PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 1
Thomas Manton · 332,975 words · 331 reading sections
Section 241
2. With respect to the persons themselves, there are many special reasons. These had been the most faithful and laborious s^wants of the Lord, and public eminent instruments of his glory : Moses a giver of the law, and Elias a restorer of the law ; Moses faithful in all the house of God, and Elias zealous for the glory…
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Mat. XVII, 3.] Christ's transfiguration. 3G1 indulge him this peculiar prerogative, to be raised from the dead and enjoy blessedness both in soul and body before the last day ? He granted it to Enoch and Elias, and those who came out of their graves after Christ's death, Mat. xxvii. .53 : the great harvest is at the l…
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[1.] In respect unto Christ his death was efoSo9, for he went out of this mortal life into glory, and so it implieth both his suffering death and also his resurrection : Acts ii. 24, ' God hath raised him up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was impossible he should be holden of it.' The grave was like a wo…
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364 Christ's transfiguration. [Ser. III. fore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.' Herod's con- science could not digest John's murder, therefore he twice saith it is John, it must needs be John. The third opinion was that of the disciples, ' Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,' John vi, 69. Now,…
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Use 1. For confutation of the Jews, and to show their obstinacy in not receiving Christ as the Messiah. God had told Moses, Deut. xviii. 18, ' I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren like unto thee ; and will put my words into his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him ; and w…
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2. A mediatorial sacrifice : Isa. liii. 3, ' When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin ;' Eph. v. 2, Christ ' hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet- smelling savour.' He hath undertook the expiation of our sins, and Mat. XVII. 3.] Christ's transftguration.…
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III. The state of future glory and felicity. 1. The dead in the Lord are not perished, but live for ever with God in heaven : for here they appear long after their departure hence : Luke XX. 38, ' He is not the God of the dead, but of the living ; for all live unto him.' They all live to God. Though they are gone out …
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Use. Well, then. Christian religion is true, Christ's death necessary, eternal life certain. Oh let our time, and hearts, and care be taken up aboiit these great and glorious things ; meditate on them, seek after them. First begin with the sureness of Christian doctrine, that you may lay a good foundation ; that Christ…
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Observe hence our weakness during the time we are environed with mortality, that we cannot bear up long under spiritual duties ; either our hearts are soon overcharged with wonder and astonishment, or else we yield to natural infirmities. However, let it be a warning to us against sleepiness in the worship of God, It i…
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Mat. XVII. 4.] Christ's transfiguration. 373 sight and spectacle, thinketh not of kindred, friends, or household, or any kind of worldly comfort, but saith only, it is good to be here ; so that it teacheth us that the delights of the other world make us forget all our concernments here below : all shall be forgotten a…
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Doct. 1. That the state and condition of the glorified saints is a most delightful state and condition. For when Peter had but a glimpse of it in the transfiguration of Christ, it seemed so ravishing and transporting, that here would he abide and stay by it ; so was he affected with joy in the company and presence of …
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(2.) In body : Phil. iii. 21, 'Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.' The body shall be endued with all glorious qualities, as brightness, strength, agility. It is a body wholly impassible and incorruptible, fit for the operations of a glorified soul, and with it shall fo…
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Docf. 2. That one of the diseases of mankind is that we catch at felicity, without considering the way that leadeth to it. Peter seeing and apprehending this estate to be an estate of happi- ness and glory, doth not consider what he must first do and first sufier before he could come to converse with Christ and the gl…
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4. The difficulty of salvation lies not in a respect to the end but the means, and therefore the trial of our sincerity must rather be looked for there. There is some difficulty about the end, to convince men of an unseen felicity ; but that may be done in part by reason, but savingly and thoroughly by the Spirit of re…
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3. That good is not always the good of the flesh, or the good of out- ward prosperity ; and, therefore, certainly the good of our condition is not to be determined by the interest of the flesh, but the welfare of our souls. If God should bestow upon us so much of the good of the outward and animal life as we desire, we…
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382 Christ's transfiguration. [Ser. V. beloved child ? he would be apt to answer, No. But this poor creature, after he hath been exercised, and mortified, and gotten some renewed evidences of God's favour ; ask him, then, Is it good to be afflicted ? Oh yes, I had been vain, neglectful of God, wanted such an experienc…
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I shall begin with the dignity, honour, and glory of Christ, solemnly declared from heaven. There are three things in it : — 1. The relation between him and the Father : he is a Son. 2. The dearness of that relation : his beloved Son. 3. The complacential satisfaction which he taketh in him, and the price of our red…
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[3.] The testimony of his love to him as mediator ; for his unspeak- able rejoicing in him, as second person in the Trinity, we are not com- petent judges of. It is described : Prov. viii. 30, ' I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him.' The mutual complacency which the divine persons take in one another is…
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This, then, must be interpreted: — [1.] As to Christ. [2.] As to those who have benefit by him and interest in him. [1.] As to Christ. He was well pleased ; partly, as to the design — the reparation of lost mankind ; partly, as to the terms by which it should be brought about ; partly, as to the execution and manage- …
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388 Christ's transfiguration. [Ser. V. wrongs : Eom. iii. 25, ' Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remis- sion of sins that are past ; ' (2.) No further price for what they need : 1 Pet. i. 18, 19, 'Ye are not redeemed with corruptible things, …
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11. Concerning the weight and importance of this truth. 1. It is propounded as the foundation upon which God will build his church : Mat. xvi. 16-18, ' And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him. Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blo…
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Mat. XVII. 5.] Christ's transfiguration. 391 was owned as a Son : Ps. ii. 7, ' Thou art my Son : tliis clay have I begotten thee.' As a beloved Son, in whom God is well pleased : Isa. xlii. 1, ' Behold my servant whom I uphold, my elect in whom my soul delighteth.' If you be not wanting to yourselves, you may have thi…
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2. The matter of the words show his fitness for this office, for here you have : — [1.] His dignity : not a servant, but a Son : Heb. iii. 5, 6, ' Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, but Christ as a Son over his own house.' Now the old prophecies foretold the union of the two natures in his perso…
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1. By the titles given to him. He is compared with Moses the 394 Christ's transfiguration. [Ser. VI. great lawgiver among the Jews : ' The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet from the midst of you like unto me, unto him shall ye hearken/ Deut. xviii. 15. He was to be like a Moses, but greater than Moses. A…
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II. About hearing him, that must be explained also. First, What it is to hear ; it being our great duty, and the respect bespoken for him. In the hearing of words there are three things considerable — the sound that cometh to the ear, the understanding of the sense and meaning, and the assent or consent of the mind. O…
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Thirdly, The properties of this hearing or submission to our great prophet. 1. There must be a resolute consent or resignation of ourselves to liis teaching and instruction. All particular duties are included in the general. First, we own Christ in his offices, before we perform Mat. XA'II. 5.] Christ's tkaxsfigurati…
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III. The reasons why this prophet must be heard. 1. Consider whose voice it is who speaketh — the only beloved Son of God, or God himself — and surely when he speaketh he must be heard : Heb. xii. 25, ' See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake from earth, much more s…
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[2.] For the future : Deut. xviii. 19, ' Whosoever will not hearken to the words which that prophet shall speak in my name, I will require it of him ■' that is, he must look to answer it another day. Peter ren- dereth it : Acts iii. 23, ' Whosoever will not hearken to that prophet shall be destroyed among the people.' …
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[7.] Do you hear him so as to prefer God and Christ and the life to come above all the sensual pleasures and vain delights and worldly happiness which you enjoy here ? Eeligion is obstructed, not soundly received, if your hearts be not taken off from these things : Luke viii. 14, ' That which fell among thorns are they…
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[1.] To humble them to whom he vouchsafed so great a favom*. To humble them lest the glory of these heavenly visions should too much puff them up. Therefore there was ever some weakness dis- covered in those that did receive them. Jacob wrestled with God, but came off halting and maimed, though he prevailed, Gen. xxxii…
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[4.] So great that he is fain to put a covering on, to interpose the clouds between us and him, for we are not able to bear his glorious and majestic presence : Job xxvi. 9, ' He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it.' What would become of us if he should discover all his glory ? This is …
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(5.) This should banish the fear of man, as to any danger can come from them to us, or to any attempts against God : Mat. x. 28, ' Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul ; but rather fear him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell fire.' They may threaten great things to us, but…
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2. Other addresses will not become faith and love. [1.] Faith, for whosoever cometh to God must fix this principle in his mind, 'that God is,' Heb. xi. 6. We do not worship God aright if we do not worship him as believers ; and if we worship him as be- lievers, we will worship him with reverence and godly fear. Faith …
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]\Iat. XVII. 6-8.] Christ's transfiguration. 40D assumeth the habit of his humiliation ; as Moses did put a veil upon his face, that the people might endure his sight and presence. God's appearing at first may be terrible ; but the issue is sweet and com- fortable : a still, calm voice followed the earthquake, wind, a…
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Use. It teacheth us what to do when we have serious thoughts of appearing before God. For the case in hand is about those that were affrighted and disquieted with divine visions, which was occasioned by natural frailty, and partly by a sense of sin. Now all of us must shortly come into God's presence, but who can dwell…
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And are not these great points, of a very sublime nature, containing the very vitals of gospel revelation ? Can ministers preach, print too much of them ? Can private Christians hear, read, meditate too much of them ? Oh, they are the to, ^cWt], ' the deep things of God/ in which is manifested the 7ro\v7rolKiXo<; ao(f)…
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[2.] Nor is it abolished as a faulty or criminal action, contrary to the law of God. The sins we have committed are sins still, sucli actions as the law condemneth. Forgiveness is not the making of a fault to be no fault. An accused person may be vindicated as innocent, but if he be pardoned, he is pardoned as an offen…
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420 REDEMPTION BY CHRIST. [SeR. I. executioner of God's curse, and are taken captive by him at his will and pleasure, 2 Tim. ii. 26. This is the woful captivity and servitude of carnal men, that they fall as a ready prey into the mouth of the roaring lion. Now, for this they are liable to the curse and wrath of God ; …
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(5.) The veracity and truth of God. It bindeth the truth of God, which sinners are apt to question : Gen. iii. 5, ' Hath God said ?' and Deut. xxix. 19, 20. We look upon the threatenings of the law as a vain scarecrow ; therefore, for the terror and warning of sinners for the future, God would not release his wrath, no…
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[5.] From this ransom and act of obedience there is a liberty resulting unto us, for the redeemed are let go when the ransom is paid. Now this liberty is a freedom from sin, that we may become the ser- vants of God: Kom. vi. 22, 'Being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.' Christ came not to free us…
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2. As it is a part, so it is a principal part. This will appear if you consider the evil we are freed from. [1.] The power of the devil is destroyed. All the advantage which he hath against us is as we are sinners, guilty sinners before God. For w^e are put into his hands when we have forfeited the protection of our r…
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II. The good depending on it: Luke i. 77, ' To give us the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sin>s.' Eternal life dependeth on it, for you are not capable of enjoying God till his wrath be appeased. As all evil was introduced by sin, so all happiness by pardon. This is an initial blessing, which maketh way for…
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[1.] For impression, there is : — (1.) Likeness ; for an image must be like him whom it representeth. An artificial image of God, or such as may be made by us, is forbidden upon this account: Isa. xl. 18, ' To whom, then, will ye liken God ? or what likeness will ye compare unto him ? ' What is there among all the cre…
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Col. I. If).] REDEMPTION BY CHRIST. 429 miracles, and the end for which he came into the world ; and this is the great instrument hy which the virtue and power of God is con- veyed to us, for the changing of our hearts and lives : 2 Cor. iii. 18, ' Beholding the glory of the Lord as in a glass, we are changed into his…
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Secondly, The next thing ascribed to Christ is that he is ' the first- born of every creature :' that is, born of God before any creature had a being, or begotten of the Father of his own proper essence, and equal with him before anything was created and brought forth out of nothing. But here the adversaries of the ete…
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432 REDEMPTION BY CHRIST. [SeR. II. tlie two latter without the former will little quiet the heart of scrupu- lous men. His sufferings were great, but temporary and finite — the merit of his obedience much ; but how shall the virtue of it reach all the world ? And if he be but a mere creature, he hath done what he oug…
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Use 1. Then let the excellency and dignity of Christ's person be more upon your minds and hearts ; think often of those two notions in the text — that he is the image of the invisible God, that therein you may be like him. You cannot be the image of God so as he was, but you must be in your measure. ' The fulness of th…
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1. Of the object of this creation. 2. Christ's efficiency about it. 1. The object of creation is spoken colleetively and distributively. [1.] Collectively : ' By him were all things created.' [2.] Distributively : They are many ways distinguished. (1.) By their place : ' Things in heaven, and things in earth.' (2.) …
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Col. I. IG.] christ the creator of all things. 437 him that passeth by or looketh on it ; but before the world was made there was no such glass to represent God. Others would express it thus — that the world cometh out from God as a shadow from the body. But yet this will not fit the turn neither : for the shadow doth…
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2. The design of God was that the whole creation should be put in subjection to the Word incarnate — not only this lower world, wherein man is concerned, but the upper world also. Our Redeemer, who hath bought us, hath an interest in all things that may concern us, that tliey may be disposed of to his own glory and our…
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(1.) Christ came as the eternal Son of God : ' He hath spoken unto us hy his Son.' When he cometh to the angels, he saith, they are servants and ministering spirits. For a short while he ministered in the form of a servant in the days of his flesh — they continue to be so from the beginning to the end of the world. (2…
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442 . CHRIST THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS. [SeR. III. the angels of God. Here is force against force, chariots against chariots, horse against horse, if we could open the eye of faith and shut that of sense. We read, Acts xii. 23, that an angel smote Herod in the midst of his pride and persecution : the angel of the Lord…
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Use 3. Is an encouragement to come to Christ for sanctifying and renewing grace. I have three arguments: — 1. The person to whom we come. To whom should we come but to our Creator, God infinitely good, wise, and powerful ? The creation showeth him good, and whatever is good in the creatures is wholly derived from his …
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Secondly, His sustaining all things by his almighty power : and by him all things do consist. All creatures owe their continuance and preservation to him. The first point is his precedency and pre-existence before all crea- tures whatsoever. Doct. That Jesus Christ had a being before any of the creatures were made. …
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4. Fourthly, That Christ was God subsisting in the divine nature. I shall bring two places to prove that. The first, Phil. ii. 6, ' Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but emptied himself, and made himself of no reputation.' He was first in the form of God, before he appeared in t…
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2. If Christ were before all things, let us prefer him above all things. This consideration is of great use to draw off our hearts from all created things, and to lessen our respects to worldly vanities, that they may be more earnestly fixed on what is eternal and glorious. He that was before the world was will be when…
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4. Christ doth this so as that he doth not overturn their nature ; he worketh by natural and necessary causes necessarily, with voluntary causes voluntarily. He that enlighteneth the world by the sun, causes man to discourse and reason ; the sun would not shine if Christ were not the light of it, nor man discourse if h…
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[2.] As to trust and dependence on his goodness for relief in all our straits and necessities. This is the grand principle that keepeth up an acknowledgment of God in the world, by prayers and supplica- tions : Ps. Ixii. 8, ' Trust in the Lord at all times ; ye people, pour out your heart before him.' When you retire y…
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3. It teaches us a lesson of reverence and obedience. If God be so near, let us observe him, and take notice of his presence. He knoweth what he doth when he sustaineth such a creature as thou art. This thought should continually affect us — that God is with us, still by us, not only without us, but within us, preservi…
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[2.] The next title is apxn, the beginning. I understand it that he is the root and the beginning of the renewed estate. The same degree Col, I. 18.] christ the head of the church. 455 whicli Christ hath in the order of nature, he hath in the order of fi^race also : he is the beginning both of creation, so also of re…
1,004 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.