PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 3
Thomas Manton · 314,970 words · 315 reading sections
Section 61
(4.) When there is gross negligence, or not taking pains to know better, it is equivalent to reluctation or standing out against light ; crassa negligentia dolus est — there is a deceit in laziness or affected ignorance : John iii. 20, ' They will not come to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved ;' 2 Peter ii…
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2 TheS. II. 12.] THE TENTH SERMON. 99 of the means of salvation, contrar}' to the express injunctions from God: John v. 39, ' Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal Hie, and they are they which testify of me ;' Col. iii. 16, ' Let tiie word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching an…
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2. That they are more culpable than the heathens. (1.) As to their hypocrisy, by distinctions and veil of piety wherewith they disguise all this ; for this delight in unrighteousness was called before, ' the deceivableness of unrighteousness.' They profess to abhor idols, and yet worship images, and make that a point o…
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102 THE ELEVENTH SERMON. [2 ThES. II. 13. things ; raallco on the other, who rashly condemn men without evi- dence, yea, against it. (3.) If this argument woukl hold good, it had been better, in Christ and the apostles' time, to be a Jewish jiroselyte than a Christian. Christ acknowledgeth ' salvation is of the Jews,'…
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In the words are two things : — 1. An acknowledgment of this obligation to give thanks for them: hut we are hound to <jiue thanks always to God for you, brethren, &c. 104 THE ELEVENTH SERMON. [2 ThES. IL 13. 2. The matter or particular cause of his tlianksE^ivinj^ : because the Lord hath from the beginning chosen yo…
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[4.] By the means of its accomplishment. Two are mentioned, one on God's part, the other on ours — ' the sanctification of the Spirit, and the belief of the truth.' Where note : — (1.) That God's decree is both of ends and means, for all his pur- poses are executed by fitmeans. He that hath chosen us to salvation hath…
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2 ThES. II. 13.] THE ELEVENTH SERMON. 107 nant with God, and visibly dedicated. But there is another sanctifi- cation, which is the fruit of the Spirit, working a real change in them : 1 Cor. vi. 11, 'And such were some of you ; but ye are washed, but ye are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit …
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2. Why this is the great matter of our thanksgiving to God. That I shall evidence in the following considerations : — [1.] That thanksgiving to God is a great and necessary duty, ex- pressly enjoined by him, and expected from us : 1 Thes. v. 18, * In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you i…
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^ Either a proverbial expression, perhaps referring to Jer. ii. 24 ; or else a misprint. — Ed. no THE ELEVENTH SERMON. [2 TlIES. 11. 13, between us and others. Surely liis peculiar love to ourselves doth most atiect us. (3.) There we see that grace that doth take off all self-boasting : Eph. ii. 8, 9, ' For by grace…
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Second use is exhortation. It presseth you to two things : — 1. Put in for a share and interest in this mercy ; that is to say, in the a])ostle's words, 2 Peter i. 10, ' Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.' God hath not told us who are elected and who are not ; therefore our way is to accept of the …
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^ Qu. ' called by the gospel to faith and holiness ' ? — Ed. 2 ThES. II. 14.] THE TWELFTH SERMON. 113 govern ns. Our parents are but instruments of liis providence ; they know not how the cliilJ is framed in the womb, &c. Now he calleth upon ns to do our duty with original supreme authority. We may refuse otliers ; i…
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(2.) To convince and stop their mouths that refuse this calling, for the gospel bringeth grace home to us, and leaveth it upon our choice. If we will accept it, well and good ; if not, we justly deserve to be rejected for ever : Acts xiii. 2G, ' To you is this word of salvation sent' What say you to it ? God hath sent …
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3. The ends of this calling. They are either subordinate or ultimate. First, Subordinate: in the word ' Whereunto he hath called you ;' that is, to faith, holiness, and salvation ; we are called to all. [1.] God calleth us to the faith of the gospel ; he hath not only or- dained us to believe, but called us to believ…
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(2.) The very nature of this calling enforceth this sanctification, or netting man apart from a common to a sacred use ; for it is a calling us not only from misery to happiness, but from sin to holiness, and the one is indispensably necessary to the other ; for none but those who are in a holy estate can be in a bless…
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[2.] Why is it called ' the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ ?' (1.) It is purchased by Christ. We were redeemed or bought by the price of his blood, that we might attain to this glory : Eph. i. 7, ' In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.' (2.) …
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2. Let us mind not only privileges, but duties. We have great privileges ; we are called to enjoy sweet fellowship with Christ here : 1 Cor. i. 9, ' Faithful is he who hath called you to tlie communion of Christ Jesus our Lord,' and to a glorious estate hereafter. But we are also called to the sanctification of the S[)…
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Use 2. To the called. (1.) Bless God for this calling. The woful estate out of which we are called, and the blessed estate into which we are entered, compared together, should make us wonder : 1 Peter ii. 9, ' Ye should show forth the ])raises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.' (2.) …
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First, Keason will tell us that when we intend an end, we must use the means ; otherwise the bare intention and desire would suffice, and to the accomplishing of any etfect. we need no more than to will it ; 124 THE THIRTEENTH SERMON. [2 ThES. 11. 15. wishinj];8 and would in<;s, thougli his hands refuse to labour. Bu…
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2. A treacherous revolt, or yielding to the enemy, by complying with those things which are against the interest of Christ and his kingdom fen- advantage-sake : 2 Tim. iv. 10, ' Demas hath forsaken us, and loved the present world.' Backsliders in heart are the worst sort of apostates. Such as lose their affection to Go…
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Secondly, My next argument is — Because Christian religion must needs be a tradition, partly because matter of fact is the foundation of it, and it is in itself matter of faith. (1.) Because it is built upon matter of fact : that the Son of God came from God, to bring us to God ; that is to say, appeared in human natur…
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2 TlIES. II. 15.] THE THIRTEENTH SERMON. 129 snarled that so is God's will concerning us. Now to know liis will concerning us, we are often bidden to search the scripture ; but never bidden to consult with the church, to know what unwritten traditions she hath in her keeping to instruct us in our duty. (3.) No certain…
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If the scriptures do thoroughly direct men to know God in Christ, and save their own souls, why should we look any further ? Now, they do not only furnish every private Christian with this knowledge, but ' the man of God,' who is to instruct others, he needeth look no further, but is furnished out of the scripture with…
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3. Being left to the ordinary rule, it was necessary it should be taught, not only by word of mouth, but committed to writing ; for Christ is ascended into heaven, and the apostles do not live for ever ; and we have no men now that are immediately and divinely inspired ; and ordinary pastors and teachers cannot make mo…
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6. Though we blame this in papists, yet we reject not all tra- ditions : — 134 THE THIRTEENTH SERMON. [2 TlIES. II. 1.5. [1.] Becfiupo scripture itself is n tradition, as we ])roved before, and is conveyed to ns by tlie most credible means, which we have no rea.sou to doubt of. The scriptures of the Old Testament wer…
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II. The grounds of audience and success are intimated, which are two : — (1.) God's love : ivliich hath loved us. (2.) The pledges of his love ; which are also two : — First, Without us ; Secondly, Within us. 1. He hath given us everlasting consolcUion. 2. Good hope through, grace. III. The blessings proyed for. 1.…
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Use of direction. When you come to wait on the word, or receive here any quickening exhortation, call God into the business, that the thing may not die away in your hearts. Make conscience of praying as well as hearing. You hear from man in God's name, but carry it again to God, that he may bless it. All religion is ca…
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111. Observation. That Jesus Christ is invoked together with the Father as an author of grace, and thereby his Godhead is i)roved ; for he that is an object both of internal and external worship is God. Now such is Christ. Of internal worship : ' fJohn xiv. 1, ' Ye believe in God, believe also in me.' Though Christ die…
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[2.] The difference and controversy is taken up by the work of his redemption ; for ' God hath set him forth to be a propitiation,' or a means of appeasing his wrath, Eom. iii. 25, and to be the foundation of that new covenant wherein pardon and life is offered to us. It is not enough to our recovery that God be reconc…
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(2.) It is acquired by his own purchase: Rom, xiv. 9, 'Fortius end Christ both died and rose again, and revived, that he might be Lord both of dead and living;' 1 Cor, vi, 19, 20, ' Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price ; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's,' He had a fu…
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Secondly, God is represented under the title of a father : * And God, even our Father.' God is a word of power ; Father expresseth his good- will and love. God standeth in both relations to us, as he did also to Christ : John xx. 17, ' I go to my God and your God, my Father and your Father.' Both joined together signif…
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VI. Observation. They to whom Christ is a lord, to them God is a father. His special fntherly love tlosvetli in the channel of redenii)tion, and is brought al)out by tlie gos[)el. The Lord, from all eternity, pre- determinated some to the adof)tion of sons : Ei)h. i. 5, ' Having j)redestinated us to the adoption of chi…
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3. Speak as the covenant speaketh that you are under, till your sincerity be more unquestionable. God offers himself to be our God, and Piedeemer, and Father ; Christ to be our Lord and Saviour : Isa. Ixiii. 16, ' Doubtless thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not : thou, 0 L…
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1-lS THE FIFTEENTH SERMON. [2 ThES. II. 16. world. This is that which is propounded to us to recover and recon- cile our alienated and estrannjed affections to God : 2 Cor. v. 19, 20, * God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses unto him.' This grace God offercth to us, as well a…
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Use 1. Is caution. Let us not have wrong thoughts of God wlien we come to him. We think of God the Father as one that is all wrath and justice, and unwilling to be reconciled to man, or brought to it with much difficulty. No ; Christ came on purpose to show the love and loveliness of God to us ; for our redemption came…
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2 ThES. II. IG] THE FIFTEENTH SERMON. 151 gave he liberty to become the children of God, even to as many as believe in his name.' (2.) Love to God : John xiv. 21, 'He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me ; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and manife…
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[3.] There is an eternal and unchangeable covenant : Heb. xiii. 20, ' Through the blood of the everlasting covenant.' Though the cove- nant made with Israel was abolished, yet this is everlasting, and con- tinueth for ever, and shall never be altered ; because it w^as able to reach the end for which it was appointed, w…
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154 THE FIFTEENTH SERMON. [2 TheS. II. IG and turned into dust: Phil. iii. 21, '"Who sli.all change our vile bodies, that they may be like unto his own glorious body; according to the work- ing whereby he is able even to subdue all tilings unto himself".' Matters of faith bt'ing wholly or mainly future or to come, and…
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Use, of exhortation : — 1. Look upon the new covenant as it is in itself, as containing the only solid grounds of rejoicing ; the blessings of it are real, certain, stable, and suitable to the great necessities of mankind. The blessings are pardon and life ; they are real, no fancies or chimeras. The gospel is not a d…
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(2.) The resurrection of the dead : Acts ii. 26, ' My flesh shall rest in hope ; ' Acts xxiv. 1.5, * I have hope towards God that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust ; ' Acts xxvi. 6-8, ' Now I stand judged for the hope of the promise made unto the fathers, unto which promise our twelve tribes, in…
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[3.] By the act or grace of hope itself This may be called good either in itself or with respect to the degree. (1.) In itself : ' It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord,' Lam. iii. 2G. Bonum is either lionestum, jncundum, or utile : it is good in all regards. It is our d…
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(1.) By way of illumination, to oi)en the eyes of our minds, that we ' may see what is the hope of his calling,' Eph. i. 18. Alas ! otherwise our sight cannot pierce so far, nor discern any reality in a happiness that lieth in an unseen and an unknown world, so as to venture and forsake all that we see and love for a G…
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162 THE SIXTEENTH SERMON. [2 ThES. II 16. that he would make him as a brazen wall, and had raised a faith and hope in him that he would bear him out in his work ; and so it signifies no more but 'I cannot be deceived.' When you have God's word, and a well-grounded hope, it is not a foolish imagination or vain expecta-…
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4. It giveth us encouragement in prayer ; because they that have this hope are so much exposed to the scorn of the world, because they trust in an invisible God, and look for all their recompense in a world to come. They think Christians are a company of credulous fools, that please themselves with dreams and fancies :…
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(3.) At the very close of all it is grace : ' Hope unto the end, for the grace that is brought unto you at the revelation of Christ,' 1 Peter i. 13. Then there Avill be the fullest and largest manifestation of God's love and free grace. There is grace brought to us now, by the revelation of Jesus Christ in the gospel ;…
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SERMON XVII. Comfort your hearts, and slahlish you in every good tvord and work. —2 TiiEri. II. 17. We come now, thirdly, to the prayer itself. He asketh two bene- fits :— 1. Comfort. 2. Establishment. First, Comfort : ' Comfort your hearts.' But why doth the apostle pray for that which they had already ? He had t…
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(2.) That there is a special allowance of comfort for God's children in their afflictions. The Lord is more tender of his people then, when they want comfort, than at another time ; they have a more plentiful measure of the supporting operations of his Spirit then : as 1 Peter iv. 14, ' If ye be reproached for the name…
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1.] When it is allowed by hira. 2.^ When the matter is provided by him. 3/ When it is wrought by him. l.j When it is allowed by him, and warranted by him. Every mnn afi'ects comfort and oblectation of mind ; for otherwise they could never be pleased in that condition they are in, nor satisfy themselves. It would muc…
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1. Because God challengeth this as his own right to comfort the heart of man ; and therefore, whatever the means of the comfort be, God will be owned as the spring and fountain of it. He keepeth this as his great bridle upon the world, to govern the hearts of men : Job xxxiv. 29, ' When he giveth quietness, who then ca…
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3. That God's comforts are full and strong. For he worketh like himself, and therefore can and will su])port his people in the greatest difficulties. It is sometimes represented as full : Acts xiii. 52, * The disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost ;' and, * I am filled with comfort, and am exceeding jo…
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Use 3. Seek it in the use of means and ordinances which God hath appointed for the raising of comfort in us, as the word, prayer, and the Lord's Supper. In solemn duties God reneweth the pledges of his love to us, exciteth grace, and by grace comfort. It must needs be so, because then the grounds of comfort are anew la…
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176 THE EIGHTEENTH SERMON. [2 ThES. II. 17. 'Well, but the flesh is not only enticing, but troublesome and grievous to the saints ; witness Paul's groans : Rom. vii. 24, ' 0 wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from the body of this death ?' We are quite wearied and tired out with the importunity of its motio…
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[2.] Actual establishment, when these habits are fortified and quickened by the actual influence of God. As God doth establish by these habitual principles, so by the actual motions of his Spirit ; for otherwise neither the stability of our resolutions nor of gracious habits will support us. Not stability of resolution…
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First, Because of the contrariety of the principles that are within us : Gal. v. 17, ' For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh ; and these are contrary one to the other, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.' The garrison is not free from danger that hath an enemy lodged with…
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[2.] The will, which is the imperial power of the soul. Now, the will's establishment is known by its firm and thorough resolution for God and against sin. For God : as Acts xi. 23, Barnabas, ' when he had seen the grace of God, was very glad, and exhorted them all that, with full purpose of heart, they would cleave to…
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5. AVith respect to the degree, it is such a strengthening of the soul as doth prevent not only our fall, but our shaking. Before falling away, or our being drawn to apostasy, there may be a shaking, a douijtfulness, and wavering of mind with respect to the truth, and much inconstancy and unevenness of life with respec…
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184 THE EIGHTEENTH SERMON. [2 ThES. II. 17. There is not only slowness and backwnnlncss of heart to the duties of the gospel, but somewhat of the old enmity and averseness remaineth still. Our hearts are not only inconstant and unsettled, but very way- ward : Jer. x'lv. 10, ' Thus saith the Lord to this people, Thus h…
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3. He hath made promises of sustentation and preservation : Ps. Ixxiii. 23, ' Nevertheless I am continually with thee; thou hastholden me by my right hand.' Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for God upholdeth him with his hand. If God hath promised to preserve that grace which he hath once given, shoul…
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It will be only further necessary to acquaint the reader that, as these sermons were preached in his stated and ordinary course, so they were preached in his early youth, and are younger than any of those that have seen the light ; which must be his apology to the world if any expressions are found up and down less acc…
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But let us come to the parts of it. Who ? Though the inquiry be general, it is not to intimate that none, but only that very few did believe, or think there was any truth in what was spoken. Then for the object, our report, undeistand it concerning Christ ; or, as the LXX. express it, rfj aKofj r^fxcov, ' our hearing,'…
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5. Observe, that those that profess the name of God may be much prejudiced against the entertainment of those truths and counsels that he makes known to them for their good. 6. That it is a wonder they should not believe so plain a discovery of Christ, though by the just judgment of God they did not. 7. That the firs…
965 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.