PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 21
Thomas Manton · 313,086 words · 310 reading sections
Section 241
378 SERMONS UPON PSALM XIX. 13, [SeR. V. bis mask of madness fell off. Though sinners run mad in sin, though they drive on furiously, as Jehu did, yet if we lay before them their wives and children, dulcia pignora, those sweet pledges, if any sense remain, they will forget their madness, and not drive over them. Men a…
1,031 wordsSECTION 242Section 242
2. Wrought in us by the Spirit. Naturally we are full of guile and falseliood, off and on with God ; the deceitful old man ])rcvaileth over then), and hath them under his power : Eph. iv. 22, ' That ye put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt, accoi-ding to the deceitful lusts.' A man …
1,081 wordsSECTION 243Section 243
[3.] A universality of respect to all and every part of God's will. He that is sincere performeth all known duties and avoideth all known sins. (1.) He performeth all known duties : Acts x. 33, ' Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are com- manded thee of God.' Singling out one pr…
936 wordsSECTION 244Section 244
Thirdly, The privileges of being upright ; for it is here propounded as a motive. 1. Your defects will not hinder your acceptance with God. In the covenant of grace, God doth not look after measure so much as truth. Though what we do will not endure the balance, yet it is accepted if it will endure the touchstone. Eve…
1,043 wordsSECTION 245Section 245
4. You will die comfortably when you have sincerely made conscience to serve and glorify God here in the world. When Hezekiah was arrested with the sentence of death, what was his plea ? 2 Kings xx. 3, ' 0 Lord, remember how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good …
1,053 wordsSECTION 246Section 246
Secondly, Positively. He that is upright may be known and tried VOL. XXL 2 b 386 SERMONS UPON PSALM XIX. 13. [SeR. V. by these four things — (1.) His principles ; (2.) His conversation ; (3.) His ends ; (4.) The fruits and effects of his constant endeavours. 1. His principles, which are — [1.] The new nature fitti…
1,104 wordsSECTION 247Section 247
Use 2. To persuade you to be upright. There are many arguments which the scripture useth to press us to it. 1. This will be your safety in all times of danger. They that are upright betake themselves to God, look to God as their paymaster, and God thinketh himself concerned more for them than others. They are under hi…
995 wordsSECTION 248Section 248
[2.] A belief of his all-sufficiency : Gen xvii. 1, 'I am the almighty God ; walk before me, and be thou perfect.' A man that doth not trust God with his all can never be true to him. All defection and apostasy lieth hid in distrust : Heb. iii. 12, ' Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unb…
906 wordsSECTION 249Section 249
We now come to the second motive or encouragement, which is in the text. There is a double reading of these words — that in the margin, and that in the text. In the marginal reading it is, ' Much transgres- sion,' as relating to other heinous sins. In the text, ' The unpardonable sin,' or, as we express it, ' The great…
1,237 wordsSECTION 250Section 250
Thirdly, From the offender, and his temper and quality and advan- tages; as — 1. Sins against light and knowledge ; there is more of the nature of sin in such acts. Sin is a breach or violation of the law ; the more we know of the law, the greater is the offence. Therefore sins are greater or lesser as we have more or…
1,032 wordsSECTION 251Section 251
Fourthly, The difference of sins does arise from the nature of temptations, 1. When a small temptation, a little mSctter, carrieth us off from God ; an handful of barley and a piece of bread, a vain pleasure, a small profit ; and we can hazard our peace, neglect our duty, and pervert our ways for a trifle. Adam for an…
956 wordsSECTION 252Section 252
2. Effective. Though it be but a small sin, yet it weakeneth the interest of God, and so taketh off that awe-bond that is upon the soul to keep it from other sins. A man is apt to grow careless and to lose ■conscience of sin when he giveth himself liberty in the least sin ; for be breaketh the bond and cord which shoul…
981 wordsSECTION 253Section 253
Fourthly, It shows what need we have of constant hatred and mor- tifying of sin, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, Heb. vi, 12, 13. Therefore labour to be humbled for and to strive against the least sin ; as Hezekiah was for his pride : 2 Chron, xxxii. 26, ' Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his…
1,089 wordsSECTION 254Section 254
Secondly, Let us consider the nature of the sin. It is a malicious- contempt and wilful rejection of the truth of the gospel, when it is pro- pounded to us by the Holy Ghost with sufficient evidence ; or else ife is a total and final defection and apostasy from it, after we have received' it, and have been convinced of…
781 wordsSECTION 255Section 255
sations and respects hath God revealed himself to us. Before the coming of Christ in the flesh, God was more known as a lawgiver ; God the Son was manifested obscurely, and the Spirit given sparingly. When God was manifested in our flesh and dwelt among us, the person, dignity, and office of the Son was set forth ; but…
1,097 wordsSECTION 256Section 256
3. It is a wilful, malicious, and blasphemous rejection of this truth, as sealed by the Spirit. To this blasphemy I spake before. [1.] It is a wilful sin : Heb. x. 26, ' For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacri- fice for sin ; ' that which is committed wit…
906 wordsSECTION 257Section 257
But though to fall out of fear be not so heinous a sin, yet a great and heinous sin it is ; for grace should govern fear as well as hope ; and though the coercion and bridling of it be more difficult, yet it doth not excuse d toio, from all sin, but d tanto, only from part of the sin ; and it is very hard to set a chri…
1,151 wordsSECTION 258Section 258
4. Take heed of scoffing and mocking at the word of God, and the serious counsel that is given you to reconcile yourselves to Jesus Christ. The chair of scorners is an eminent preferment in Satan's school : Ps. i. 1, ' Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners…
916 wordsSECTION 259Section 259
2. It bewrayeth itself in the members and gestures of the body ; therefore he saith, ' Mine eyes are not lofty.' 3. It showeth forth itself in some unwarrantable actions besides our calling or beyond our power ; therefore he saith, ' I do not exercise myself in things too high for me.' He that would be a complete humb…
1,009 wordsSECTION 260Section 260
3. Therefore I add, for the truth of his plea he appealeth to God ; and from all those that are affected like David, God will accept of the appeal. [1.] He could in truth of heart appeal to God : ' Lord, my heart is not haughty.' He appealeth to him who knoweth all things. Lord, from whom nothing is hid, thou knowest …
922 wordsSECTION 261Section 261
Ans. We must not conceive so of what was spoken through the in- stinct and inspiration of the Holy Ghost by such an holy person. This is spoken either as — (1.) A necessary vindication; or (2.) A necessary instruction. 1. As a necessary vindication against the censures and calumnies of his adversaries. Saul's courtier…
964 wordsSECTION 262Section 262
[2.J His sharp corrections on his people. One special reason of his smart discipline is to correct pride or prevent pride : Job xxxiii. 17, * That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.' When God seeth his servants to be in danger of being lifted up, he provideth a sharp cure. Paul's thorn in t…
1,027 wordsSECTION 263Section 263
(6.) Because of the mischiefs of pride, what was the bane of our first parents, and the whole world of mankind, but pride? What hath divided the church and tore it iu so many factions but pride? There- fore the apostle, when he presseth to unity and like-mindedness, he givetli cautions against pride : Phil. ii. 1-3, 'L…
921 wordsSECTION 264Section 264
Two doctrines I proposed — First, That whosoever would have any commerce with God should put pride far from them. Secondly, That whosoever would put pride far from them must begin with the heart. This latter point I must now insist upon — (1.) What pride is; (2.) How it bewrayeth itself; (3.) Why it begins with the …
958 wordsSECTION 265Section 265
3. By deeds ; and this comprehendeth our gestures, vestures, and actions. [1.] Our gestures. This scripture takes notice of haughty eyes, and so do many other. Under ' lofty eyes,' he comprehendeth every out- ward discovery of our pride, in gestures, vestures, speech, and behaviour. As long as we hang out apparently t…
1,040 wordsSECTION 266Section 266
VOL. XXI. 2 D 418 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXXXI. [SeR II. put on by the judge of the sports. The apostle telleth us, our Lord ' Glorified not himself as high priest, but he was anointed of God, as Aaron,' Heb. v. 5. If you do not stay for the call of providence, but advance yourselves, it is an untimely desire of promotio…
1,257 wordsSECTION 267Section 267
Once more : It is a very natural sin, because it is at the bottom of other sins. Oovetousness is pride's purveyor ; though in some sense it be the root of all evil, yet it hath a deeper root, a desire to make our- selves and ours great. It is said, Hab. ii. 5, ' He is a proud man, and therefore enlargeth his desire as …
907 wordsSECTION 268Section 268
1. What we have been. Let us often consider the horrible filthiness of our corrupt nature, stinking worse than any carcass before Grod. Take the softest notion of original sin, we wanted a righteousness to place before God : Ps. li. 5, ' I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.' We wanted strengt…
925 wordsSECTION 269Section 269
Thirdly, Constant watchfulness, especially when we are most in danger of this sin ; then Ave should keep a double watch. Pride is incident to all, but especially to those who are ennobled with any excellency of birth, honour, or estate, or parts, or office. Few are able to master their comforts ; they are too strong wi…
907 wordsSECTION 270Section 270
42^ SERMONS UPON PSALM CXXXI. [SeR, II. servant, was laid in a manger, sacrificed two pigeons. He lived in the world as a man of sorrows, born of mean* parents, working at their trade. Justin Martyr saith he made ploughs or yokes : ' Is not this the carpenter ? ' Mark vi. After he entered into the ministry, be was sco…
913 wordsSECTION 271Section 271
This part of the profession may be understood either — First, Of his study, and inquiries of his mind, that he did not search out the hidden things of God. There are certain things which surpa.ss the light and capacity of human understanding: Ps. cxxxix. G, ' This knowledge is too wonderful for me, I cannot attain unto…
1,088 wordsSECTION 272Section 272
In practical matters, some will question the Spirit's dwelling in believers, because they cannot understand the manner. Some saving gface, communion with God, or praying in the Holy Ghost, as if they were but fancies. Some truths cannot be understood without experi- ence, and it is only sanctification that giveth that …
948 wordsSECTION 273Section 273
Secondly, I siiall prove that this intermeddling with things too high for us is pride. I shall prove it by these steps — 1. It is certainly a great disease incident to mankind to contemn things easy, and to busy themselves about things hidden, difficult, and forbidden, Needless speculations and curiosities are a sort …
1,075 wordsSECTION 274Section 274
(3.) It divideth the church by vain jangling about unnecessary things, and turneth all religion into a way of dispute ; for this pride and presuming above our measure is that which breedeth contention. When the weak will guide all, and they will sit judges in matters of religion, and mould churches, even those who are …
921 wordsSECTION 275Section 275
1. It is God's express direction • 1 Tim. vi. 8, * Having food and raiment, let us therewith be content ; ' and Heb. xiii. 5, ' Be content with such things as ye have.' There is a contentment in opposition to covetousness, and a contentment in opposition to pride. They both agree in this, that, have we more or have we …
1,028 wordsSECTION 276Section 276
5. The danger of seeking after these great things. There is danger in the pursuit, danger in the enjoyment. In the pursuit : If our hearts be set upon these things, it is ten to one but that we will step out of the way to obtain them ; for as he that will be rich falleth into a snare, so doth he that will be great, 1 T…
909 wordsSECTION 277Section 277
VeR. 1.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXXXI, 435 is such an honour of estate and privilege that all other honour should become vile in our eyes. They that attend upon God and depend upon him have a sweeter life than they that wait upon princes ; all the honours of the world are but as a dream and child's game to the real glory.…
1,014 wordsSECTION 278Section 278
4. That maxim of our Lord striketh at the root of worldly affection: Luke xii. 15, ' Man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.' Superfluity of wealth is not able to prolong life, or to make it more happy and comfortable to us. You can enjoy no more than you need and use, and you enjo…
992 wordsSECTION 279Section 279
II. His sincere endeavour. The submission he attained unto was not pretended, but seriously endeavoured ; ' I have behaved, I have quieted myself.' He laboured to suppress all ambitious motions, that he might compose his mind to a modest submission to God. Here observe four things — 1. That in the best heart there ma…
1,053 wordsSECTION 280Section 280
3. It is a notable emblem to represent the condition of the wisest and highest of mortal men. The wisest, such as were Christ's disciples, trained up in his own company ; yet an infant is produced to shame 440 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXXXI. [SeR. IV. them, and show them their weakness, whose minds were busied about sharin…
928 wordsSECTION 281Section 281
[2.] The weaned child can do nothing for itself, but is provided for by the care of another ; so should we look upon ourselves as a most feeble and impotent child, able to do nothing of ourselves ; but after we have weaned ourselves from our natural affections and desires, wholly be sensible of our necessities, emptine…
1,059 wordsSECTION 282Section 282
[2.] A contentation in every condition wherein God sets us. Though TeR. 2.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXXXI. 443 it be not so pleasing to us, yet it is that which Grod appoints. Be we rich or be we poor, soHtary or full of company, friends, and relations : Phil. iv. 12, ' 1 have learned to be abased, and abound ; to be full…
967 wordsSECTION 283Section 283
(1.) It is needless ; for all events are in the hands of God, and are to be disposed of at his pleasure ; and what need we trouble ourselves about what God will do for us ? Ps. xxxvii. 5, ' Commit thy ways unta the Lord, and he shall bring it to pass ; ' Ps. Iv. 22, * Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain…
941 wordsSECTION 284Section 284
[2.] Resignation is built upon dependence, and dependence goeth upon two principles — his fatherly care over us, and the particularity of his providence. (1.) That God is a father. As the weaned child is left to the mother's care, so are we to the power and care of a father. God, that 446 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXXXI. [S…
1,048 wordsSECTION 285Section 285
2. But in the issue it will be comfortable. Yea, for the present it breedeth a quiet frame of spirit to refer all things to God : Prov. xvi. 3, ' Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established ; ' Phil. iv. 6, 7, ' Be careful for nothing ; but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thank…
948 wordsSECTION 286Section 286
[2.] Whatever the event be, certainly he will not be wholly wanting to us, nor leave us utterly destitute : Heb. xiii. 5, ' For he hath said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you;' a negative gradation, where the VeR. 3.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXXXI. 449 least is first denied. He will be so far from forsaking us, tha…
1,035 wordsSECTION 287Section 287
Reasons. 1. Because they are instances both of the duty and the success. [1.] Of the duty. Our words are of the more force when our actions correspond, and do not disprove and contradict them ; as the Lord Jesus, that taught humility, was the great instance and example of it : ' Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly ;…
1,250 wordsSECTION 288Section 288
Use 1. To show the reason of public thanksgiving for private mercies. 1. It is more for the honour of God that we should extend the fruit of our mercies as far as we can ; not only for the increase of our own faith, but for the increase of the faith of others. 2. It is for their benefit ; for every believer's mercy i…
909 wordsSECTION 289Section 289
[3.] The keeping up of this hope with zeal and industry is the dis- 454 SERMONS uroN PSALM cxxxi. [Ser. V. tinguisliing character between tlie temporary and the sincere convert. The one loseth his taste and comfort, and so casteth off the profession of godhness, or neglects the powerful practice of it ; the other is …
1,053 wordsSECTION 290Section 290
2. There is another sort of hope of those supplies which are necessary for us during our pilgrimage ; for God hath undertaken not only to give us heaven and happiness in the next world, but to carry us thither with comfort and peace, that we may serve him without fear all the days of our lives. His providence concernet…
965 wordsSECTION 291Section 291
VeR. 3.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXXXI. 457 certainly more noble creatures, such as man is, may expect their share in this common bounty. How much more when there is a covenant, wherein God hath promised to be a father to us ? And temporal bless- ings are adopted and taken into the covenant as well as other blessings, so f…
1,040 wordsSECTION 292Section 292
5. The great benefit that resulteth thence ; present support and final deliverance. [1.] Support : Isa. xl. 31, ' They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.' [2.] Pinal deliverance : Ps. xxxvii. 3, ' Trust in the Lord, and do good, and thou shalt dwell in the land, verily, thou shalt be fed.' Trust is the…
946 wordsSECTION 293Section 293
460 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXXXI. [SeR. V. tliem out of their enemies' liands. Upon their daily attendance upon God, and living upon the hope of what is promised, they will at length overcome. Lastly, No other means, or no means to accomplish the expected end. Supposing it be our duty to continue that course wherein we a…
1,035 wordsSECTION 294Section 294
3. The holy obstinacy and resolution of faith. Kesolve to die hold- ing the horns of the altar. You would not be put off from God ; as the blind man, the more he was rebuked, cried much the more, Mark X. 48 ; or as the woman of Canaan turned discouragements into argu- ments, Mat. XV. 27. Faith is deaf to all discourage…
1,095 wordsSECTION 295Section 295
[1.] I might observe the immediate tie that is between sin and death, as between the cause and the effect, the work and the wages ; how fitly these things are suited by God's wisdom, which disposeth all things into their proper places. On the other side, the connection between re- pentance and life, but not of its own …
1,055 wordsSECTION 296Section 296
2. The next distinction; there is a threefold relation in God; he VOL. XXI. 2 G 466 SERMONS UPON EZEKIEL XVIII. 23. [SeB. I. may be considered — (1.) As an absolute lord ; (2.) As a law-giver ; and, (3.) As a judge. [1.] As an absolute lord, that hath grace at his own disposal: Mat. XX. 15, ' Is it not lawful for m…
1,024 wordsSECTION 297Section 297
II. How contrary it is to the nature of God to be otherwise affected, 1. It would be contrary to the wisdom of God simply to desire the destruction and death of the creature ; for what wisdom can there be in that to mar his chiefest work. Would it become the wisdom of God to have raised such a creature as man is, with…
946 wordsSECTION 298Section 298
III. Wherein God hath showed that he taketh pleasure in our con- versation rather than in our ruin and destruction. 1. In that, when we had forfeited the mercies of our creation, he was mindful of our sin and misery, and gave us warning of it v/lien we were drowned in worldly cares and pleasures, and thought of no suc…
1,077 wordsSECTION 299Section 299
5. By the commission given to his ministers : 2 Cor. v. 20, ' Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us : we pray you in Christ's stead be reconciled to God.' He hath appointed some to call us to faith and repentance, and to quicken us to make ready for eternal life. He has appointed m…
915 wordsSECTION 300Section 300
472 SERMONS UPON EZEKIEL XVIII. 23. [SeR. II. as 3'^our ears by his Spirit ; waited for your amendment for many years, tried you by mercies if they could melt you, by afflictions if they would reduce you to a sense of your dut}'. But all this will not do ; yet you are still alive, and these means continued. What shall…
1,017 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.