
3. Example increaseth sin, though it doth not cause it. At first sin is natural ; it is not caused by imitation, but yet imitation doth much increase sin : Isa. vi. 5, ' I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips ; ' that is a snare certainly. So we are born worldly, and the greatest part of those men with whom w…
967 wordsSECTION 62Section 62
2. Grace goes to work by way of opposition ; it planteth opposite principles in the heart and maketh use of an opposite power. It VeR. 12.] SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 101 planteth opposite principles : we have a new divine nature, and so escape the corruptions of the world through lust : 2 Peter i. 4, ' Whereby ay…
912 wordsSECTION 63Section 63
[3.] It is contrary to our hopes ; we look for better things. It is a most lamentable thing to see a christian, that professeth the assurance of a better life, to lie digging like a mole in the earth : 1 Peter ii. 11, 'Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, that war agains…
1,155 wordsSECTION 64Section 64
Use 2. Of reproof of those that do not deny worldly lusts, but feed and serve them ; they act for their sins rather than against them. 104 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. V. Nature is bad of itself, and we need not make it worse ; these tempt temptations, and cater and purvey for sin. Therefore the apostle useth …
988 wordsSECTION 65Section 65
2. On the part of worldly lusts. There let me speak of them in general, then in particular. First, In general they are lusts, and they are worldly lusts ; both will yield us arguments why we should deny them, 1. They are lusts, and therefore lusts should be checked, because it is lust. That we may see what victory we…
911 wordsSECTION 66Section 66
VeR. 12.] SERMONS UPOX TITUS II. 11-14. 107 and lust turns tliem into snares for our ruin. As when a vessel is filled with filthy liquor, and it runs dreggy, the fault is not in the piercer that broacheth it and giveth it vent, but in the liquor itself. Lust is the cause of all the hurt that is done us in the world : …
1,265 wordsSECTION 67Section 67
2. You should deny them as worldly lusts ; so you must abstain from them, not serve them. As they are stirred up by worldly objects, they keep us from better employment ; and therefore grace teacheth us to deny them, as they tend only to such a vile purpose. Many arguments there are — [1.] Whatever is for this world …
1,027 wordsSECTION 68Section 68
[5.] In a sense, worldly lusts do hinder us of the comfort of this world. Want increaseth with enjoyment as the fire increaseth by laying on more fuel The more we enjoy the more we desire, so we do not enjoy what we do possess. The more we have the more we want, so that a covetous man neither enjoys this world nor the …
1,005 wordsSECTION 69Section 69
Deny these lusts of the flesh, do not indulge them, suffer them not to grow wanton. By way of argument consider — (1 ) Sensual men have httle of God's Spirit; Jude 19, ' Sensual, having not the Spirit.' The Spirit is a free Spirit, and they are slaves to their lusts ; the Spirit is a pure Spirit, and their desires ar…
918 wordsSECTION 70Section 70
2. The next particular the apostle mentions is the lusts of the eye, or covetousness. This is an evil very natural to us, and we cannot be watchful enough against the encroachments of the world. We need it in part, and we love it more than we need it. Worldliness is a branch of original sin ; it is a disease we are bor…
1,157 wordsSECTION 71Section 71
VeR. 12.] SERMOJ^S UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 115 perdition.' The bent and resolution of the soul argues the heart is naught ; he hath drowned himself already ; he falls into a snare, and into many temptations. (3.) By an immoderate delight in worldly comforts. A man may be worldly, that is, not carking and ravenous. Esau…
950 wordsSECTION 72Section 72
{5th.) The more estate you have, the more danger and the more trouble. A pirate doth not set upon empty vessels. None are so liable to such snares as those that have wealth and greatness. You can hardly discharge what you have already. If you had more, you would have the greater trust ; for ' to whom much is given, of …
1,129 wordsSECTION 73Section 73
118 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. VII. iniquities, 0 Lord, who should stand ? ' And God hates this sin so much that he lets men fall into many scandalous sins when they grow proud of their holiness. The ornament of a high and honourable estate in the world is not outward splendour, but the humble mind ; James i.…
937 wordsSECTION 74Section 74
Before I enter upon the discussion of the present argument, let me first remove some prejudices. 1. Some men think that to discourse of sobriety will be to give you a moral lecture, not an ev-angelical discourse ; tbey would have us to preach Christ, as if pressing the duties of religion were not a preaching Christ. C…
1,386 wordsSECTION 75Section 75
0/ the affections. I mean such as are accompanied with pleasure in the exercise ; these are under the command of sobriety. There is a moderation of our passions that belongeth to fortitude and patience, as sorrow and anger, the moderation of these belongeth to other graces. But now such affections as are accompanied wi…
966 wordsSECTION 76Section 76
But now for sports, and the other delights of human life. Accept of God's indulgence with thankfulness, and use it with moderation. Adam in innocency was placed in a garden of delight ; and since the fall God hath provided not only for necessity but pleasure. Certainly in Christ we have a great liberty, but we should n…
977 wordsSECTION 77Section 77
[2.] When they engross your time, which is the most precious com- modity that can be, for it cannot be bought with gold and silver, and, when once lost, can never be repaired. God hath appointed pleasures after labour, and when we are grown dull with exercise ; but then they should be moderate, that as little time be w…
906 wordsSECTION 78Section 78
and labour in our callings, by reason of our sports and recreations, it is a sign we bave too much let loose the reins to pleasure ; for pleasure was appointed to make us better, not worse, more cheerful in the duties of our callings ; but now it proveth a clog and a snare. [4.] Then is sobriety to interpose when our …
1,109 wordsSECTION 79Section 79
3. Consider, it is uncertain how long thou shalt enjoy the .season. The present time is always best, and shall we waste it vainly ? We have not a lease of our lives. Ludovicus Capellus tells of a rabbin that, being asked when was the fittest time for a man to repent, he answered him, One day before he dies, meaning pre…
951 wordsSECTION 80Section 80
YeE. 12.] SEKMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 129 do you believe that there is a God of recompenses, and that there will be a day of account, that you dare loiter thus, and waste away your time that should be spent in God's service ? Secondly, Consider the baseness and the danger of pleasures, in four considerations — 1. …
999 wordsSECTION 81Section 81
SEEMON YIIL We might live soherly, <&c. — Titus ii. 12. Second branch, sobriety in meats and drinks. If you ask which is worst, excess in meat or drink, gluttony or drunkenness ? I answer — Drunkenness is more odious, and doth more sensibly deprive a man of the use of reason, and put him upon actions unseemly, and is…
904 wordsSECTION 82Section 82
debates, and weighty affairs ; therefore the Carthaginians forbade wine to magistrates during the time of their magistracy ; and by Solon's law a drunken prince was to be slain. 2. For ministers, their work lies with God, therefore they had need live in constant sobriety. Under pain of death, neither Aaron nor his son…
943 wordsSECTION 83Section 83
3. The manner of enjoying the creature ; it must be with caution and with piety. [1] With caution. Job sacrificed while his sons feasted, Job i. 5. We are apt to forget God most when he is best to us ; and when our hearts are warmed and inflamed with high and good cheer, we are apt to sin ; therefore your heart should…
1,055 wordsSECTION 84Section 84
VeB. 12.] SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 135 garment with a greater pride, Calco Platonis fastum. Envy shows we value these things. Now, to moderate this secret envy, take a consid- eration or two — [1.] If we have food, and raiment to cover our nakedness, why should we trouble ourselves about more ? 1 Tim. vi. 8, ' A…
1,257 wordsSECTION 85Section 85
[1.] It is a foul abuse of apparel and ornament when men and women disguise nature, and seek to mend that which God hath made, by patching, painting, and other varnishes of art. Jezebel is infamous in scripture for painting ; and dare any sober woman that pretends to be a christian put herself into her garb and fashion…
974 wordsSECTION 86Section 86
[4.] When it suits not with modesty and chastity. Garments were given to cover nakedness and the deformity that was introduced by sin ; therefore the apostle saith, ' Let the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array,' 1 Tim.…
933 wordsSECTION 87Section 87
4. Consider, when you are most gorgeous, the beasts excel you. Croesus, king of Lydia, being gorgeously arrayed, asked Solon if ever he had seen a more beautiful spectacle ? He answered, Yes, sir ; I have seen peacocks and pheasants and other birds. And Mat. vi. 29, Christ takes notice of this, that ' Solomon in all hi…
922 wordsSECTION 88Section 88
3. Sinful care is immoderate in the use of lawful means : Eccles. ii. 23, * For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief ; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night.' Those that have none else to trust to, no wonder if they make use of their own endeavours to the uttermost ; but he that hath an heavenly Father…
1,027 wordsSECTION 89Section 89
3. Consider the fruitlessness of our care unless God add a blessing ; ver. 27, ' Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature ? ' A man never gets anything of God by not trusting him. He that will not take God's word must look elsewhere. The way to obtain earthly things is to be less careful and dist…
1,080 wordsSECTION 90Section 90
3. Again, there is a due ariseth by voluntary promise. We make ourselves debtors, and it is part of justice to make good our promise, though it be to our own hurt and loss : Ps. sv. 4, ' He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.' All promises must be kept but those that are evil, and those are void in making.…
997 wordsSECTION 91Section 91
3. There must be no wrong to their goods, no invading of right and property : Eph. iv. 28, ' Let him that stole steal no more.' Every one is against a gross thief ; but the more plausible and secret ways of wrong, and getting estates into your hands, or abusing trusts, is theft. The apostle there writes to the Ephesian…
1,031 wordsSECTION 92Section 92
Third rule. If wrong be done, restitution must be made. It is not enough to reconcile yourselves to God if you have thriven by unjust gain, but you must make restitution to men, else the sin remains. There is in all such acts the sin and the injury. Now many seek to take away the sin while the injury remains, but that …
1,000 wordsSECTION 93Section 93
Fifth rule, We must be so far from wronging any man, that in many cases we must not demand our own extreme right : Phil. iv. 5, ' Let your moderation be known unto all men ; the Lord is at hand.' Your moderation, eTrteiKeia; it signifies • the mitigating of the extremity of justice : James iii. 17, ' The wisdom that is…
1,235 wordsSECTION 94Section 94
Eighth rule, We must help others according to our power. This is a part of righteousness. In the law it is said, ' It shall be righteousness unto thee before the Lord thy God,' Deut. xxiv. 13 ,when it speaks of the poor's due. Carnal, wicked, covetous men stand upon property ; 1 Sam. XXV. 11, 'Shall I take my bread and…
983 wordsSECTION 95Section 95
152 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. X. princes, magistrates, such treasurers, such, soldiers as the christian rehgion can. But religion is mightily made a contempt when men make it to be the pretence of vile practices. 5. It will be for your own comfort, whatever falls out in the world, good or evil. Samuel could…
1,230 wordsSECTION 96Section 96
154 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. X. God know ? can he judf^e tliroiigli the dark cloud ? Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not, and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.' They cannot see him, and think he cannot see them ; as the panther hideth his head in a bush, and then thinks the hunter doth …
1,035 wordsSECTION 97Section 97
2. Hearing. One institution must not jostle out another. It is not enough to read at home, but you must also hear and attend upon pub- lic preaching : Eom. x. 14, ' How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard ? ' It is God's ordinance. Seldom is grace got by reading. We have our confirmation by reading, b…
1,034 wordsSECTION 98Section 98
VeU. 12.] SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 157 upon God with thankfulness. God hath been at a great deal of cost to erect a throne of grace that we may pray with confidence : ' Having boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus/ Heb. x. 19. If a charitable man should see a company of beggars wandering in the…
966 wordsSECTION 99Section 99
7. Keeping the Sabbath day holy. It is a sure mark of an ungodly person to be a Sabbath-breaker, as a conscionableness to celebrate it to God's glory is both a mark and a work of godliness. It is the description of the godly eunuch, Isa. Ivi. 4, ' Thus saith the Lord to the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the…
1,026 wordsSECTION 100Section 100
160 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. X. But those that love the truth prize the institutions of God ; there is a displeasure in their hearts against any false way. 3. There must be frequency in the practice of it. God and their souls must not grow strangers. Things that are not used contract rust, as a key seldom …
917 wordsSECTION 101Section 101
1. In the course of our conversation there must be a sense of God's eye. The world is a great stage, men are the actors, God and angels are the spectators and lookers-on ; therefore all must be done in God's presence. All actions and duties which lie between man and man mast be done in and to the Lord. You must love yo…
973 wordsSECTION 102Section 102
Use 2. To press you to exercise yourself to godliness. 1. It is the aim of the gospel Tlie gospel is called, 1 Tim. vi. 3, * The doctrine which is according to godliness,' invented on purpose to maintain and keep godliness alive. So Titus i. 1 , ' The truth which is after godliness,' which preserveth the true worship …
923 wordsSECTION 103Section 103
I. The force of the expression, ' In this present world.' It implies three things — timely beginning, zealous discharge, and final persever- ance. Whatever we are to do upon the teaching of grace, we are to do it speedily, earnestly, constantly. Speedily, now or never, take hold of the present occasion ; earnestly, it …
974 wordsSECTION 104Section 104
3. Constantly. It is in the present world as long as we are here, without any limitation, and therefore it hints final perseverance, with- out which as good we had never begun. It is notable that under the law the Nazarite, if he had made a vow, he should touch no wine or anything that was forbidden for so many days or…
1,086 wordsSECTION 105Section 105
2. This is the time of our exercise and trial. [1.] There must be this exercise before we come to heaven. We do not leap into heaven without any preparation. The vessels of glory must first be seasoned with grace : Col. i. 12, ' Who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.' First we…
1,099 wordsSECTION 106Section 106
VeK. 12.] SERMONS UPON TITUS 11. 11-14. 169 wlien tliere is such a strong bent in your souls, strike while the iron is hot ; you may have more hindrances, but never more helps. Again, Tve owe more than we are worth already, and why should w^e run more in debt ? The longer you continue in sin, the higher will your acco…
1,143 wordsSECTION 107Section 107
Use 2. Is to reclaim us when we are greedily set upon other busi- nesses and projects than the great business of our lives, as to get wealth, honour, and great estates. Eemember what is thy duty and work in this present world. Consider — 1. The shortness of life. We have a great deal of work to do in a little time, th…
931 wordsSECTION 108Section 108
172 SERMONS UPON TITUS 11. 11-14. [SeR. XII. appear to be the greatest wisdom at length, and not to spend your lives in getting honours or pleasures, or screwing yourselves into the favour of great personages. It is commonly said of a man that hath gotten an estate, that he hath spent his time well ; but the apostle c…
921 wordsSECTION 109Section 109
• the patience of hope.' To every grace he gives a proper action ; there is ' the work of faith, the labour of love, and the patience of hope.' Faith propounds work, love makes us to labour and sweat at it, and hope makes us wait with patience for our reward and recompense ; Eom. viii. 25, ' But if we hope for that we …
976 wordsSECTION 110Section 110
VeR. 13.] SEKMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 175 of horror and sad despair. It is the greatest evil that can befall j'ou, to lose all your hopes in an instant. Well, then, this looking for the blessed hope is not a slender imagination, an unadvised rash confidence, such as is lost whenever we begin to be serious, either by…
1,090 wordsSECTION 111Section 111
(2.) It bewrays itself by hearty sighs, and groaniugs, and longings after this happiness : Eom. viii. 23, ' And not only they, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit the redemption of our body.' They that have once tasted o…
924 wordsSECTION 112Section 112
VOL. XVI. 31 178 SEKMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. XIL midst of the angels. We are weaned from the world by looking for better things, and so the world is outshined. As a man that hath looked upon the sun, his eyes are dazzled, and cannot see an object less glorious, so when we look within the veil upon our blessed…
1,060 wordsSECTION 113Section 113
5. This blessed hope supports the soul under afflictions and difficul- ties that do befall us in a course of godliness. We counterbalance what we feel with what we expect. We feel nothing but trouble, yet it is not in vain to serve God. I confess we are apt to think so. Saith David, Ps. Ixxiii. 13, 14, 'Verily I have c…
944 wordsSECTION 114Section 114
VeE. 13.] SERMONTS LTOX TITUS U. 11-14. 181 SERMON XIIL Lookhifj for, &c. — Titus ii. 13. Use 1. Information. 1. It informs us that we may look for the reward. Those men would be wiser than God that deny us a liberty to make use of the Spirit's motives ; they begrudge God s bounty. To what end should God propound r…
1,054 wordsSECTION 115Section 115
3. It informs us that it is a false hope that doth not urge to practice and strictness of life. Some men make full account to go to heaven, but make no preparation for it ; their course is another way ; there is not only an unsuitableness to their hopes, but a contrariety. If there were only an unsuitableness, it were …
921 wordsSECTION 116Section 116
184 SERMONS UPON TITUS II, 11-14, [SeR. XIII. his being, his Godhead is manifested by present sensible effects, but we scruple his rewards, which are wholly to come; therefore let us strengthen and help faith as much as we can. The word is clear in this point. Now God hath been true in all things : Fidelis in opmibus,…
1,153 wordsSECTION 117Section 117
[1.] Let me press you to get an assured title to heaven. In a matter of such moment, would a man be at an uncertainty ? Can he be quiet and not sure of heaven ? Not to look after it is a bad sign. A godly man may want it, but a godly man cannot shght it. A man may want it, he may creep to heaven ; some are ' scarcely s…
914 wordsSECTION 118Section 118
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 187 awake "with thy likeness.' In some special seasons doth hope set the mind a- work. In times of trouble and present sufferings we enjoy a happy dedolency ; the mind is untouched, whatever the body suffereth. When we are summoned to the grave, and bodily sicknesses put you in …
968 wordsSECTION 119Section 119
But a little to set it before you. In blessedness there must be a removal of all evil, and a coacervation and complete presence of all that is good. As long as the least evil continueth, a man is not blessed, only he is less miserable. If a man had all things that heart could wish for, what would it avail him ? as Hama…
949 wordsSECTION 120Section 120
190 SERMONS UPON TITUS IL 11-14. [feER. XIV. can there be an influence of grace but we are apt to be proud of it ; there is a worm in manna ; but then we are most high and most humble, because most holy. 0 christians 1 is not this a blessed hope that telleth you of a sinless state, of being like Christ in purity and h…
724 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.