PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 4
Thomas Manton · 310,631 words · 303 reading sections
Section 181
Ver. 7, 8. For everij kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and things in the sea, is tamed, and liatli been tamed of man- kind : but the tongue can no man tame : it is an unruly evil, and fidl of deadly poison. Having showed the cursed influence of the tongue, he showeth how difficult the cure is. Wild beast…
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Ohs. 2. The greatness of man's folly and impotency in governing his own soul. Though he tameth other things, he doth not tame him.self. We seek to recover our loss of dominion over the creatures, but who seeketh to recover that power which he once had over his own soul ? How can we look to have our dominion entire over…
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^ ' Sanctius his animal mentisque cajjacius altgc, Deerat adhuc, et quod dominari in cetera po.ssit, NatuB homo eat." — Ovid. Met., lib. i. - ' Quia per peccatum deseruit luniio cum bub quo esse debuit, eubditus est iia supra quae ease debebat.' — Auff. Tract, in Johan. » See Dr Alting, Problem. ThtoL, pars 1, quaest. …
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Obs. 3. From that full of deadly poison. A wicked tongue is venomous and hurtful : as Bernard observeth, it killeth three at once — him that is slandered, his fame by ill report; him to whom it is told, his belief with a lie ; and himself with the sin of detraction. Bless God when you escape those deadly bites, the fan…
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Obs. 4. Man is made after God's own image: ' Let us make man after our image and likeness,' Gen. i. 26. In other creatures there are vestigia ; we may track God by his works, but man is his very imao-e and likeness. I shall not be large in this argument. This ima^-e of God consisteth in three things — (1.) In his natur…
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Well, then, in your carriage towards men let this check injury and indecency of speech : he is God's image. Though images are not to be worshipped, yet the image of God is not to be bespattered with reproaches ; especially if they have a new creation, and a new forming : these are vessels of honour. Consider against wh…
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Ver. 13. Who is a wise man, and endued ivith knowledge among JaS. III. 13.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 299 yoii ? let him shoiu out of a good conversation his luorhs with meek- ness ofiuisdom. He now diverteth to another matter, though that which is near of kin with the former, which is an exhortation to meekness, a…
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Ohs. 3. The more true wi.sdora, the more meek. Wise men are less ' 'Surgunt indocti, et rapiunt Cfduni, et noH ciini omnibus doctrinis nostris detrudi- miir in Oeliennam.' * See Dr Sibbs in Hosea xiv. 8. ^ ' Sapientes Bapienter descendunt in infernum.'— Ilieron. JaS. III. 14.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 301 iingry…
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And strife in your hearts. — This is the usual effect of envy. And he saith ' in your hearts ; ' because, though it be managed with the tongue or hand, it is first contrived in the heart, and because this aggravateth the matter. Breaches may fall out between Christians in their converse besides intention ; but where th…
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^ Fucrunt quidam nostrorum vel minus stabilita fide, vel minus docti, vel minus cauti, qui dissidium facerent unitatis vel ecclesiam dissiparent ; sed ii quorum fides fuit lubriea, cum Deum nosse se aut colere simularunt, augendis opibus et Loiiori studentes affecta- bant maximum sacerdotium, et a potioribus vieti ssce…
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Ver. 15. This loisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. To right the truth against whose glory they had lied, he addeth these words, wherein he showeth that though they had a pretence of zeal and wisdom, yet it was not heavenly wisdom, but such as cometh from the devil, or the corrupt heart…
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Out of tliis verse observe : — Ohs. 1. Tliat we should look after the original of that wliich we conceive to be wisdom. Is it from above or fi'om beneath ? The quality is oft known by the original. True wisdom is inspired by God, and taught out of tlie word. See for both, Jol) xxxii. 8 ; Prov. ii. G ; and fetched out …
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Ohs. 4. From that carthhj. That wisdom is to be suspected for naught which you find to be earthly. A Christian should be wise for the kingdom of heaven : ' The children of this world are wise in their generation,' Luke xvi. 8. Oh ! it is sad to be a fool for duty and wise for the world, to be serious in trifles and to …
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Obs. 1. That where envy and strife is, there will be tumults and confusions. Ill affections divide as much as ill opinions. Lust is the great makebait. An envious proud spirit may undo a commonwealth. Look to your hearts then ; it is a sad thing to be the plague and pests of your country : if you would not be noted wit…
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^ Vide Petri Merentini Proef. in Juliani Miso. - The lip of Cauaan, Isa. xix. 18. ^ Belmen., aud others. 312 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. III. 17. ings, glorious illuminations, the bosom of God, the inward root, <S:c., and such like ' swelling words,' Jude IG, which are but a cover and preface to corrupt doctrine…
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All this is required of those that would be truly pure ; and ' this will be your wisdom,' Deut. iv. 6, how troublesome soever it be in the flesh, and inconvenient in the world : the flesh may judge it folly, and the world a fond scrupulosity ; but it is a high point of wisdom to be one of 'the world's fools,' 1 Cor. ii…
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And as the children of God are careful of civil peace, so also of church peace. True wisdom looketh not only at what may be done, but what should be done in such a juncture of time and affairs ; it will do anything but sin, that we may not give just offence. Basil, by reason of the prevalency of the adversaries, abstai…
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There are two corollaries that may be drawn from hence : — (1.) If the chiefest care must be for purity, then i)eace may be broken in truth's quarrel. It is a zealous speech of Luther, that rather heaven and earth should be blended together in confusion than one jot of truth perish. 4 It is a sleepy zeal that letteth e…
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^ ' Ov Kara tovs vvv a6<f>ovi KaraKXivofievos, ovSe rexvinQs Kdl fieaus tov Kad' ■i],uS.s \6yoi> TTooiffTd/xevoi. ' — Na:. * See my sermou before the Parliament on Zech. xiv. 9. 318 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, | JaS. III. 17. awakened Christ's zeal. Oh ! consider, the Lord himself hath given us a fair pattern : one e…
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^ See Mr Perkins of Christian Moderation on Phil, iv, 5. 320 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. III. 17. reason, 2 Peter ii. 10, * self-willed.' Men think that a disparagement which indeed is the greatest praise, to strike sail to a represented truth.i Ohs. 7. The next <iualification of wisdom is ' full of mercy,' whi…
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The fruit of righteousness. — It is an expression elsewhere used ; as Phil. i. 11, ' Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Christ to the praise and glory of God ; ' so Eom. vi. 22, ' Having your fruit to holiness," <tc. ; and again, Heb. xii. 11, 'Afflictions yield elpy']vcKov Kupirov BiKaLnavpr]<…
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Jas, IIL 18.] UPON THE epistle of james. 323 of our actions ; they are seed ; they fall npon the j^onnd, not to be lost, but to grow up again ; we may taste the fruits of them long after tliey be committed ; be sure you sow good seed. To help you, con- sider there must be suhactum solum, a ground prepared, Hosea x. 12…
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Ohs. 4. From that them that make peace. That true lovers of peace are and must be also lovers of righteousness. Peace without right- eousness is but a sordid compliance ; righteousness without peace is but a rough austerity. They are not tiuc friends to peace that can enhaunt with wicked men, digest violations of God's…
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Which ivar in your members. — There are several sorts of wars in the heart of man. In a wicked man's heart there may be combats — (1.) Between a man and his conscience. A heathen^ could say, o-racrta^ei amoiv '^v)(7^, their soul is in a mutiny ; and elsewhere, s])eak- ing of a wicked man, ovhe irpo^ eavrov <I>lXikio<; …
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Before I go from this verse, I must handle two questions ; one is concerning outward Avars, and the other concerning inward. Quest. 1. Concerning outward wars. The apostle's speech is inde- finite, and at first seemeth to condemn all wars, as if they were of a base original and descent, of the lineage of lust ; theref…
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it being revengeful and ambitious. You sliall see in all such like cases, where man is very ready to practise, tlie scripture is very spar- ing in licensing or requiring. We all desire to sin ctim privilegio, with a warrant from heaven ; and to say as those in the prophet, ' Thou hast deceived us,' Jer. iv. 10 ; or thi…
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Out of all you may learn— (1.) Not to cry up a confederacy with every one that crieth up a confederacy. Wars may easily be unrighteous, and it is dangerous to come under the guilt of it. Here we walk upon the brink ; it is the most solemn and .severe act of vindicative justice, and therefore must not be undertaken slig…
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^ * A quatenus ad omne valet consequentia.' - Arist. Rhet. 332 AN ExrosiTiox, with notes, [J as. IV. 2. wicked man hateth some g;ross and starini!^ sins ; otlievs, wliicli are plausible and ])rofit<i])le, are reserved as a sweet morsel under tlieir tongues. The hatred of a godly man is perpetual and irreconcilable ; …
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Ye fight and loar, and. yet ye have not; that is, though their violence and carnal desires had broken out so far as public insurrec- tions and tumults, yet still they were at a loss. Because ye ask not ; that is, you do not use the lawful means of prayer. But how can it be said, ' ye ask not,' since in the next verse …
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JaS. IV. 2.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 335 destroyed your souls: Hosea ii. 6, ' I will hedge up her way willi thorns.' Some cross providences may be a hedge to keep thee from further misery. Use 3. It teacheth you what reflections to make upon yourselves in case of disappointment. When wc miss any worldly thing that…
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Obs. 4. That lust will put men not only upon dishonest endeavours, but unlawful means, to accomplish their ends, killing, and warring, and fighting, <fcc. Bad mcaus will suit well enough with base end.s ; they resolve to have it, rem, quocunquc modo rem ; any means will serve the turn, so they may satisfy their thirst …
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Ver. 3. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. In this verse he anticipateth and preventeth an objection. They might say. We do ask, and go to God (suppose) by daily prayers. The apostle answereth, You ask indeed ; but because of your vicious intention you cannot complain…
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^ See Dr Kiuet's Apology for the Virgin Mary, lib. ii. cap. 15, et alibi i^assim. 340 AN ExrosiTiON, WITH NOTES, [Jas. IV. 3. their lusts, men look upon God (anquam aliquem magnum, as some ^eat power that must serve their carnal turns ; as he came to Christ, Luke xii. 13, ' Master, speak to my brother to divide the i…
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But how sliall I do to get my ends right in praj'er ? It is a necessary question ; nothing maketh a man see the necessity of the divine help and concurrence to the word of prayer so much as this. To act for a holy end require! h the presence of the Spirit of grace ; supernatural acts need supernatural strength. It is …
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JaS. IV. 4.] UPOK THE ErjSTLE OF JAMES. 313 Is enmify with God. — When you begin to please the world you Avage war against heaven, and bid open defiance to the Lord of hosts; the love of God and care of obedience is abated just so much as the world prevaileth in you. There is a like expression Rom. viii. 7, ' The carn…
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Obs. 2. From that and adulteresses. Tlie Syriac translation hath JaS. IV. 4.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 345 not this word ; the vulgar hatli only adulteri, yet the Greek copies have it. It is not usual in scriptures to speak to women; the speeches of the apostles in their epistles are usually directed to men, theref…
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Ver. 5. I)o ye think the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that diuelleth in tis lusteth to envy ? This scripture hath b(>en much vexed with the several expositions of those that have dealt in it, because it doth not easily appear of what scri-ptiire or of what spirit the apostle speaketh. Two o])inions are most wor…
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The points are these: — Obs. 1. Though sin be natural to us, it is not therefore the less evil. It is the apostle's argument against envy and lust, ' The spirit that is in us lusteth to it.' Poison by nature is more than poison by accident. We pity that which is poisoned, Ave hate that which is poisonous ; as we pity …
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Obs. 1. You may refer it to the context thus : ' Our spirit lusteth to envy ; but he givetli more grace ; ' that is, we are envious, and God is bountiful. It is usual in scripture to oppose God's liberality to our envy, his good hand to our evil eye. Mat. xx. 1,5. Damascene calleth God d(f)6ovo'i, one without envy, bec…
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Obs. 4. Another consideration of this place may be this : Naturally it is thus with us, but he giveth more grace ; when you are renewed and converted to the faith of Christ, you have another manner of spirit ; you are not carried by the old envious spirit that dwelleth in you, but by a more gracious spirit which God ha…
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352 AN EXPOSITION', WITH XOTF.S, [JaS. IV. 6. nialceth men loose and careless ; as when absolute promises are not considered in the analogy of faith. Absolute promises may be our first encouragement, but conditional promises must be our direction ; ihey are a plank cast out to save a sinking soul, but these show us th…
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^ '"Ev^a rats Trpurats tCjv rikiaKwv aKTivwv eVt/SoXatj 6 ipyvpos Karavyaffdeis davfiaaius eV^ffTtX/Se, fj.apixaipwv tI <j)o§epov kuI rots ets ai'Tov aTepl^ovffi (pptKuSes.' — Josephus. VOL. IV. Z 354 AN EXPOSITION. WITH NOTES, [JaS. IV. G. What should be the reason of all this, that God should so expressl}' set hims…
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^ See Melchior Adamus in Vita Staupicii. 35G AX EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. IV. 7. stay for tlie call of providence, it is but an untimely desire of pro- motion, which either God crosseth, or else it proveth a curse and snare to us. Use 2. The next use is, that we should not envy a proud person, no more than we wo…
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2. It may be inferred out of the former clause thus : ' He resisteth the proud, therefore submit yourselves;' that is, therefore let the Lord have a willing and spontaneous subjection from you ; and then the note will be : — Ohs. The creature must be humbled either actively or passively. If you have not a humble heart…
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* * Observatum «8t a sacrificantibus, ut Bi hostia quas ad aras duceretur fuiaset vehe- menter reluctiita, OBtendisaetciue se iavitam altaribuH admoveri, amoveretur, quia invito deo earn efferri putabant ; quBC vero stetisset oblata, hauc volenti numini dari cxistima- bant.' — Macrobi., Saturn, lib. iii, , JaS. IV. 7.…
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2. The connection may be conceived thus : If you would submit to God, you must beware of those proud suggestions wherewith Satan would puff up your spirits. The note is : — OIjs. That one of Satan's chief temptations is pride. Therefore, when the apostle speaketh of submi.ssion, he presently addeth, * resist the devil…
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362 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [Jas. IV. 7. 1. The commerce between Satan and a sinner, and how he cometh to insinuate his temptations. 2. What it is to resist him, the purport and intent of this great duty. 3. The way and means of maintaining this war and conflict. 4. The most persuasive arguments and motives to e…
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3. Thirdly, The next thing is the way and means of maintaining this war and conflict ; not by crossing yourselves, spitting at his name and mention, but by the graces of God's Holy Spirit. I shall mention the chiefest. There is — (1.) Faith, 1 Peter v. 10. You had need of faith, that you may overcome mystically, by tak…
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Aoid he loill flee from you. — Here is the promise annexed as an encouragement to the duty. But you will say, How is it to be under- stood ? Doth Satan always fly when he is resisted ? The children of God by sad experience find that he reneweth the battle, and prevailetli sometimes by the second or third assault. I ans…
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' Qij. 'Better'? — Ed. * ' Pcccata el Miigunt uos voluutate, uon loco.' JaS. IV. 8.] UPOX THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 367 God offended with us. How can a holy nature delight in an impure creature ? And as sin in the general doth thus, so there are some special sins that separate between God and the soul ; as pride : Ps. cx…
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3. The last question is. What special acts doth the soul put forth when it draweth nigh to God ? The answer may be given you from what was said before. There must be an act of faith in our wants ; by faith we must see that in God which we stand in need of in sense. ^ ' Absque cruore Domini nemo appropinquat Deo.'— •//…
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2. Secondly, The next consideration of the words is, as they respect Christians already converted and called ; and so the sense is, draw more near to God every day in a holy communion, and you shall have more grace from him. The note is : — Ohs. That gracious hearts should always be renewing their accesses to God by C…
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Ohs. Observe, that the Lord hath required not only holy hearts, but holy hands. The goodness of your hearts must appear in the integrity of your conversations. When men's actions are naught, they pretend their hearts are good. Is there no evil in the hand? The heart must be pure and the way undefiled, that we may neith…
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Obs. Observe, if we would not be afflicted of God, we should afflict ourselves for sin. Voluntary humiliations are always best and sweetest; they please God best, and they do us most good. God is most pleased then. Christ was ' wounded with one of the spouse's eyes,' Cant. iv. 9. The angels rejoice at the creatures' re…
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JaS. IV. 0.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 375 of them, but high aims and attempts in duty will do you no hurt. He that shooteth at the sun, though he come far short, will shoot higher than he that aimeth at a shrub ; it is best to eye the highest and worthiest examples. Again, it showeth how little of a Christian is fou…
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Obs. 2. That an excellent way to moderate the excess of joy is to mix it with some weeping. He speaketh to men drunk with their present happiness, and his drift is to awaken them out of their sense- less stupor. The way to abate one passion is to admit the contrary : in abundance there is danger ; therefore in your jol…
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Obs. 2. The sight of God is an especial help to humiliation. The soul becometh humble by the true knowledge of God and ourselves: Jo!) xlii. 6, ' Mine eye seeth thee, therefore 1 abhor myself in dust and ashes.' When he had a glorious apparition of God he vanished into nothing in his own thoughts. The stars vanish when…
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Ohfi. That speaking evil of one another doth not become brethren and Christians. A citizen of Sion is thus described : Ps. xv. 3, ' lie backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.' So there is an express law: Lev. xix. IG, ' Thou shalt not go up and do…
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Speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the laiv. — How can this* be ? Several ways may this sentence be made good. I shall name the principal. First, Every sin is a kind of an affront to the law that forbiddetli it; for, by doing quite contrary, we do in effect judge the law not fit or worthy to be obeyed. As, for inst…
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JaS. IV. 12. J UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 383 grace hath the hap to suffer under some ill resemblance. As they were wont to deal with Christians in the primitive times, to put them in bearskins, and then to bait them, so graces are miscalled and misre- presented, and then hooted at. The law saith. Be zealous, be peace…
917 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.