PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 16
Thomas Manton · 320,138 words · 314 reading sections
Section 121
and the matter and fuel of them ia the body, peccant humours and principles of corruption. As wood is eaten out with worms that breed within itself, so there are in our bodies principles of corruption that do at length destroy them ; but there we are wholly incorruptible. Yea, because deformity of the body is a monumen…
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[1.] The happiness of his person, and there both of his body and his soul. (1.) Of his body. It is good to consider that. It is now a temple of the Holy Ghost, and he cannot leave his mansion, and quit his ancient dwelling-place, and therefore he raiseth it up, and formeth it again into a complete fashion, like to Chr…
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(2.) For the blessedness of the soul, which is the heaven of heaven. Our happiness is called ' The inheritance of the saints in light ; ' Col. i. 12, ' Giving thanks to the Father, who hath made us meet to be VOL. XVI. N 194 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. XIV. partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light…
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{2d.) There is complete love. There is a constant cleaving of heart to God, without change and weariness, a love that never ceaseth work- ing without weakness and distractions. If we delight in anything here, we soon grow weary, and have a change of objects; but God in heavenly communion is always fresh and new. Here a…
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VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 197 joyful meeting will thei-e be between us and our Eedeemer ! it will be much sweeter than the interview between Jacob and Joseph. Christ longeth for the blessed hour as you do. The wise men came from far to see him in a manger ; Zaccheus climbed up the tree to see him riding …
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VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON TITUS IL 11-14. 199 the cliristian's glory ; now it is covered and veiled, and therefore now the christian passeth under censures and reproaches ; thus was Christ in the world and we must be like him, but then all shall be discovered. A garden and a field differ little in winter, so doth a chris…
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[2.] The greatness of your engagement to all the persons of the Godhead. (1.) To God the Father. Admire the love of God, that poor worms should be so exalted, that a clod of earth should shine as the sun, that those dark and impure souls of ours should be purified and glorified. God could not satisfy himself with temp…
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202 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. XV. palace. He is gone as a guardian or feoffee in trust, to seize upon heaven in our right, to keep it during our nonage, and he will come again in person, as the husband of the church, to bring us into his Father's house with triumph ; therefore it is said, Kev. iv. 10, that t…
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•to light by the gospel.' The heathens had dreams of Elysian fields, and Mahomet tells his followers of a sensual paradise ; but life and immortality is a revelation proper and peculiar only to the gospel. The heathens were at a loss for the reward of virtue. Austin out of Varro gives us nn account of two hundred and e…
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VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 205 beneath us ; it is but stercus in volutum, dung neatly wrapped up. Here is the sum of all a carnal man's happiness, that which God allows him for his portion. But a christian hath better fare , if he goes into the sanctuary, there is enough , but if he goes into heaven, ther…
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Use 3. It is an invitation to the practice of holiness. Blessedness is a great motive ; David begins the book of Psalms with it, and Christ his sermons ; there is enough in it to allay the sorrows of the present life, and fill up the desires of the life to come. All would be blessed and happy, but we must take the righ…
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Doct. That it is the duty and property of God's children to look for Christ's second coming to judgment. There are two choice scriptures that do describe the communion of the church with Christ, and the dispensations of Christ to the church, and they both conclude with a desire of his coming. In the Canticles, where t…
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VOL. XVI. 0 210 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. XVI. devil, and discovered somewhat of liis divine power, the devils were afraid, as if he were coming to judgment already: Mat. viii. 29, ' Art thou come hither to torment us before the time ? ' The devil cannot endure to hear of Christ's coming ; no more can carna…
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3. Look upon a christian's privileges which we shall then enjoy, and certainly christians must needs desire Christ's coming. The day of judgment is the day of manifestation, the day of perfection, the day of congregation, and the day of glorification. [1.] It is called a day of manifestation of the sons of God : Eom. …
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[3.] It is a day of congregation or gathering together. The saints are now scattered, they live in divers countries, towns, and houses, and VeR. 13.] SEKMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 213 cannot have the comfort of one another's society. But then all shall meet in one assembly and congregation. It is said, Ps. i. 5, ' Th…
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Object. 1. But how can we look for it, when weknow there are some signs that precede the coming of Christ ? Therefore certainly he is not like to come in our days. Will he alter the prefixed time of his approach, and change the Jaccls of that great journey. A72S. (i.) Though Christ keepeth his pace, jei it is good for…
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Use 1. It showeth what they are who wish that it may never come. Some would be glad in their hearts to hear such news, that Christ's coming would never be ; it is their burden and torment to think of it ; as Felix trembled when he heard of judgment to come. These men have the spirit of the devil in them ; if they had t…
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Use 3. Of trial. It is good to see how we stand affected towards this appearing. Nothing can content true christians in the world. Do we look beyond it ? Whither is the bent of our hearts ? How is it with them ? 1. If there were this looking, there would be preparing. A man that expecteth the coming of a king to his h…
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2. There is a sign of the Son of man ; that is spoken of Mat. xxiv. 30, ' Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven ; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.' What it is we cannot certainly tell, until ex…
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VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON TiTUS II. 11-14. 221 was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake.' Guess at it by the light at Christ's birth, that came from heaven, and shone round about the shepherds, so that they were exceedingly afraid : Luke ii. 9, * The glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they …
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[2.] The saints, they are his attendants too. Some shall come from heaven with Christ, others shall be ' caught up in the air to meet the Lord,' 1 Thes. iv. 17. Certainly the wicked shall be left still to tread upon the earth. And this contributes much to the glory of the day, because when Christ appears we appear with…
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Thirdhj, The consequents of that day. I shall name three— sending of persons judged to their everlasting state, giving up the kingdom to his Father, and burning the world. 1. The sending of persons judged to their everlasting state, the •elect into glory, and the wicked into torments. For the elect : Mat. xxv. 34, ' C…
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VOL. XVI. P 226 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. XVII. applaiT^o of the angels. Oh ! how should we strive to be one of this number ! 3. The next consequent is the burning of the world ; that is described at large, 2 Peter iii. 10-12, how that fire shall come out from God, and burn and devour all things, and melt …
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3. He comes in great glory, that he may be as a pledge and pattern and cause of our glory. Christ's coming is still suited to his work. There is his first coming, and that is in humility, for we fell by pride ; he came to redeem us, therefore he comes humbly and lowly, in the form of a servant, as one that came to suff…
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Use 2. 1. Here is comfort to the godly. To you Christ's appearance is glorious, but not terrible ; it is as light, but not as fire ; the trumpet sounds, but it summons you to be crowned. The sign of the Son of man shows your Lord is come ; it is as the shadow of the husband before his person appeareth : this is your J…
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I shall handle these titles conjunctly and severally. I. Look upon them conjunctly and together, and there you may observe the mingliug of words of power and words of goodness and mercy in Christ's style and title. I observe it the rather because it is often found in scripture. But for what reasons are these titles of…
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4. To give us a taste and pledge both of his willingness and ability to do us good. He is a mighty God, and yet a Saviour : certainly 232 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14, [SeR. XVIII. there is a difference between God and man. If we pardon and do ^ood, it is out of need, because we dare not do otherwise ; but Jesus Chri…
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»7. To preserve that mixed aifection which best becomes the present state we are in. Our state is mixed, and we act best under a mixed affection. God would have us not only love him, but fear him ; and therefore he is represented as a mighty God as well as a gracious Saviour, that we may come to him with reverence, and…
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2. As for his kingly office a finite power would never suffice for that. Christ is to break the force of enemies, to raise the dead, to pour VeR, 13.] SEKMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 235 out the Spirit, to bestow grace and glory ; all these are Christ's donatives as king of the church. As a king he is to be an original…
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Secondly, That he is God, and so fitted for this work. In times of delusion it is good to settle foundations, and give you grounds of faith. It may be a discourse upon the godhead of Christ men may think unnecessary : 1 John v. '20, ' This is the true God and eternal life ; ' Isa. ix. 6, ' The mighty God ;' and here in…
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Use 3. Direction. 1. If we would see God, let us look on Christ as we look on the sun in a bason of water. Christ is the character of his Father's person : Heb. i. 3, ' Who is the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.' 2. If we would see sin without horror and despair, let us look on Christ ; …
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Use 2. Get an interest in him. Oh ! be not quiet till you are able to say. Our Saviour. You can take no comfort in the great God until the next title follows, and you can call Christ your Saviour ; but that is matter of joy and comfort: Luke i. 46, 47, ' My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God…
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I begin with the first thing, Christ's act, ' He gave himself for us ; ' that is, to be an expiatory sacrifice. He gave himself to die for us : John xvii. 19, ' I sanctify myself for their sakes ; ' that is, set apart myself as a sacrifice ; ' 1 Tim. ii. 6, ' Who gave himself a ransom for all.' VeR. 14.] SERMONS UPON …
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full of the expression, for Christ seems to speak there by vray of excel- lency ; this was his choice dish, the diet that suited with his appetite. God hath vouchsafed us great store of creatures, but some meats we relish better than others ; as Isaac loved his venison, that was meat for his tooth. And when we come to …
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1. There was a love to us. Christ was drawn to this work with no other cords but his own bowels. It was love that brought him out of heaven, and love nailed him to the cross, and love laid him in the grave, and made him free among the dead. If you ask, Upon what errand came the Son of God out of the bosom of the Father…
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Object. But did not Christ pray that the cup might pass from him ? And did not he fear, and his human nature stagger and recoil at the greatness of his sufferings ? We read of ' prayers, tears, and strong cries,' Heb. v. 7 ; and therefore how was Christ so willing ? Ans. Christ's prayers were rather for our example an…
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2. The gift, ' He gave himself,' not an angel. Among all the trea- sures of heaven and earth, there was nothing more excellent and precious than the Lord Christ. He doth not give gold and silver, but himself to die for us: 1 Peter i. 18, 19, ' Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as s…
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248 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. XIX. prefer an apple before a jewel. So here the Lord sets out to us Christ and the things of this life, and men prefer the base contentments of the world before Christ. Therefore let us accept of Christ if he hath given himself for us. 2. It exhorteth and presseth us to a spir…
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3. It presseth you again to a like readiness in Christ's service as the Lord Christ showed in the service of our souls. Why should we be so backward to come to the throne of grace, when Jesus Christ was not backward to go to the cross ? We go grudgingly when he went so willingly to suffer for us. When the business was …
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SERMON XX. That Tie might redeem us from all iniquity, &c. — Titus ii. 14. I COME to handle the second encouragement, namely, that which is taken from the merit of Christ's death. And therein — 1. Here is Chritit's act, ' He gave himself for us,' to be an expiatory sacrifice and ransom for souls. 2. I come to the s…
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First, To whom we were captives ; to God, to Satan, to sin. 1. To God. We were the prisoners of his justice and wrath, and therefore called ' Prisoners in the pit in which there is no water,' Zech. ix. 11. It is a description of our natural bondage. In our original state we were God's creatures, but in our degenerate …
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2. For deliverance by way of exchange, that seems to have some place here, for Christ was substituted into our room and place so far as would stand with the dignity of his person, and he was made a captive that we might go free from the wrath of God, though he was never in bondage to sin ; so it is said, 2 Cor. v. 21, …
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VeR. 14.] SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 255 1. That it is the ground and pledge of all the rest. Sin being pardoned, the power of the devil is abolished, the wrath of God removed, the guilt of eternal death is taken away: Acts v. 31, 'Him hath God exalted with his right hand, to be a prince and a saviour, for to give …
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3. The next proposition is this, that the fairest part of this redemp- tion is hereafter, then our happiness in Christ is perfect. Luke xxi, 28, ' When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh ; ' Eph. iv. 30, ' Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby…
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VOL. XVI. R 258 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeL XX. you serve sin, what dishonour you do to God, and what disadvantage it iS to yourselves. 1. The dishonour you do to God, to all the persons in the Godhead. To the Father, hy making void the whole plot of redemption. This was the eternal project and design, as it …
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Use 3. Direction. Whenever you are troubled with your sins, and lusts are too hard for you, go to Christ- It is bis office to redeem you from your iniquity and the tyranny of sin ; therefore when you feel any corruption stir, go and complain to him, as Paul did, ' I cannot do the things I would,' Gal. v. 17. Go to Chri…
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Ver. 14.] SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 261 hath chosen us in him hefore the foundation of the world, that we might be holy, and without blame before him in love.' Redemption : Eph. v. 25, 26, ' Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the wor…
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[2.] The ordinances : Eph. v. 26, ' That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.' These are the ordinances that are specially consecrated, and to which Christ's merit reacheth; he hath not only procured the gift of the Spirit, but a blessing on the means, that we may use them with confid…
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Use 2. Information. It informeth us that we are all polluted by nature, for Ave need to be purified ere we are Christ's people. Nay, it sticketh to us ; we change our skin, our outward conversation, but no other laver will wash our hearts but Christ's blood. If we had eyes to see our natural filth, we should loathe our…
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266 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. XXL vTrepiScov, lie overlooked them. The Vulgate reads it clespiciens, he did despise them ; and our old translation is better than the new, ' God regarded them not/ It is usually taken to signify Grod's indul- gence, that he did not deal so strictly with the world, because they…
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[2.] Chiefly because of the life they live. The new creature hath a more noble being than all the creatures in the world, and lives a more noble life. Put the whole world in the balance, and it is not worthy to be compared with the new creature. Those that are purified and sanctified, the world is not worthy of them : …
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4. It informs us that it is dangerous to molest, oppress, and persecute the godly, those that are puritied, because they are God's peculiar ones ; you meddle with the apple of his eye, and to destroy them is sacrilege. Israel is a holy thing : ^^r. ii. 3, ' Israel is holiness unto the Lord, and the first-fruits of his …
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(3.) God owns them in the course of his providence sometimes with outward blessings. Thus God set up Abraham as a mark of envy to the nations about him. As Benjamin's mess was five times as much as the rest, so many times in outward blessings God owns his people. But I cannot much press this ; but the aim of providence…
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272 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. XXI. to enjoy communion with the saints, though with great affliction and. reproach. [2.] Whenever you are brought in to be one of that number, you must take an oath of allegiance to God, for so do all his people ; they take hold of the covenant of God. See Deut. xxvi. 17, 18, …
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3. Carry yourselves as a peculiar people to him. Wherein ? [1.] You must not be contented with common mercies. Every distinct society hath distinct privileges. Now the elect are a peculiar people, and therefore should look after peculiar privileges. A man may have outward things ; and here is nothing peculiar, no argu…
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SERMOX XXII. Zealous of good icorhs. — Titus ii. 14. I COME to tlie last circumstance, the outward manifestation of Christ's purifying;, that he might make us ' Zealous of good works.' I shall consider it partly as the note of evidence of God's peculiar people, and partly as it falls under the aim of Christ's death.…
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3. There are opera Justitice, works of righteousness ; as to give every man his due, to hurt none, to live without wrong to any, or wreck of or breach upon our own consciences: Acts xxiv. 16, 'Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence towards God and towards man.' These are good and profi…
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Secondly, There are the requisites to a good work ; there is the state of the person, and the uprightness of our principle, and the end and rule of our action.s. 1. The state of the person ; the person must be in Christ. Do we gather grapes off thorns and figs off thistles ? We expect good fruit from a good tree. The …
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2. To be zealous is to be self-denying and resolute notwithstanding discouragements. Zeal is a mixed affection ; it consists partly of love and partly of indignation ; and so when I am zealous of a thing, I love that thing, and shake off and hate all that lets and hinders it. Zeal sets us a-work, and holds us to it not…
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\eR. 14.] SEB3I0NS UPON TITUS 11. 11-14. • 231 creature for old works. Good works are cliristiance fidei quasi testes, witnesses that you can bring to evidence the truth and power of o^race. liUther saith. Good works are faith incarnate; that i^, faith is manifested by them^ as the Son of God was manifested in the fie…
1,397 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.