PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 2
Thomas Manton · 293,086 words · 291 reading sections
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OLD THOMAS BAKER. I LJNDO^ SAe//. PRINCETON, N. J Manton, Thomas, 1620-1677. I The complete works of Thomas! Manton _ ._ J THE WORKS OF THOMAS MANTON, D.D. VOL. 11. COUNCIL OF PUBLICATION. W. LINDSAY ALEXANDER, D.D., Professor of Theology, Congregational Union, Edinburgh. JAMES BEGG, D.D., Minister of Newin…
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" The Puritans were not enemies to the monarchy. It is simply false to say that they were. The great majority of them protested strongly against the execution of Charles I., and were active agents in bringing back Charles IL to England, and placing the crown on his head after Oliver Cromwell's death. The base ingratitu…
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1. As a man, I am disposed to assign a very high place to the author of these volumes. He strikes me as having been, not merely an ordinary " good " man, but one of singularly great grace and con- sistency of Christian character. He lived in an age when party spirit ran very high, and the faults of an adversary were c…
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2. As a turiter, I consider that Manton holds a somewhat peculiar place among the Puritan divines. He has pre-eminently a style of his own, and a style very unlike that of most of his school. I will try to explain what I mean. I do not regard him as a writer of striking power and brilliancy, com- pared to some of his …
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3. As a theologian, I regard Manton as a divine of singularly well- balanced, well-proportioned, and scriptural views. He lived in a day when vague, indistinct, and indefinite statements of doctrine were not tolerated. The Christian Church was not regarded by any school as a kind of Pantheon, in which a man might belie…
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The value of these expository sermons, in my judgment, is very great indeed ; and it is much to be regretted that hitherto they have been so little known. Of course they are not all of equal merit. Sometimes our author digresses, and wastes his time in discussing questions not necessarily belonging, to the text. But, t…
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H. T. THE PREFERENCE OF DUTIES MORALS BEFORE RITUALS. But go ye and learn ivliat that meanetli, I will have mercy ^ and not sacrifice. — Mat. IX. 13. These words are part of Christ's plea for liis converse with publicans and sinners, at which the pharisees took offence. Three answers he maketh : — 1. From their ne…
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Mat. IX. 13.] morals before rituals. 7 is not only fitted for righteousness, Lut holiness ; not only for holiness, but righteousness. As the sua is placed in heaven, that he may shed abroad his influence everywhere, and nothing is hidden from liis heat and light, so is grace planted in the heart, that it may diffuse i…
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Mat. IX. 13.] morals before rituals. 9 rituals; certainly without them we shall be of no account with God. And partly toi that, when moral duties come in competition with ceremonial, the moral duties at that time must take place of the other, and all positive commands concerning the externals of relij^ion give way to …
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Mat. IX. 13.] morals before rituals. 11 7. If the externals of God's worship instituted by himself must give place to mercy, then externals of human institution ought much more to give place to mercy. Sacrifices were of God's institution, and a way of expressing their obedience and thankfulness in his worship ; yet Go…
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I will mention but one motive. They that do not obey all, will not long obey any, but where their interest or inclinations require it, will break all : as Herod did many things, but one command stuck with him — his Herodias, and that bringeth him to murder God's pro- phet, Mark vi. 20, One sin keepeth possession for Sa…
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2. They place all their godliness and righteousness in outwara observances or external discipline, and so their religion is more in the flesh and in the letter than in heart and spirit ; as the pharisees rested in outward worship only, or some external rules, without the in- ward and real duties either of the first or …
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treason, and cast the money at their feet, Mat. xxvii. G, 7, ' It is not lawful,' said the}^ ' to put it into the treasury, because it is the price of blood ; ' jiretending to be afraid to oftend in the least things, when they had offended in tlie greater. They boggled not at betraying innocent blood, and yet they woul…
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VOL. II. B 18 THE PREFERENCE OF DUTIES: [MaT. IX. 13. hunger-starved, for greediness did eat the flesh and the blood together, contrary to God's law, Gen. ix. 4; Lev. xvii. 13, 14. Mark there: though hunger could not force to transgress Saul's commandment for tear of death, yet it forced them to break God's express c…
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[2.] Be more careful of the substantial than of the ceremonials of religion, and to mind the power of godliness more than the form. The substantials of religion are the love of God and our neighbour. The circumstantials are those ways of worship which God hath ap- pointed, whereby we are visibly to express our love to …
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4. It is more excellent than all the gifts of the gospel. The gifts of the gospel were glorious things — gifts of tongues, gifts of healing, gifts of knowledge and utterance : 1 Cor. xii. 31, ' Covet earnestly the best gifts ; and yet I show you a more excellent way.' What is that ? Love, charity, mercy. Though abiliti…
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In the words we have a threefold description of the true cir- cumcision : how they stand affected to God, Christ, self. I, They worship God in the spirit, II. They rejoice in Christ Jesus. III. They have no confidence in the flesh. 24 A DESCRIPTION OF [PlilL. III. 3. T. They worsliii^ God in the spirit. This clause…
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(1.) With respect to the duties which imply our solemn converse with God, and are more directly to be performed towards him — such as the word, prayer, praise, thanksgiving, and sacraments — surely these must be attended upon, because they are special acts of love to God and trust in him. And these duties are the ways …
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[2.] External worship is but a means to the internal ; as prayer, hearing, reading, receiving, tend to promote love, trust, heavcnly- mindedness, self-denial, mortification, purity of life and conversation. Now, as the means are only valuable with respect to their end, so are these duties of hearing, reading, singing. …
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[2.] Others that make conscience of external worship, prayer, hear- ing, reading, singing of psalms, but not of internal worship, faith, love, and ho])e. The external fornis were appointed ft)r the acting or increasing of internal grace ; and so they superficially are conversant about the means, and never mind the end.…
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3. With trust, hope, and confidence. He knoweth all our wants, can relieve all our necessities : Ps. Ivii. 2, ' I will cry unto God most high, who performeth all things for me.' Worship would be a cold formality if Ave had to do with one that knew us not, or had not suffi- ciency and power to help us. But God is omnisc…
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1. The wonderful mysteries of our redemption by Christ. Thereby, [1.] A way is found out for our reconciliation with God, and how that dreadful controversy may be taken up, and heaven and earth may kiss each other, 2 Cor. v. 19. Surely this is glad tidings of great joy to self-condemned sinners, who stood always in fea…
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3. The enjoyments of Christianity are very pleasing. I add this to show you, that it is not all in expectation, if we consider not only what we shall be, but what we are. For the present : — [1.] We have peace of conscience, Rom. v. 1 ; Mat. xi. 29 ; Phil, iv. 7. Rest for our souls is anxiously sought after in other t…
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PlIIL. III. 3.] THE TRUE CIRCUMCISION. 35 such things as are destructive to his soul ? If a friend will take out of our hands the knife with which we would not only cut our fingers but our throats, is he to be blamed ? or is he your enemy who for- biddeth you to drink poison ? Forbidden fruit costs dear in the issue. …
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Use 1. To reprove those that cannot keep up their rejoicing in Christ Jesus as soon as they are mated with any calamity or affliction in the world. Is not grace better than any natural comfort taken from us ? Ileb. xii. 11. ' No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous : nevertheless afterwards it …
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2. It is an act of love begotten in us by the sense of the love of Christ. For love only begetteth love : 1 John iv, 19, ' We love him, because he loved us first.' The object of love is goodness. Now, we loved God in Christ, for the goodness that is in him, the goodness that floweth from him, and the goodness we expect…
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[3.] It is received and believed by faith. This is often told us in the Scripture : 1 Peter i, 18, ' In whom believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory ;' and Rom. xv. 13, ' The God of hope fill you with joy and peace in believing.' We cannot be affected with the great things Christ hath done and pur…
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(2.) Vvr the degree : The heart doth delight in Christ above all other things. As to the sensitive expression in the lively stirring of joy, we may to ai)]iearance be more affected with outward benetits, because Heshly objects do more work upon our fleshly senses, as carry- ing a greater suitableness to them, Pieligion…
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3. When our right is cleared, then we have more abundant joy: 2 Pet, i. 10, 11, * Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure ; for if ye do these things, you shall never fall. For so an entrance shall be administered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord a…
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Phil. III. 3.] the true circumcision. 45 have in heaven a better and an enduring substance/ So Mat. v. 12, ' Kejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven ; for so persecuted they the pro})hets which were before you;' and in many other phices ; and 1 Peter iv. 13, ' Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are par…
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2. The outward duties and performances of religion, especially the ceremonies of Moses. Those, consisting in external observances, are called flesh; and to have confidence in the flesh is to place our confi- dence in external privileges and duties. For the apostle explainetli himself, ver. 4, ' Though I might also have…
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2. Man's externals, invented by themselves, by laws of their own, and outward observances of their own devising. Men's whole religion running out into externals, they are not contented with the forms of worship instituted by God, but add somewhat of their own, and love to bind themselves in chains of their own making :…
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[4.] There is another reason — interest. External forms of religion draw an interest after them, therefore the apostle saith, Rom. ii. 20, ' Whose praise is not of men, but of God ; ' and Gal. i. 10, ' If I yet please men, I were not the servant of Christ.' And ' rudiments of the world,' Col. ii. 8. It maketh a man to …
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52 A DESCRIPTION OF [PlIIL. III. 3. 2. The superficial rigliteonsness cloth not only keep men from Chrit^t, but set them against Christ, his way, his servants, and true interest in the world. These were dogs, evil-workers, to whom the apostle oi)poseth the true Christians. Usually they that are for the form, oppose th…
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2. In the next place, take heed of a superficial righteousness ; for this is plain confidence in the flesh. This maketh you senseless and ignorant of your danger, and careless of the means of your recovery, and so your conviction and conversion is more difficult. And therefore Christ saith, that publicans and harlots e…
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2. A partial outside obedience will not satisfy you. A heart that findeth rest in empty formal services certainly places confidence in the flesh. They neither look after the change of their natures, nor their reconciliation with God by Christ. They challenge God : Isa. Iviii. 3, ' Wherefore have we fasted, say they, an…
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2. The perfection of grace and holiness is such as the saints may attain unto in this life: Col. iv. 12, 'That ye may stand perfect and com- ])lete in all the will of God.' So we are perfect when we want none of those things which are necessary to salvation, when we study to 58 WHAT KIND OF TERFECTION IS [PllIL. III. …
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[2.] There are none but sometimes sin : 1 Kings viii. 46, ' For there is no man that sinneth not ;' and Eccles. vii. 20, ' There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not ;' and James iii. 2, ' In many things we offend all ; ' 1 John i. 8, ' If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the t…
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[2.] When compared with others of the same profession, believers are distinguished into perfect and imperfect. Though none can attain to absolute jjcrfection of holiness, yet there are several degrees of grace, and diversities of growth among Christians, and the strong are said to be perfect in comparison of those weak…
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[2.] As to the improvement of means: 2 Cor. vii. 1, 'Perfecting holiness in the fear of God/ making progress in the way of grace towards i)erfection, when the habit is more increased : 2 Peter i. 8, ' For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall ueither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledg…
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Use 1. Is to press and exhort you to labour after Christian perfection. 1. Motives. What you lost in Adam must be recovered in Christ, or else you dishonour your Redeemer. Now we lost in Adam inno- cency and perfect holiness, therefore you must seek to recover it by Christ, for certainly Christ is more able to save th…
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[3.J Prayer ; for it is God that perfects us, 1 Peter v. 10. He must be sought to ; his blessing maketh the means effectual. 4. Think much and often of your perfect blessedness, which you expect according to promise, which wdll quicken and excite you to more diligence. There is a time coming when the mind shall be fil…
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4. The grown Christian is more humble, he seeth more of his defects than others do. Weak Christians are more liable to be puffed up than the wiser and stronger ; for the more men increase in grace, whether knowledge or holiness, the more they know their emptiness, unmortifiedness, and manifold sins and failings, the mo…
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^ Qu. ' the world ? ' — Ed. 70 A PERSUASIVE TO UNITY [PlIIL. III. 15. Christ, is always lost tliiough tlioir own ])cevisliness ; at least, they lose ^vent advantai^cs of promotiiij]^ the kingdom of Christ. [3.] To prevent this open rupture, there must be all lenity used and mutual forbearance. We must not rigorously…
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2. As to the persons contending, there is a difference. The apostle, when he persuadeth this lenity and mutual forbearance, excepts those that raise troubles in the church, and distinguisheth between erring Christians and their factious guides: Phil. iii. 2, 'Beware of dogs, beware of evil-workers, beware of the concis…
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I answer : — 1. Our rule is plain ; and as it distinguisheth error from truth, so weakness and j^artial Christianity from that which is more perfect nnd thorough. Besides, it is clear some have not the gifts of know- ledge and experience that others have, nor such advantages of educa- tion and study, and helps of know…
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[5.] ' One faith,' jldes quce credUur : he meaneth the doctrine of faith in the gospel. We agree in the same fundamental truths of the gospel as the only object of saving faith, and shall we strive about things of less importance and moment? Tliere is but one gospel, wliich is the seed of our new birth, the rule of our…
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(1.) Upon the supposition tliat they were already converted to tlio Christian iaith, and were sincere in the belief and profession of it. Those that belong to God will one time or other be enlightened in the knowledge of all necessary truths : ' For God that hath begun a good work, will perfect it,' Phil. i. G. If the …
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2. Take more notice of their graces than of their infirmities. Is there no good thing found in them ? Rev. ii. 6, ' But this thou hast, tiiat thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans.' See also ver. 2 and 5. He beginneth and endeth with their commendation, though in the middle of the epistle he reproveth them for their…
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Secondly, His preaching the gospel. First, His miracles. ' The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.' This was foretold : Isa. XXXV. 5, 6, ' Then the eyes of the blind shall be open, and the ears of …
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Mat. XI. 6.] the ready way to blessedness. 81 moral incapacity, and so is a forerunner of eternal happiness : and here it is ascribed to not being offended in Christ when lie is suffi- ciently revealed to us, as it removeth the impediment of our faith, which is always some offence and disUke that we take at Christ and…
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2. They were offended at his doctrine, the mysteriousness of it, as when he had spoken of eating his flesh and drinking his blood, they could not tell what to make of it. If it signified anything, it signified his death, and that was a point not to be touched upon in the hearing of them that expected a glorious, pompou…
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[4.] The world may not be able to bear the owning of these truths ; and therefore, those who set them afoot may be disgraced, afflicted, and reproachfully used ; but the knowledge of a hated truth is a greater argument of God's favour than the prosperity of the world : Prov. iii. 32, ' Envy thou not the oppressor, and …
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(4.) The mysteriousness of it above all natural reason. The devil 86 ' NOT TO BE OFFENDED IN CnniST [MaT. XL 6. playcth on all hands ; pometimes the doctrine of the gospel is too plain, sometimes too mystical. It cannot enter into their hearts to conceive how God should be distinguished into three persons, how God sh…
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3. There is a total and there is a partial off'ence. The total offence is when men will give Christ no place in their hearts, but remain in their infidelity : John viii. 24, ' Because ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.' When they will take no warning, they shall perish for despising the remedy. The…
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[2.] The scandalous and evil practices of professors. These do not only infect but offend many, and cause them to stumble at religion, or fall into a dislike of the way of salvation. Scandal is far more dan- gerous than persecution. In persecution, though many be dis- couraged, yet others are gained to a liking of reli…
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2. I shall show you the heinousness of it. [1.] It is unreasonable. Whatsoever hindereth any man from coming to Chri.st or embracing the gospel, it is an offence not given but taken. There is nothing in Christ to make us stumble and be offended at him : — Jer. ii. 5, ' What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that…
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WISDOM IS JUSTIFIED OF HER CHILDEEN. For Jolin came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Beheld a man gluttonous, a friend of publicans and sinners. But ivisdom is justified of her children. — Mat. XI. 18, 19. In this context Christ had lik…
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2. That men are qualified according to the dispensation wherein God useth them. John, as a preacher of repentance, was austere ; Christ, as a giver of pardon, mild and affable. John was to come in the spirit and power of Elias, and therefore to imitate him in his course of life. He was sent forth to raise and awaken a …
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[2.] Christ would live a strict, but sociable and charitable life, and did not observe the laws of })roud i)harisaical separation, but spent his time in doing good, and healing all manner of bodily diseases, and in- structing the souls of men upon all occasions. There is a disposition in men, by a foolish singularity, …
1,323 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.