PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 4
Thomas Manton · 310,631 words · 303 reading sections
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W' i%'^ ■m. M:. 1 H^ i i-^ ^ PRINCETON, N. J. Shelf BX 8915 .M3 187U V.4 Manton, Thomas, 1620-1677. The complete works of Thomas Manton WORKS OF THOMAS MANTON, D.D. VOL. IV. COUNCIL OF PUrMCATION. W. LIXDSAY ALEXANDEll, D.D., Professor of Tlieology, Congregational Union, Edinburgh. JAMES BEGG, D.D., Minist…
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Sir, you will find in this ei)istle that men of your rank and qua- lity are liable to great corruptions; 2 they soon grow proud, sensual, ^ Stokc-Xewington. * See the notes on James i. 9, 11, and ii. 1-7, and v, 1-5. THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 5 oppressive, worldly, stubborn against the word : * I went to the great me…
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IIPOAEIO'MENA, OR, PREFACE WHEREIN, BESIDES AN EXPLICATION OF THE TITLE, SEVERAL NECESSARY PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS ARE HxiNDLED AND DISCUSSED. I INTEND, by the assistance of God's Holy Spirit, in the weekly returns of this lecture, to handle the Epistle of James. It is full of useful and practical matter. I have the r…
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1 Euseb., lib. ii. Hist. Eccles., c. 23. 2 So Dr Hamner rendereth that clause, IffTeou fihv tij voBQveroL 3 Hieron. in CataL Eccles. Script. 10 A PREFACE TO THE WHOLE EPISTLE. epistolam, quce et ipsa ah alio quodam suh ejus nomine edita esse asset-itur, licet paidlatim tempore procedente ohtinuerit auctoritaiem ; t…
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The reasons which moved Luther to reject this epistle shall be answered in their proper places. By his own testimony, cited before, it containeth nothing repugnant to other scriptures, and it savoureth of the genius of the gospel, as well as other writings of the apostles ; and though he seemeth to make little mention …
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* Jiubebiua Neirembergius de Urigine Sacrse Scripturse, lib. xi. cap. 15-19. A PREFACE TO THE WHOLE EPISTLE. 13 purpose, together with reasons to prove this to be the first New Testa- ment scripture that was written, and all to devolve the honour of the epistle upon the Spanish saint, Jacobus major; which yet is cont…
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YI. Sixthly, Concerning the title catholic or general epistle, which is the title given all the seven latter epistles ; I answer, in some copies it is KavoviKT), canonical ; but probably that is an error. Why then catholic ? Many reasons are given. (Ecumenius, and out of him Beza, thinketh it is because they were not i…
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Which are scattered abroad ; in the original, rat? ev rfj SiacrTropa, to those which are in or of the dispersion. But what scattering or dispersion is here intended ? I answer, (1.) Either that which was occasioned by their ancient captivities, and the frequent changes of nations, for so there were some Jews that still…
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VOL. IV. B 18 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. I. 1. Ix)rd. We can prescribe notliing as necessary to be believed or done whicli is not according to his will or word. In short, we come not in our own name, and must not act with respect to our own ends; we are servants. Obs. 4. A servant of God, and of Jesus Christ. …
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Ohs. 7. To the ticelve tribes luhicJi are scattered abroad. — ^There was something more in their scattering than ordinary : they were a people whom God for a long time had kept together under the wings of providence. That which is notable in their scattering is : — 1. The severity of God's justice; the twelve tribes a…
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JaS. I. 2.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 21 Ver. 2. My hrethren, count it all joy luhen you fall into dicers temp- tations. My hrethren. — A usual compellation in the scriptures, and very frequent in this epistle, partlj^ because of the manner of tlie Jews, who were wont to call all of their nation brethren, and partly…
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2. judge by a supernatural light. Christ's eye-salve must clear your sight, or else you cannot make a right judgment : there is no proper and fit apprehension of things till you get within the veil, and see by the light of a sanctuary lamp : 1 Cor. ii. 11, ' The things of God knoweth no man, but by the tSpirit of God.'…
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24 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. I. L'. Ccelcstisira quos praiiit miseros /unit, humana nullos. No adversary but God can make us misenible ; and it is his wratli tliat putteth a vinegar and gall into our .vulFerings, not man's. 2. Their joy is from the happy effects, or consequents, or comforts, occasioned by thei…
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Solid. 1 answer — It is true there is a difference between afflictions from the hand of God, and persecutions from the violence of men. God's hand is just, and guilt will make the soul less cheerful ; but remember the apostle's word is divers trials ; and sickness, death of friends, and such things as come from an imme…
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JaS. I. 3.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 27 ness of teeth, pestilence, and war; all these judgments one after another. So Christ threatens Jerusalem with ' wars and rumours of wars ; ' and addeth : ' There shall be famine, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places,' Mat. xxiv. 7. Oh ! then, ' Stand in awe, and s…
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Tlie notes are these: — Obs. 1. From that knowing^ ignoiance is the cause of sorrow. When we do not lightly discern of evils, we grieve for them. Our strcriglh, as men,lietli in reason ; as Christians, in sjjiritual discourse. Paul was instructed, Phil. iv. 11, and that made him walk with such an equal mind in unequal…
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' 'Probatio innocentia; nostrac estiniquitas vccitra.' — Ttrlul. in Apol. ' Justin Mart, in Apol. 2, circa finem. 3 Soe HiBt.of the founcU of Trent, p. 418,2(1 edit. JaS. I. 3.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 31 with a respect to the day of jud<^ment : 1 Peter i. 7, ' That tlie trial of your faith may bo found to prais…
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Use 2. You that are under trials, look to your faith. Christ knew what was most likely to be assailed, and therefore telleth Peter, Luke xxii. 32, ' I have i)rayed for thee, tliat thy faith fail not.' When faith faileth, we faint ; therefore we should make it our chief work to maintain faith. Chiefly look after two thi…
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^ ' Ferendo discimus perferre ; solidissima para est corporis, quam frequens usus agita- vit.' — Seneca. VOL. IV. C 34 AN EXruSlTION, WITH KOTES, [Jas. I. 4. on the left, by patience ag;ainst tlie hardships of the workl. You see we cannot be Christians without it ; so, also, not men. Christ saith, ' In patience poss…
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^ ' Gubernatoris artem tranquillum mare et obsequens ventus non ostendit; adversi aliquid incurrat oportet, quod animum probet.' — Sen. ad Marc. c. 5. ^ ' Non incepisse sed perf ecisse virtutis est.' — A ng. ad Frat. in Eremo. Ser. 8. ^ ' Turpe est cedere oneri, et luctari cum officio quod seniel recepisti ; non est …
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Ver. 5. If any of you lack ivisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not ; and it shall be given Mm. The apostle, having spoken of bearing afflictions with a mind above them, conieth here to prevent an objection, which might be framed thus : This is a hard saying, to keep up the spi…
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And iiphraideth no man. — Here he reprovetli another usual blemish of man's bounty, which is to upbraid others with what they have done for them, and that eateth out all the worth of a kindness : the laws of courtesy requiring that the receiver should remember, and the giver forget : i but God upbraideth not. But you w…
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Ohs. 4. From that of God, in all our wants we must immedi- ately repair to God. The scriptures do not direct us to the shrines of saints, but to tlie throne of grace. You need not use the saint.s' inter- cession ; Christ hath opened a way for you into the presence of the Father. Obs. 5. More particularly observe, wisd…
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06.?. 9. To all men. The proposals of God's grace are very general and universal. It is a great encouragement that in the offer none are excluded. Why should we, then, exclude ourselves? Matt. xi. 28, ' Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden.' Mark, poor soul, Jesus Christ maketli no exceptions. He did not…
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1 '''YiixTToplav fiaXKov 77 xap'i' iroiovcriv.' — Isocrates. - ' Non est sportula qua3 iiegotiatur.' — Martial. 2 Timeo Danaos, et dona ferentes. 44 AN EXPOSITION. WITH NOTES, [JaS. I. 5. was the reason why the apostles (when Christ talked of forgiving our brother seven times in one day), cried out, Luke xvii. 5, ' …
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■^ Grotius in Annot. in Mat. xviii. 19. ^ ' Sancti ad salutem per omnia exaudiuntur, sed non ad voluntatem, ad voluntatem etiam Dajmones exauditi sunt, etad porcos quos petiverant iremissi sunt.' — Aug. in Epist. Johan. tract, t). So also (Serm. 53, de Verbis Domini), ' Quid prosit medicus novit, non segrotus.' 4G AN…
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The notes are these : — Obs. 1. That the trial of a true prayer is the faith of it. Cursory requests are made out of fashion, not in faith ; men pray, but do not consider the bounty of him to whom they pray : prayer is a means, not a task ; therefore, in prayer there should be distinct reflections upon the success of …
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But, for further satisfaction, take these rules: — [1.] That where we have a certain promise, we must no way doubt of his will ; for the doubt nmst either proceed from a suspicion that this is not the word or will of God, and that is atheism ; or from a jealousy that God will not make good his word, and tliat is blasph…
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[4.] Some, that have more near communion with God, may have a particular faith of some particular occurrences. By some special instincts in prayer from the Spirit of God they have gone away and said with David, Ps. xxvii. 3, ' In this I will be confident.' I do not say it is usual, but sometimes it may be so ; we canno…
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62 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [Jas. I. 7. be a greater misery than for mnn to be a burden and a terror to him- self ; and there is no torment Hke tliat of our own thoughts. Well, then, go to God, and get your s})irit settled : he that cherisheth his own doubts doth but hug a distemper instead of a duty. Ver. 7. For l…
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^ ' T6 ardSiov HepiKX^s eir ^Spafxev, elr iKciOrjTO, Oi)5eis oTSevoXus' 5aifi6vios ^padvr-qs.' — Grac. Epigram. ^ ' Gaudium de veritate omues volunt, multos expertus sum qui velint fallere, qui autem falli neniiuem.' — Auff. lib. x. Confes. cap. 13. 54 AN EXPOSITIOX, WITH NOTES, [Jas. I. 7. Ohs. 3. From that, iJiat …
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A douhle-minded man, ZL-^v)(o<i dvrjp. — The word signifieth one that hath two souls ; and so it may imply — (1.) A hypocrite, as the same word is used to that purpose, James iv. 8 : ' Purify your hearts, ye double-minded,' Sn/ru^j^oi. As he speaketh to open sinners to cleanse their hands, so to close hypocrites (whom …
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JaS. I. 8.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 57 .salth to such men, 1 Kinf^s xviii. 21, * ITow long will ye halt between two opinions ? ' They are usually guilty of a promiscuous compliance, which, though used by them in carnal policy, yet often tendeth to their hurt ; for this indifFerency is hateful to God and men. God lo…
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Ver. 9. Let the brother of loio degree rejoice in that he is exalted. The apostle having finished that necessary digression about prayer, returneth to the main matter in hand, which is bearing of afilictions with joy; and urgeth another reason in this verse, because, to be de- pressed in the world for righteousness' s…
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In that he is exaKed, iv tw vxfrei avrov, in his sublimity. This may be understood two ways: — (1.) More generally, in that he is a brother or a member of Christ, as the worth and honour of the spirit- ual estate is often put to counterpoise the misery and obscurity of afflictions ; thus Rev. ii. 9, ' I know thy povert…
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Obs. 3. Again, from that the brother of a low degree. Not Q.man of low degree, but a brother. It is not poverty, but poor Christianity that occasioneth joy and comfort. Many please themselves because they suffer afflictions in this world ; and therefore think they should be free in the world to come, as many ungodly po…
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JaS. I. 9.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 63 and blame your condition when you should blame yourselves : it is not your misery, but your passions, that occasion sin ; wormwood is not poison. But alas ! the old Adam is found in us : ' The woman, which thou gavest me, gave me, and I did eat.' We blame provi- dence when we …
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Ohs. 8. From that he is exalted. That grace is a preferment and exaltation ; even those of low degree may be thus exalted. All the comforts of Christianity are such as are riddles and contradictions to the flesh : poverty is preferment ; servants are freemen, the Lord's freemen, 1 Cor. vii. 22. The privileges of Christ…
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He taketh occasion from the former exhortation, which pressed to rejoice in miseries, to speak of the opposite case, prosperity. Some suppose the words to be an irony,^ wherein the apostle discovereth his low conceit of worldly glory : all their exaltation is humiliation ; and therefore, if he will glory, let him glory…
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The notes are these : — Obs. 1. Kiches are not altogether inconsistent with Christianity. * Let the rich,' that is, the rich brother. Usually they are a great snare. It is a hard matter to enjoy the world without being en- tangled with the cares and pleasures of it. The moon never sufiereth eclipse but when it is at t…
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Obs. 3. That the way to be humble is to count the world's advan- tages our abasement. The poor man must glory in that he is exalted, but the rich in that he is made low. Honours and riches do but set ^ ' Servatur pauper Lazarus, sed iu sinu Abrabauii rlivitis.' — August, in Ps. li. * 'Dantur bonia ne putentur mala, ma…
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1. That though the things of the world are specious, yet they should not allure us, because they are fading. Flowers are sweet, and affect the eye, but their beauty is soon scorched : the soul is for an eternal good, that it may have a happiness suitable to its own dura- tion. An immortal soul cannot have full contentm…
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72 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. I. 11. lieat ariseth. In the text it is (let me open that by the way) ?;\to9 am Tc3 Kavawvi, the sun with a burning wind, so in the original ; for Kavaoiv^ the word used here, is usually put here for a scorching wind, which, in the hot and eastern countries, was wont to accompany th…
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Ohs. 4. Lastly, again, from that iv Tai<i iropeiaL'i, from his ways or journeys. All our endeavours will be fruitless if God's hand be against us. As the flower to the burning heat, so is the rich man in 74 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. I. 12. his waj's ; that is, notwithstanding all his industry and care, God may…
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For ivhen he is tried, BoKL/JLo<i <yev6/jLevo^. — The word is often trans- lated approved: Rom. xiv. 18, ' Approved of man ; ' it is SoKifio'i. So 1 Cor. xi. 19, ' That hoKLfioL, they which are approved may be made manifest ; ' so here, when he is made or found approved, that is, right and sound in the faith ; it is a …
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To them that love him. — A usual description of the people of God. But why them that love him, rather than them that serve or obey him, or some other description? I answer — (1.) Because love is the sum of the whole law, and the hinge upon which all the command- ments turn : this is the one word into which the Decalogu…
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Obs. 2. Of all afflictions those are sweetest which we endure for Christ's sake. The apostle saith, ' Blessed are they that endure temp- tation ; ' that is, persecution for religion's sake. The immediate strokes of providence are more properly corrections ; the violences of men against us are more properly trials ; the…
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06s. 4. That it is good to oppose the glory of our hopes against the abasure of our sufferings. Here are trials, but we look for a crown of glory. This is the way to counterpoise the temptation, and in the ^ 'Deus nihil coronat nisi dona sua.' — Aur/., lib. v. hom. 14. ^ 'Miserum te judico quod nunquam fuisti miser; …
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Obs. 5. Lastly, That no enduring is acceptable to God but such as doth arise from love. The crown which God hath promised, he doth not say, ' to them that suffer,' but ' to them that love him.' A man may suffer for Christ, that is, in his cause, without any love to him, but it is nothing worth : 1 Cor. xiii. 3, ' If I …
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Neither temjjteth he any man ; that is, doth not love to seduce others, willing that men should be conformed to the holiness of his own nature. He tempteth not, either by inward solicitation or by such an inward or outward dispensation as may enforce us to sin. The notes are these : — Obs. 1. From that let no man say…
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1. When we blame his providence, the state of things, the times, the persons about us, the circumstances of providence, as the laying of tempting objects in our way, our condition, &c., as if God's disposing of our interests were a calling us to sin : thus Adam, Gen. iii. 12, ' The woman which thou gavest me, she gave …
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5. Most grossly, when you think he useth any suggestion to the soul, to persuade it and incline it to evil. Satan may come, and, by the help of fancy and the senses, transmit evil counsel to the soul. But God doth not, as more fully hereafter : Mat. v. 37, ' Whatsoever is beyond these cometh of evil ; ' in the original…
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Obs. 4. From that neither iemijteih he any man, that the Lord is no tempter ; the author of all good cannot be the author of sin. God useth many a moving persuasion to draw us to holiness, not a hint to encourage us to sin ; certainly they are far from the nature of God that entice others to wickedness, for he tempteth…
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I. For the clearing of the places of scripture. They are of divers ranks ; there are some places tiiat seem to say that Grod doth tempt, as Gen. xxii. 1, ' God tempted Abraham ; ' so in many other phices ; but that was but a trial of his fliith, not a solicitation to sin. There is a temptinp^ by way of trial, and a tem…
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IL I am to state the efficiency and concurrence of God about sin. All that God doth in it may be given you in these propositions : — 1, It is certain that without God sin would never be ; without his prohibition an action would not be sinful. The apostle saith, ' Where is no law, there is no transgression ; ' but I me…
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^ ' Homo Deum uon nisi ex sensu suo metitur, nee de auctoritate ejus cogitat, quin earn circiimcidat, nee de libertate quin ei fibulam impositam velit ; Pelagiani omnes nascimur, immo cum supercilio pharisaico. Hie character vix delebilis est : Homo sibi obnoxium Deum existimat, non se Deo,' &c. — Spanhem. de Gratia Un…
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Ver. 14. But every man is tempted token he is drawn aiuay of his oivn Just, and enticed. Here he cometh to show the true and proper cause of sin. having removed the false pretended cause, namely, God's providence and de- cree. The true procreating cause of sin is in every man's soul ; it is his lust ; he carrieth that…
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' Ariat. Ethic, lib. vii. cap. G. JaS. I. 14.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 95 [2] The wills of the mind are the first risings of the corruption that is in the uj^per soul, as fleshly reasonings, thoughts, and desires, covetousness, ambition, pride, envy, malice, &c. These are rooted in the corrupt risings or stirrings…
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Obs. 2. That, above all things, a man should look to his desires. All sin is called eVt^u/i/a, lust or desire. God calleth for the heart : ' My son, give me thy heart,' which is the seat of desires. The children of God, when they plead their innocency, urge their desires, they fail in duty ; but their ' desires are to …
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2. Why the children of God cannot do as they would — withstand a temptation so resolutely, perform duties so acceptably. Lusts may be strong upon them also. It is observable that James saith, ' Every man VOL. IV. G 98 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. I. 14. is tempted,' taking in the godly too. A wicked man doth not…
944 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.