PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 1
Thomas Manton · 332,975 words · 331 reading sections
Section 61
Object. But is it lawful thus to wish to be accursed ? Certainly Paul could not wish himself to love Christ less, or to be less beloved of him ; for these things we cannot part with them without sin ; but in our enjoyment of Christ there is a happy part, some personal happiness which resulteth to us. Now all this he co…
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1. That we may more solemnly warn ourselves of our own duty. In prayer there is an implicit vow, or solemn obligation, that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what they ask. It is a preaching to our- selves in God's hearing. So that every word we speak to God is a lesson to us, and our requests are so many exhortation…
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3. We need uprightness and sincerity, that we may mind the glory of God. This is not a work of nature, but grace : Phil. ii. 21, ' All men seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.' There is the fruit and effect of nature, it puts men upon seeking their own things, worldly ease, profit, and pleasure. Eve…
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78 AN EXPOSITION OF [Mat. VI. 9. home he comes : so that we had need to deal seriously with God about this submissive spirit. [5.] Humility ; that we may not put the crown upon our own heads, but may cast it at the Lamb's feet ; that we may not take the glory of our graces to ourselves. God's great aim in the covenan…
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1. We acknowledge God's dominion over the spirits of men, which is a great honour to God, and a quieting to us. It is a title often given to God in scripture, that he is the ' God of the spirits of all flesh.' If they had a magistrate to choose, they go to God : Num. xxvii. 16, ' Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of…
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But that is not all ; it is not enough we discover that, but also our submission to his wise and powerful government, when we refer the matter to his disposal, and can see that he can work out his own ends Mat. VI. 9.] the lord's prayer. 81 out of all the confusions which liappen there ; out of sins, errors, wars, bl…
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[4.] You are directed again, when the glory of God and sanctifying of his name either sticks with us, or sticks abroad, God must be specially consulted with in the case. When our hearts are backward, then. ' Lord, open thou my lips ; ' Lord, affect me with a sense of thy kindness and mercy. When it sticks abroad, when …
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To hallow and to sanctify is to set apart from common use, and so to sanctify the name of God, is to use it in a separate manner, with that reverence and respect which is not used to anything eLse. JSo that when we pray that God's name may be hallowed or sanctified, we 84 AN EXPOSITION OF [MaT. VI, 9. desire tliat, a…
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86 AN EXPOSITION OF [Mat. VI. 9. Here I shall show : — 1. How many ways God's name is sanctified. 2. Why God will be so glorified as that he may be sanctified. First, How many ways is God's name sanctified ? I answer, either upon us, or by us. [1.] Upon us, by the righteous executions and judgments of his providen…
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3. In our actions. Our actions may be parted into two things, — worship, and ordinary conversation. (1.) In our worship, there God especially will be sanctified. Lev. X. 3, ' I will be sanctified in all that draw near unto me.' God is very tender of his worship : sancta Sanctis, holy things must be managed by holy men…
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Use. To press us so to glorify God, as we may also sanctify him. Let this be your care. To quicken you, remember — 1. God is much offended with his people that do not sanctify him. Mat, VI. 9.] the lord's prayer. 89 Moses and Acaron, as choice and as dear to God as they were, yet you know what the Lord saith, Num. x…
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1. Universal. 2. More particular and special. First, There is a universal kingdom over all things ; over angels and devils ; over men elect and reprobate ; over beasts and living creatures ; and over inanimate things, sun, moon, and stars. This is spoken of: 1 Chron. xxix. 11, ' Thine is the kingdom, 0 Lord, and thou…
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92 AN EXPOSITION OF [MaT. YI. 10. [2.] There is a kingdom of glory consummate, when sin and death is utterly abolished, and the elect perfectly separated from the reprobate, and conducted into heaven, and there remain with the Lord for ever. This is a kingdom : Mat. xxv. 34, ' Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit th…
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1. The state of the gospel, or evangelical state, it is God's kingdom, in regard of the monarch whom God hath set up, that is, Jesus Christ, the great Lord of all things. There is no king like him : God hath made him ' higher than the kings of the earth,' Ps. Ixxxix. 27. How doth he exceed all other monarchs and potent…
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3. In regard of the laws and manner of administration. I shall not speak of the external political government of the church, which questionless is monarchical, I mean in regard of Christ the Head ; though it be aristocratical in regard of officers, and, in some respect, democratical, with reference to the consent of th…
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Mat. VI. 10.] the lord's prayer. 97 are united to Christ ; and Christ intercedes for ns, and will brint^ us to God again. And in this spiritual manner is tliis kingdom carried on. So that if we would enter into this kingdom, we must go to God the Father, and confess we are rebels and traitors, but desire ho would not …
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2. As you should be more holy, wary, watchful, that you do not break the laws of Christ, for you have consented to him ; so live as kings, exercising all acts of regality within your own souls, ruling your own spirits, exercising judgment over your own hearts, and over every affection that will not be bridled. It is a …
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100 AN EXPOSITION OF [MaT. VI. 10. to his sceptre. Look, as the Spirit of God works lioly inotions and gracious desires in the hearts of God's children, so the devil is ' at work in the children of disobedience,' Eph. ii. 2, framing wicked devices, carnal desires, evil thoughts against God. Man is such a perfect slave…
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[5.] The difficulty of casting off the sovereignty of Satan, lietl; partly in ourselves and partly in the devil. Partly in ourselves. As in the Israelites going out of Egypt, the difficulty lay, not only in gaining the consent of Pharaoh, for he pur- sues after them when they were gone, but also in persuading the peop…
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[7.] Christ is not received and entertained as Lord and King, but where his laws are obeyed : Col. ii. 6, ' As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.' If you receive him as Lord and King, so also obey him. And Heb. xii. 28, * We receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace …
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To conclude : All this grace is offered to you ; if you refuse the offer, your condition is worse than if it had never been tendered to you. The Lord hath sent his Son to help you out of the power of the devil, and bring you in heart and life again to himself ; if you refuse this, then ' This is the condemnation, that …
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Use 1. For reproof to those that Avould be glad iu their hearts if Christ's kingdom woidd never come. As to the kingdom of grace, in the external administration, they ' hate the light, and will not come to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved :' John iii. 20. A wicked man is loth to be troubled. God's witness…
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108 AX EXPOSITION OF [Mat. VI. 10. [1.] Because of tlie offence, scandal, and mischief done to the church by his fall ; and to make amends, he prayeth the more earnestly, let not Zion fare the worse for my sake. From thence observe, that the sins of particular persons oft bring a mischief upon the whole com- munity. D…
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3. For comfort and deliverance in afflictions. We should pity the distressed chiu'ch, as before ; that God would redeem them out of all their troubles. Every true member of the church hath life from Christ ; and that life giveth feeling, and that feeling aftection and sympathy to rejoice and mourn. They that mourn for …
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Mat. VI. 10.] the lord's prayer. Ill these things presently produced upon the stage of the world. So some carry it. I think rather it is to he meant of his personal coming. There are two mystical scriptures which do express all the intercourse which passeth between God and the church in the world, and they are both cl…
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But quitting these notes, I shall mainly insist upon this point, viz. : Doct. That the church, and all the faithful members of it, do really and heartily desire Christ's second coming. They look for it, they long for it, they wait for it. They look for it: Phil. iii. 20, ' Our conversation is in heaven ; from whence …
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II. If we respect the persons desiring this coming, there is some- thing in them to move them to it. There is : — 1. The Spirit of Christ. 2. Certain graces which do necessarily issue themselves into this work. 3. Certain experiences they have, which put them upon this longing. 1. There is the Spirit of Christ : 'T…
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3. There are certain experiences that we have here which set us a-longing and groaning for this time : Eom. viii. 23, ' We which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.' When they have tasted of the clusters of Canaan, oh, they long to s…
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118 AN EXPOSITION OF [MaT. VI. 10. 3. He comes to crown us. Certainly there is a longing for this day and coming ; for what is his work ? He comes to crown the saints : 2 Tim. iv. 8, ' Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.' Then he …
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1. Be a preparing. A man that expects and desires the coming of a great person to his house wiU make all things ready, is careful to furnish himself ; when all is sluttish and nasty, and nothing of pro- vision, do you look for your guest ? What have you done as to the day of Christ's coming ? Have you judged yourselves…
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Here consider — I. The substance of the petition. II. The circumstances thereof. Mat. VI. 10.] the lord's prayer. 121 The substance of the petition, ' Thy will be done.' The circum- stances are two : The place where, which indeed intimateth the per- sons by whom, by men here ' upon earth.' Then the manner is set down…
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Well, then, you see what is meant by the will of God, which is the matter about which this is conversant. Then here is the note of appropriation, Thj will, in opposition to our own will, the will of Satan, the wills of men. [1.] To our own will, which is the proudest enemy Christ hath on this side hell, and the cause…
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II. Let us come to the circumstances of the petition, ' In earth, as it is in heaven.' 124 AN EXPOSITION OF [MaT. VI. 10. First, The place, wherein also the persons are noted, in earth, that is, by the men which live upon earth. Why is this mentioned, on earth f [1.] The earth is a place of our exercise and trial, a…
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2. As to sweeten our obedience, so to show us the reasonableness of this obedience. We would have the happiness of the angels, and, therefore, certainly we should come into a fellowship in their duty ; it is but equal we should imitate their holiness. If we would have communion with them in glory, we should have commun…
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IMat. VI. 10.] THE lord's prayer. 127 From, our memory, as we repeat words by rote, without sense, or feeling, or consideration of the importance of them. From our consciences, rather than affections. Austin observes of himself : while he was under the power of his lusts he would pray against concupiscence, but his he…
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3. Those that would have respect to God's glory must do his will. This is the honour of God, when you are at his command. God gloried in Abraham ; rather Cyrus than Abraham is there meant, as the context shows : see Isa. xlvi. 11. Isa. xli. 2, ' The man from the east, whom I have called to my foot.' When you are at his…
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VOL. I. I 130 AN EXPOSITION OF [MaT. VI. 10. US ? A merchant, though he owns the ship, and hath stored it with goods, yet because he hath no skill in the art of navigation, he suffer- eth the pilot to guide it. Certainly we shall but shipwreck ourselves unless we give up ourselves to be guided by the Spirit of God ac…
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4. It is the truest liberty to be subject to the will of God. Then, ' when the Son of God shall make you free, you shall be free indeed,' John viii. 36. How doth the Son of God make us free ? Not from duty, but for duty. He that lieth under the dominion and power of any sin is a very slave. But then are we free indeed,…
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For directions. If you would do the will of God, then — 1. There must be some solemn time of resigning and giving up thy will to him. Naturally we are averse. Now, whosoever is brought unto God, he comes and lays down the weapons of his defiance at God's feet. God hath a right to us, and he will have this right confir…
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5. For the greatest good that possibly can come of it, we should not cross God's revealed will. Many times this is a snare. Men think to be justified by their good intentions. We must not do evil that good may come thereof : Eom. iii. 8. If one lie could save the world, we were not to do it, for the least evil is not t…
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It is a case often falls out, when there is a quarrel between convic- tion and corruption. When light is active and strong in conscience, men dare not go against the apparent will of God, yet their hearts hang another way. We have one carnal affection or other, and then all our business is to bring God's will and ours …
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[7.] A loathness to know the will of God, to search and inquire into it, argueth deceit, and that we are loath to come under the power of it. Some men shrewdly suspect it is true, but are loath to inquire into it : John iii. 20, ' Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither Cometh to the light, lest his deeds s…
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2. This is that I mean, that after conversion God still concurreth. He doth not only give the habit of grace, but actual help in the work of obedience. ' He worketh all our works in us,' Isa. xxvi. 12. His actual help is necessary to direct, quicken, strengthen, protect, and defend us. To direct us : Ps. Ixxiii. 24, ' …
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But may not a man be reclaimed ? Oh no, for he hath a heart of stone : Ezek. xxxvi. 26, ' I will take away the heart of stone.' Every man that comes to be converted hath a heart of stone ; and what is that ? insensible, inflexible. Insensible, he hath no feeling of his condition ; inflexible, he will not be moved and w…
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But is this all, enlightening the eye ? No; the scripture describeth this work of God by opening of the heart : Acts xvi. 14, ' God opened the heart of Lydia, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.' God doth not only hiock at the heart — that he doth by his word, and by the external means — but he…
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JiIat. VI. 10.] THE lord's prayer. 143 of the supreme lawgiver, to exhort him by promises and threatenings, who hath no power to do what he is exhorted to do? I answer : — 1. As to the first; how can it stand with the mercy of God to require the debt of obedience from him that is not able to pay ? God hath not lost …
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Therefore now let me show how doth God reduce and frame our hearts to the obedience of his will. The ways God useth are of two sorts, moral and real. [1.] God works morally, so as to preserve man's nature, and the principles thereof; therefore he works by sweet inclination, not with violence. So he comes with blandish…
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But why is it that still the Lord worketh in us, both to will and to do, unto the last ; and not only begins with us, but still keeps grace in his own hands, so as we shall have our supplies from heaven from day to day ? There are several reasons : — [1.] Because it endeareth God to a gracious soul. The more visits …
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Use. The use shall only be in these two branches : — 1. In doing any good work, let us do all things in him as well as to him. Let us not only make this our scope, that we may do it to God, but let us make his grace our principle : otherwise, when we go to work for God without God, it will befall us as it did Sampson,…
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3. Constantly and unweariedly. Thus do the angels in heaven. The devils they abode not in the truth ; but angels, they do it with- out weariness ; they rest not day nor night, but are still lauding, praising, and serving God, and are never weary. God in communion is ever new and fresh to them ; the face of their heaven…
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[1.] God gives us the possession of them, for he is the absolute Lord of all things both in heaven and in earth, and whatsoever is possessed by any creature, it is by his indulgence ; for the primitive and original right was in him: Ps. xxiv. 1, ' The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof ; the world, and they t…
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152 AN EXPOSITION OF [MaT. VI. 11. up in his bowels ; and then they will be sweet, and relish much better with a gracious soul, because he can not only taste the creature, but the love of God in the creature. [3.] He gives the continuance of our blessings, that we may keep what we have ; for unless the Lord do daily …
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[5.] It is he thatgiveth us ability to use them : we beg that we may not only have the comforts, but life and strength to use them; for God can blast us in the very midst of our enjoyments. It is the case of many, when they have hunted after a worldly portion, and begin to think, now I will sit down and enjoy it; when …
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Secondly, That the Lord doth freely and graciously give these good things to us, that is, merely out of his bounty and goodness. It is not from his strict remunerative justice, but out of his grace. The very air we breathe in, the bread we eat, our common blessings, be they never so mean, we have them all from grace, a…
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[3.] When we do our best we cannot deserve these mercies, or merit aught at God's hands ; for all we do is already due to God, as we are his creatures, and the paying new debts will not quit old scores. The question is propounded : Job xxii, 2, ' Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable un…
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But because many have too weak a faith about temporal things, let us consider how willing God is to distribute and give out these sup- plies. Several things I might mention. 1. God's respect to the bodies of his people is a mighty ground and encouragement. God is in covenant with the body as well as the soul. Jesus Ch…
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Use 2. Let us not place our confidence in second causes, but in God, by whose goodness and providence over us all temporal things do come unto us ; for without him all our carking and labour is nothing ; and if we have our wishes without labour, yet we shall not have our comfort and blessing without God : Mat. vi. 27- …
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Mat. YI. 11.] the lord's prayer. 161 come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.' Tlicn, ver, IG, * 0 Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name, cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.' Though you yourselves have been purchasers of your own estate, and car…
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(2d.) It is mercy, if we consider not only our want, but our forfeiture. It is not only mercy, but pardoning mercy ; at least a reprieving from Mat. VI. 11.] THE lord's prayer. ^t>3 trouble, for we deserved the contrary. There is a kind of temporary pardon, which continueth all these blessings. It is as great a curse…
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2. Nothing is deserved, and therefore certainly everything should be kindly taken. If a man be kept at free cost, and maintained at your expense, you take it very ill if he murmur and dislike his diet. Certainly we are all maintained at free cost, and, therefore, we should with all humble contentation receive whatever …
925 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.