PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 22
Thomas Manton · 279,648 words · 292 reading sections
Section 1
wmsi m ^? ■■'', a' ,^ ' •? "'■'"■ '^5 ; 1 ,1 ^^;^/;,;: v:^ ~l ; W,V--^ ■'■. #^^ .Wi «^ ^^« PRINCETON, N. J. "^ ' Manton, Thomas, 1620-1677. The complete works of Thomas Manton Shelf.. i-^ THE COMPLETE WORKS OP THOMAS MANTON, D.D. VOLUME XXII. CONTAININO SEKMONS ON SEVERAL TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE; TOGETHE…
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3. The direction, or the manner of address; in three things — (1.) Go; (2.) Consider her ways ; (3.) Be wise. [1.] For the first, ' Go ; ' as their fashion was to go to their doctors and teachers : 1 Kings xiv. 3, ' Go to the prophet, and he shall tell thee wliat shall become of the child.' In those days the party, if…
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6 SERMON UPON PROVERBS VI. G-8. the grasshopper, that have scarce a merr)" life for the present, but involve themselves and their friends in manifold inconveniences, living by borrowing when they have nothing to pay, which is but a specious kind of theft and robbery. Or, if they can support themselves for the present,…
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Doct. That serious diligence is required of christians in improving the present season in order to eternal life. 1. There is much work required of a christian. Christianity is not a loitering profession, but is always represented to us as a laborious thing : Phil. ii. 12, ' Work out your own salvation with fear and tr…
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[3.] We have a ruler that will call us to an account if we neglect our duty to him, and that provision that we should make for eternity. Unless we be found of him in peace, and without spot and blameless, we cannot enter into his kingdom ; for ' without holiness no man shall see the Lord.' Every man's qualification mus…
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The reasons are these — [1.] They forget or consider not what God is, or how great and good a master they serve ; for if they did, they would earnestly address them- selves to serve and please him. How great is he ! Poor, sorry service is a contempt of his majesty : Mai, i, 14, ' Cursed be the deceiver that hath in hi…
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[2.] Whenever we feel a loathness and backwardness to our work, let us set about it the more earnestly ; for the more we give way to it, the more we contract an habit of idleness and sloth. It is an industrious creature that is here set before us to shame us, a creature always busy ; so should we be. Therefore when you…
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In the words we have — (1.) The benefit we enjoy by wisdom ; (2.) The persons qualified. 1. The benefit is expressed metaphorically and literally ; the latter explaineth the former. It is 'a tree of life,' and 'happy is every one.' She is so a tree of life as to make them happy that get her ; as it is usual with Solom…
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2. By life is meant the life of grace, begun here by the Spirit, and perfected in heaven. By wisdom we begin the life of grace here, and hereafter shall obtain the life of glory. In the Hebrew the word for life is in the dual number, the tree of lives; of both the lives, the life of holiness and the life of happiness, …
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[2.] When Adam sinned, this privilege was forfeited : Gen. iii. 22, * And the Lord said, Behold, the man is become as one of us to know good and evil ; ' that is, he will be at his own finding and know what is good or evil for himself, and not take my direction, but live accord- ing to his own will : * And now, lest he…
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(1.) Acceptance : John i. 12, ' To as many as received him.' Who- soever do broken-heartedly, thankfully, and heartily take the Lord Jesus to be their Lord and Saviour, and are resolved to seek their happiness in God through him, are adopted into his family, and are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life : He…
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2. It is a new recovery of life lost and forfeited. After our long exile from God, he hath found out a way how we may return to him again, and live in communion with him. The work of redemption Christ himself hath performed for us, without asking our consent, or imposing any conditions upon us. He took our nature, fulf…
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SERMON UPOr PSALM XCl. 1. He that divelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide in the shadoiu of the Almighty. — Ps. xci. 1. This psalm is thought to be composed upon occasion of that great pes- tilence which destroyed seventy thousand in the space of three days, 2 Sam. xxiv. Whether David is the author…
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24 SERMON UPON PSALM XCI. 1. to him, to be governed and disposed of by him at his pleasure, we do not trust him. Therefore this is included in the fundamental article of the covenant, in the choice of God as our God. And so Pwuth's con- version to the God of Israel is expressed : Euth ii. 12, ' A full reward be given …
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(3.) We may lawfully hope for good success though there be no promise, if there be nothing to the contrary ; because God is so ready to do good to all his creatures, especially to his people and faithful servants, when in their distress they seek to him and humbly wait upon him. Surely we ought not to be faithless and …
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SERMON UPON PSALM XCI. 1. 27 yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us ? none evil can come upon us.' Such God will cast off, as Paul cast off the viper that fastened upon his hand. These sleep too securely already in their sins, and God never intended to provide a pillow for them in his prom…
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(2.) The other title is ' Almighty.' We need not warp, nor shrink, nor shift: Gen. xvii. 1, 'I am God Almighty ; walk before me, and be thou perfect' He is able to keep off danger, to give us all manner of happiness. You have his promise who hath power and dominion over all things in the world ; and if omnipotency shal…
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(2.) It implieth assurance of safety and comfort: 'He shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.' We have here his word to build upon : Ps. Ixii. 5, 6, ' My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expec- tation is from him. He is only my rock, and my salvation, and my defence ; I shall not be moved.' What should harm …
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3. To settle and quiet our hearts and minds. He that looks no higher than the course of affairs in the world, can never have any firm peace in his own soul ; but trust easeth of all fears, cares, and estuations of mind : Ps. cxii. 7, ' He shall not be afraid of evil tidings ; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord ; …
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4. The submission and resignation of faith. Make sure of heaven, and for other things, let God order them as he pleaseth : Mat. vi. 33, 'Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.' 5. The prudence of faith. Settle your mind as to present necessities; and for futu…
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5. From Christ's being dead already, before the others crucified with him, we learn his willingness to die for us. His love made quick despatch. He could have retained his life longer, but he was willing to let it go, that everything might be finished that was necessary for our comfort and restoration. 6. We learn als…
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[2.] It yieldeth matter of thankfulness that Christ would expose his body to so many violences and indignities for man's sake. It is mangled Avitli whips, because one prophet speaketh of stripes. It is nailed to the cross, because it is said in another, ' They pierced my hands and my feet,' Ps. xxii. 16. Wounded with a…
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[2.] As a testator or maker of the new testament. We could never have had the great blessings of the covenant if Christ had not died : Heb. ix. 16, 'For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.' Till then the testament is not in force. Christ promised to make a new testament, the…
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Thirdly, I look upon it as a symbol and type of his mediatory office. Christ was in every part furnished: 1 John v. 6, 'This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ : not by water only, but by water and blood.' Now this water and blood are two of the wit- nesses: ver. 10, ' Hath this testimony within hims…
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But many that are first shall he last, and the last shall he first. — Mat. xix. 30. These words are a part of Christ's answer to Peter's question, ver. 27, ' Behold, we have forsaken all and followed thee : what shall we have therefore ? ' What had Peter to forsake ? a cottage, a net, a fisher-boat : a great all ! Bu…
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SERMON UPON MATTHEW XIX. 30. 43 4. la matters of religion it may bear a good sense, that God's latter dispensation is better than the former, and those that live under it ex- cel the other. [1.] Our condition under the covenant of grace is better than that in innocency under the covenant of works ; as a vessel that i…
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[2.] As to zeal in profession and practice. Certainly it is our duty to keep up our vigour to the last, for they that ' are planted in the house of the Lord should bring forth fruit in old age,' Ps. xcii. 14. The older they grow they should be the more fruitful. Enoch kept up his communion with God throughout his whole…
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46 SERMON UPON MATTHEW XIX. 30- David sent and inquired after the woman : and one said, Is not this^ Batbsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite ? ' Gen. xxxix. 7-9, ' And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, and she said, Lie with me. But he refused…
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Use 1. See that you do not make an ill use of it. 1. It is not to discourage men from beginning betimes, or remember- ing their Creator in the days of their youth. No ; we should believe with the first. Epenetus is called the first-fruits of Achaia, Eom. xvi. 5. Surely it is an honour to be first in the service of God…
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' And the last shall be first.' The last, such as are backward as to any affection to heavenly things, yea, afar off as to any profession or sense of religion ; these shall in time to come show themselves more forward than others who were in Christ before them ; prove glorious christians at the last: it may be so. Now…
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Doct That remission of sins which is promised in the new covenant to the sanctified is procured by the blood of Jesus Christ. I. The privilege or benefit is to be cleansed from sin. The phrase importeth both justification and sanctification. Where cleansing from sin is spoken of as a duty required of us, it always imp…
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52 SERLION UPON 1 JOHN I. 7. garments, we are unpleasiug objects in God's sight, therefore they are removed, that we may he accepted. 2. The guilt. There is a twofold guilt, reatus culpce and reafus pcence ; the guilt of sin and the guilt of punishment. The reatus culpce, or guilt of sin, is seen by applying the law …
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[1 ] The state of the person is altered : from a child of wrath he is put into a state of grace ; from a child of the devil, made a child of God: John i. 12, 'But to as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' [2.] There is an actual remission of all past sins till that day. [3.] There …
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SERMON UPON 1 JOHN I. 7. 55 aad the ashes of an heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God.' In the type of the red…
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(2.) The means of sprinkling on our part ; for until Ave believe, the blood of Christ produceth not its effect upon our souls : Rom. iii. 25, ' AVhom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood.' Faith believeth the great love of Christ in the shedding of his blood for the expiation of our sins, …
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(2.) The nature of the work. It was a glorious act of obedience. Do not think God is cruel, and standeth upon a little blood. No ; he standeth upon his honour. He hath made a law, and his law must have satisfaction ; the debt of obedience must be paid : Eom. v. 19, 58 SEEMON UPON 1 JOHN I. 7. * As by one man's disobe…
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[8.] The daily application. This fountain is always open. We sin daily, and every day we sue out our discharge in Christ's name. The best of God's children make but too much work for pardoning mercy. We contract new filth by walking up and down in a dirty, defiling world : John xiii. 10, ' He that is washed needeth not…
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[1.] The opinion of a judge deeming or counting one wicked ; as to justify is to count one righteous : Rom. viii. 33, 34, ' It is God that justifies; who is he that condemns? ' So to condemn is to count one wicked. This respects the inward mind, and what appeareth on evidence. So it is said, Prov. xvii. 15, ' He that j…
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(5.) In all such cases there is an over- valuing of our worldly comforts and conveniences, and we look more to the loss and want of these things than the use and benefit we should get by the afiiiction ; whereas a christian should more regard the fruit of adversity than the trouble of it: Heb. xii. 11, 'No chastening f…
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[1.] If this be known, we must get it removed ; for we must lift up pure hands, without wrath and doubting, 1 Tim. ii. 8 ; and a pet against providence is the worse kind of wrath, for then we are angry with God himself. Now passion })utteth strange fire into our censers. [2.] If we are blinded for the present, and the…
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2. This is grievous to them. Guilt affects the saints most. A rod dipped in guilt smarteth sorest upon their backs. VOL. XXII. E 66 SERMON UPON JOB X. 2, [1.] This for the present depriveth them of the sense of God's love to them, which is their all and their happiness. Nothing cheereth them so much as the beams of …
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[2.] We can the better judge of the greatness of that sin ; for we know causes by effects, and can the better see our folly by our smart : Jer. ii. 19, ' Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy back- slidings shall reprove thee. Know therefore, and see that it is an evil thing and a bitter, that thou hast fors…
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4. If the inquiry be humbly and dutifully made, it may be known wherefore he contendeth with you. [1.] Partly by the word of God : Heb. ii. 2, 'If the word spoken by SERMON UPON JOB X. 2. 69 angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward,' &c. [2.] Partly by chec…
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3. The event ; he ' saw the glory of God, and Jesus Christ standing at his right hand.' And in his publication of his vision, ' Behold, I see the heavens opened.' Now here three difficulties are to be considered — [1.] The opening of the heavens, how such a solid body should be divided, and yet close and come together…
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SERMON UPON ACTS VII. 55, 56. 73 ' The sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire in the eyes of the children of Israel ; ' meaning thereby some representation of his splendour and majesty ; only that was more for terror, this for comfort and support. (3c?.) For the third difficulty, about the seeing of C…
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2. The next object is Jesus Christ at his right hand. This is the second object in the text. Let us a little consider what this importeth. Properly speaking, God hath neither right hand nor left, for he is a spirit. It is a metaphor, therefore, which must be explained by the manner of earthly kings, who place those who…
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76 SERMON UPON ACTS VII, 53, 56. convince the iinbelievinnj world, and to conquer the opposing wisdom and power of the flesh, John xvi. 8 ■, as also to beget and continue life in his people, that they may be actually put in possession of what he hath purchased for them ; for he hath promised to accompany the dis- pens…
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(2.) Compare it with the light of reason. Keason can only guess at future contingencies, or at best see things in their causes or natural order, and that it is probable, if nothing letteth, such and such things will fall out ; but faith can look through all distance of time and place, and contrary appearances, with suc…
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1. Believe that there are invisible good things to be enjoyed in another world. Here is our first work, when we hear of these great promises : ' Believest thou this ? ' John xi. 26. The things are glorious and cer- tain, but our persuasions of the reality of them are too weak and feeble. That there is a world to come, …
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SERMON UPON 2 SAMDEL XXIV. 24. Neither will I offer bitrnt-qferings unto the Lord my God of that which costs me nothing. — 2 Sam. xxiv. 24. In the context you will find a laudable contention between a good king and a good subject. Since it was to David, and since it was for the Lord, Araunah would not sell, but give.…
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SERMON UPON 2 SAMUEL XXIV. 24. 83 Heb. xi. 17, ' By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac ; and he that received the promises offered up his only-begotten son.' Here is a son, an only son, a son on whom the promises were fixed, and this son to fall under the weight of his own father's hands : an act that …
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4. A cheap course of religion, such as costs little or nothing, will never be accepted with God ; for it is contrary to his prescription. Our first lesson in Christ's school is self-denial, to prepare us for our after-service and obedience to him : Mat. xvi. 24, ' If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, an…
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[2.] God doth not so openly own men, nor pour out such a large measure of the comforts of his Spirit upon his people, when they serve him without cost, as he doth when they are called to deny themselves, and all that is dear and precious to them in tlie world, for his sake. In the Revelation there are many promises div…
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4. See that you place not too much of religion in outward things, in external pomp and gaudiness, and then put this zealous gloss upon it, ' I will not serve God with what costs me nothing.' It is easy to exceed in externals, and such things as make a fair show in the world ; but the majesty and spirit of religion is l…
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2. The necessity of it. They mistahe religion that carry it on in such a way that it puts them to no cost. Wherever it is in vigour and power, it will put us to some expense. If it be otherwise, either men neglect many necessary duties, as self-examination, meditation, secret and earnest prayer, constant waiting upon G…
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14, 19. Oh, this is but carnal self-denial, yea, rather carnal self- seeking. Use 3. Of caution. Let us not rest satisfied with the cheaper part of religion. No ; you must be at some cost for God. They are self- seeking hypocrites that cull out the safe, the cheap, the easy part of their duty, and leave all the rest u…
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8. Power and dominion of the truth over hearts is a far greater evidence of our sincerity than curious speculations or highflown notions : 1 Cor. iv. 20, ' The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power ;' James ii. 17, ' Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.' Be warmed, be clothed ; or, I have faith, rel…
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[2.] Let magistrates mind this, and they will be possessed with another spirit than most magistrates are. He will not be a careless Gallio, nor a partial Jehu, nor a lukewarm Laodicean. He will do justice, and be useful in his place ; not only when his ease permitteth him, or his credit inviteth him, or may do it witho…
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2. For the entertainment of honourable guests invited to a feast: Mat. xxvi. 7, 'A woman having an alabaster box of very precious oint^ ment, poured it on his head as he sat at meat ; ' Ps. xxiii. 5, ' Thou preparest a table for me in the sight of mine enemies ; thou anointest mine head with oil, my cup runneth over.' …
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(Is^.) For the perception or discerning of truth from falsehood ; for there are such impressions of the holiness, righteousness, and goodness of God left upon their hearts, that nothing can be offered unto them but whereof they may be competent judges by means of those disposi- tions stamped upon their hearts by the Ho…
1,065 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.