PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 16
Thomas Manton · 320,138 words · 314 reading sections
Section 181
VeR. 14.] SERMOXS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 283 delays ; but when we are acted and quickened by the mighty Spirit, then ' draw us, and we will run after thee/ Cant. i. 4. AYhen the Spirit puts forth its force upon the soul, such as are drawn by the Holy Ghost, they are not in jest, as carnal men are, but in earnest ; they…
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1. Consider how violent and earnest carnal men are in the ways of sin, and shall they serve Satan better than you serve God ? Oh ! con- sider, you have a better master, better work, and better wages ; their master is the devil, their work is the basest drudgery, being slaves to their own lusts ; and their wages are sui…
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286 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. XXII. not have as much care to save yourselves as to ruin and damn j^our- selves ? You made haste to do evil, as if j'ou could not be damned soon enougli ; now in reason you should be as zealous for God as for Satan. Heretofore we could riot away the day, and card away the night…
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But you will say. How do you force this zealousness and earnestness for good works out of what Christ hath done ; for if he hath done so much, what need we (Jo any more ! I answer — He is gone to heaven as the captain of our salvation, and we must follow him in the same way ; he is gone to seize upon heaven in our rig…
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7. Consider that all things in the christian religion are transcending and high, and call for somewhat more than ordinary. There are great obligations, holy precepts, rich advantages, glorious hopes. Great obli- gations : God was devising what he should give us, and in the covenant he hath given us himself, and could g…
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9. Cuni^ider, there is no danger in zeal ; we cannot do too much in solid piety. The least is more than enough in sin, because everything is too much there ; but in grace there is never enough. In external worship indeed there may be too much, as in pomp and ceremonies ; when men will be decking God's ordinances with g…
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12. Consider how dishonourable it is to the living God to serve him 292 SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. [SeR. XXII. ■uith a dead heart and cold affections, when he hath indented with you upon such glorious and noble terms. Heathens, that worship the sun, offer to him a flying horse, because of the swiftness of his moti…
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2. Consider the certainty of it. When the word is gone out of God's mouth, it shall not be recalled. The Lord prizeth his faithfulness above all things. The scripture must be fulfilled whatever inconveniences come of it. Mark the whole course of providence, and you will find that God is very tender of his word ; he val…
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excellent in me, that whoever among you, whatever he be, that is touched with a sense of his sin and misery by nature, if he will rim to Christ for refuge, take sanctuary in Christ, if he doth belong to my unchangeable purposes of grace, I will surely without miscarrying bring him to a sure and eternal possession of gl…
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2 Thes. i. 10, ' Christ shall be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe.' This place chiefly concerns the angels, when God puts such clarity and splendour upon the body that they shall wonder what Christ is about to do with such a contemptible creature as man, that newly came out of the grave of …
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SERMONS UPON HEBREWS VI. 18, 299 You see the distance between earth and heaven is so wondrous great that the earth cannot reach it with its mountains, cedars, turrets, smoke, and vapours ; it is so great that a star of the heavens, as big as the earth, seems to be but a spangle : so infinitely more are the workings of…
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Secondly, I am to show that we are apt to suspect his truth in keep- ing his promise. When straits and difficulties come, and things go cross to our expectation, we had need of more than God's single word. There is not one of an hundred that lives by faith, and can bottom his comfort on a single promise, and can rejoic…
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Reason 2. God swearetb, as for tlie confirmation of his grace in Christ, and to show the certainty of our privileges in Christ, so for the commendation and excellency of them. An oath is not lawful but iu weighty matters ; it must be taken in judgment, as well as in right- eousness and truth, Jer. iv. 2. In judgment, t…
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2. This oath is so sacred, because the name of God is invoked in it. It is the name of God that giveth credit to all other oaths. When men swear, saith the apostle, ' They swear by a greater,' Heb. vi. 16, by a higher power. Men by sin have lost their credit, and therefore they pawn the credit of God. Every oath is an …
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To clear it by instances. Sometimes the Lord swears ' by himself,' Jer. li. 14; sometimes 'by his holiness,' Amos iv. 2; and in other SERMONS UPON HEBREWS VI. 18. 305 ])laces ' by his excellency,' Amos vi. 8 ; and by his life, * As I live, saith the Lord.' Now in all these there is something answers the appeal ; as i…
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But is any so impudent as to put the lie upon God ? I answer — Yes : 1 John V. 10, ' He that believeth not God hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.' AVe accuse him not only of a lie, but of perjury — [1.] By our carelessness, and the little regard we have to those great a…
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308 SEUMONS UPON HEBREWS VI. 18. saveth but a few. But here is the reason : bodily wants are more pressing, and faith is presently put in exercise. Men are careless of their souls, and content themselves with some loose hopes of ease and eternal welfare. Certainly he that dareth not venture his estate in Christ's hand…
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(1.) The dishonour you do to God. Unbelief accuseth God not only of a lie, but of perjury ; you accuse him of a lie with respect to his word, and of perjury with respect to his oath and solemn engagement : 1 John V. 10, ' He that believeth not God hath made him a liar.' But God forbid, will you say. Why then are you so…
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{2d.) Because we cannot persuade men to a certainty against their SERMONS UPON HEBREWS VI. 18 311 consciences, what should hinder but that now you shouki establish your interest, and that you now make your plea and claim according to God's word and oath, for joy must arise from a sense of it. Your complaining is not …
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Object. All the fear is, these terms are too easy and cheap to give a solid comfort, and many miscarry by sudden and delusive hopes, and this makes christians stand at a distance from their own comfort. Ans. When a man hath God's warrant to show for his confidence, why should he doubt ? If men were once serious in the…
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(4.) In fears of death. We must die by faith, as well as live by faith ; and then comfort ourselves with the promise and oath of God, called here two unchangeable things. We need all the props of faith that can be used. When all things are about to change, then think, God changeth not, though I am changing apace. As on…
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Secondly, The next term is 'strong consolation.' Why is it so called ? 1. It is called so either in opposition to worldly comforts, which are weak, vanishing, and washy. The consolations of the world seem to be strong till they come to be tried. Carnal joy makes a great noise, but is soon gone : ' As the crackling of …
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SERMONS UPON HEBREWS VI. 18. 317 Then he reqiiireth a duty of us, that we fly for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us. 1. For the excellency of our privileges. You know, that which will minister solid comfort to the soul, it had need be excellent. A small matter, though never so sure, will not occasion a st…
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III. How it is dispensed on God's part, and how far it is required on ours ; because every heir of promise cannot speak of these lively com- forts, those sweet and strong consolations of the Spirit. First, On God's part. There is a great deal of difference between christians in respect of God's dispensations. 1. Cons…
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320 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS VI. 18. [2.] Tliougli God is at liberty, yet usually he fills those which are exercised with hard and long conflicts with their corruptions. Comfort is Christ's entertainment for those that return from victory over their lusts: Eev. ii. 17, ' To him that overcometh,' that is, the enemies of hi…
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Use 1. Information in these branches. 1. That comfort is allowed to the saints. I observe it, because we are nothing and deserve nothing unless it be misery, torment, bondage, and so out of guilt we entertain comfort with jealousies and fears. Dolorous impressions are most natural to a guilty conscience ; we sus- pect…
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SERMONS UPON HEBREWS VI, IS. 323 melt away their days in pleasure, and charm and lull their souls into a deep sleep with the potion of outward delights, lest conscience should awake and talk with them. Therefore look to the ground of your comfort and security, whence it cometh : Ps. xciv. 19, ' Tiiy comforts delight m…
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4. It informs us that christians put a disparagement upon their comforts when they are dejected with every fear and trouble. This is much beneath God's oath, the merit of Christ, and the joy of the Holy Ghost, and all the provision the three persons have made. As for instance — [1.] When your comforts are so weak that…
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326 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS VI. 18. longing. And so for thankfulness for mercies ; thanksgiving is the vent of comfort and joy. 3. Though it costs you pains, it will make amends at length. All excellent things are encompassed with difficulty. Comforts would not be rightly prized, nor rightly managed, if they did not cos…
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5. This makes all particular providences of God to yourselves sweet, when they are dipped in love, for ' all things shall w^ork together for good to you,' Rom. viii. 28. Though a single dispensation^ may seem to go cross to your desires and hopes, yet there is no curse in it ; as a crooked stick in a faggot makes the w…
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SERMONS UPON HEBREWS VI. 18. 329 with deep thoughts of God's love and mercy in Christ, God lets in some comfort and sweetness into the soul, which, though it be not assurance, and a solemn testimony of our interest in Clirist, yet it is a refreshment which the soul receiveth, while it admires the riches and the bounty…
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3. Labour after a sense of grace. Grace and a sense of grace differ, for the spiritual acts of the soul are not so liable to feeling as the acts of the body. AYhen I awake, I know I am so ; but internal sense differeth SERMONS UPON HEBREWS VI. 18. 331 from outward. A man may be in a state of grace, yet not always kno…
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5. Give not over strong desires of grace until they be answered and satisfied. Many times there is something which awakens the heart to grow earnest in prayer. Observe what answers God gives : Ps. xxvii. 4, ' One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after.' When holy and strong desires are stirred up in t…
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Doct 3. The true heirs of promise, with wliora God hath pawned liis word and oath to do them good eternally, are such as have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before them. In the description there are two parts, ' flying for refuge,' and ' taking hold of the hope set before them.' The one relates to their…
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2. It is the property of believers to fly to Christ for refuge. This flying may be explained with analogy to the two terms of every motion, which 336 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS VI. 18. are terminus a quo and ad quern, from what we fly, and to what ; and fio we have the perfect method and course which the Sphit observeth in…
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[2.] Let us come to the terminus ad quern, from what we come to what ; they run to Christ as their city of refuge. (1.) It implies earnestness, as in a case of life and death. A dila- tory trifling spirit shows we are not touched at heart. A man scorched with the wrath of God will not linger but fly ; delays are a sig…
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II. For the second branch, ' To lay hold upon the hope that is set SERMONS UPON HEBllEWS VI. IS. 339 before us,' and you must repeat the word flying or running again. Here is another metaphor implied. The apostle having spoken of flj'ing, alludeth not only to the city of refuge, but to that speed and haste men make i…
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(1.) Diligence in pursuit of eternal life in the heirs of promise. It is expressed by working out our salvation, making it our business : Phil, ii. 12, ' Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.' Most men make a jest of it, or a thing of course ; but it must be made the main work, the great pursuit and thing in…
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Use 2. Conviction. It showeth the hardness of their hearts who have neither felt the law work nor the gospel work, but remain like the smith's anvil, softened neither with hammer nor with oil ; neither driven by the threatenings of the law, nor drawn with the glad tidings 342 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS VI. 18. of salvation…
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3. To those which are fled to Christ, and own him as the only sanctuary for poor souls. Press onward to take hold of eternal life. Now you have fled from deserved wrath, run to take hold of undeserved glory. You are past the worst, the rest is more easy. The apostle, Kom. V. 11, 12, puts a 'much more' upon this; 'Much …
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Qicest. What is then dissuaded ? Ans. A perplexing oppressing trouble about sensible and worldly things. Here I shall show you — (1.) The causes of this trouble ; (2.) The nature of it. SERMONS UPON JOHN XIY. 1. 347 First^ The causes of this trouble, which are — 1. Carnal self-love, which is all for bodily ease an…
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2. This trouble did arise from sorrow and immoderate dejection, because of the loss of Christ's bodily presence : John xvi. 6, ' Because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your hearts.' Usually upon the loss or absence of some prized comfort we let loose the reins of our affections, and keep no moder…
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350 SERMONS UPON JOHN XIV. 1. 3. It is contrary to that peace, comfort, and happiness we might otherwise take in the rich provisions and preparations of grace which God hath made for us. It is said, Ps. xciv. 19, ' In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts dehglit my soul.' It is a great point of sinceri…
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3. The great cure is in the text about the exercise of faith on God and Christ : ' Ye believe in God, believe also in me.' Sense is the cause of trouble, faith of comfort. Christ, who is the true physician of souls, knoweth what cure is proper to the disease. Mountebanks would prescribe another cure, spare the flesh or…
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First, For the nature of this trouble. It consisteth — (1.) In a fear of danger ; (2.) Sorrow for some disappointment in the creature ; (3.) A fretting dislike of God's dispensations. 1. Fear is vanquished by faith. That appeareth by that opposition : Prov. xxix, 25, ' The fear of men bringeth a snare, but whoso putte…
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[3.] Not only is the venom gone, but every condition is useful, and hath a blessing in it to the godly. We know this by faith : Eom. viii. Qu. ' flue'? — Ed. SERMONS UPON JOHN XIV. 1. 355 28, ' We know that all things work together for good to them that love God,' Ps. cxix. 71, 'It is good for me that I have been af…
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Secondly, The causes of trouble are removed by faith. As (1.) Self-love ; (2.) The life of sense : and (3.) Fancy or vain conceit. A man that is governed by these, and is under the influence of these, will never be free from trouble. But now faith persuading us of the love of God in Christ, cureth our self-love : 1 Joh…
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XL The object. 358 SERMONS UPON JOHN XIY, 1. 1. Much of the triumph of faith ariseth from its object : 2 Tim. i. 12, ' I know in whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day.' The strength of the ivy lieth in the oak or tree about which it claspe…
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[2.] Here is Christ as mediator. We have great advantage by that consideration. (1.) Hereby w-e see God in our nature, and so near at hand, and I'eady to help us, and more accessible for us to come at, than as God considered in the mere deity : John i. 14, ' The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.' God is come do…
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Use. Direction what to do in a time of troubles and dangers. 1. Hope of exemption from the trial is not that which Christ pre- scribeth, but minding of higher things. We are poor creatures, tainted with carnal self-love, and governed by fancy and appetite, and place all our hopes and happiness in having our supplies a…
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These words are rendered as a reason why those servants that know their master's will are beaten with more stripes than those that knew it not, because they did not improve their advantages. And Christ pleadeth the equity of it from the custom of men, expressed in their common proverbs or sentences, that go from hand t…
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1 Qu. ' nobis et pro nobis ' ? — Ed. SERMONS UPON LUKE XII. 48. 365 reason, have an immortal soul ; and for the body, ' our fle.sh is as the flesh of our brethren,' Neh. v. 5. Yea, they are all involved in the same common misery ; all sinners, all children of wrath, and guilty of eternal damnation. Now there being su…
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[4.] But chiefly is this difference to be understood with respect to spiritual things ; that we have the means of grace, and are called to the knowledge of the truth, while others are left to their own ways, sitting in the shadow of death. Surely it is a great favour that we are not put to spell God out of the dark boo…
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2. Where to seek gifts and graces that are needful : ' If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask it of God,' James i. 5. But then you must use means as well as pray. They that cry for knowledge and under- standing must also dig for her as for hid treasure : Prov. ii. 3-5, ' If thou criest after knowledge, and liftcstup th…
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2. This is the end of the distribution. Wherefore hath God given these talents in any eminent degree, or in such variety to men, but that VOL. XIV. 2 A 370 SERMONS UPON LUKE XII. 48. they should trade with them, and be more fitted for his service ? 1 Cor. xii. 7, ' The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every m…
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Use. Let us improve our trust, and rouse up ourselves, and say, What honour hath God by my wealth, power, honour, greatness ? what protection to his cause ? what relief to his people ? To this end consider — 1. What is your business in the world. Our Lord Jesus said, ' To this end I was born, and for this cause came I…
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SERMONS UPON LUKE XII. 48. 373 hath been amongst them; Ezek. ii. 5. So that all the fruit is, God is clear when he judgeth, but they have no saving benefit by all this. 7. That in improving what is committed to our trust, our returns must carry proportion with our receipts: Mat. xxv. 16, 17, 'He that had received the…
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SERMONS UPON LUKE XII. 48. 375 he that receiveth you receivetb me ; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me,' ver. 40. And for the other branch, 'He that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a right- -eous man's reward ; ' an holy man sent to plant holiness among them, or…
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3. They are not given to all in a like measure ; some have more, others have less. This is also spoken in scripture : Eph. iv. 7, ' To every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ ; ' Kom. xii. 3, ' As God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.' And once more : Eph. iv. 16, ' Ac…
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378 SERMONS UPON LUKE XII. 48. 3. To show his singular love, care, and providence for and towards the church. Such a body as that is needeth distinct oifices, and because there is a diversity of employments and offices, which must not be confounded, therefore doth he enable liis servants with needful gifts and giaces …
1,038 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.