PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 4
Thomas Manton · 310,631 words · 303 reading sections
Section 241
Hoi. I answer — Tiioy do in a sort, but not in that order and manner that God's do. (1.) Not directly and immediately, but by the inter- vention of God's command. As a Christian is bound to perform all civil duties upon reasons of religion, we are bound in conscience, though human laws under that quatenus do not bind c…
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^ ' Non attendendum quid alii ante nos f eceriat, sed quid Dominus, qui ante omnes. ' — Cyprian Epist. de Eucharist. - Calvinus in locum. VOL. lY. ^ 2 B 386 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. IV. 13. you into hell? see Ezek. xxii. 14. Have you courage and strength enough to withstand God ? What will you do with him tha…
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Ohs. 2. Again you may observe, that carnal men send out their thoughts to forestall and fore-enjoy their contentments ere they obtain them. It is usual with men to feed themselves with the pleasure of their hopes. Sisera's mother's ladies looked through the lattice, pleasing themselves in the thought of a triumphant re…
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' ' Singulos dies singulas vitas puta, et quotidie deuiitur aliqua pars vit» ; Lunc ipsum quem vivimua diem cum morte dividimus.' — Seneca. 2 See Samuel Bochartus his Phalcy, the second part. JaS. IV. 13.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 389 neither be too much in the world, nor too confidant of your own industry. Ohs. 2…
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For ivhat is your life ? It is even a vapour. — Brevity of life is set forth by many comparisons in scripture : by the flower of the field, Isa. xl. 6, 7 ; by the wind, Job vii. 7 ; a leaf before the wind. Job xiii. 25 ; by a shadow. Job xiv. 2. There is a heap of similitudes. Job ix. 25, ' Now my days are swifter than…
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Ver. 15. For ye ouglit to say, If the Lord luill, loe shall live, and do this or that. ^ ' Nemo tarn divos habuit faventes crastiniun ut possit sibi polliceri.' — Seneca. ' Prudens futuri temporis exitum Caligincsa nocte premit Deus.' — Horat. ^ So in both the first and second editions. Probably ' our whole thoughts.'…
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Ohs. All our undertakings must be referred to the will of God ; not only sacred, but civil actions. Our journeys must not be undertaken without asking his leave ; as Jacob, Gen. xxviii. 20 and xxiv. 12, ' O Lord God of Abraham thy servant, send me good speed this day.' No wonder, if this be neglected, that you meet wit…
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Ver. 16. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Here the apo.stle cometh to charge more closely their arrogant presumption of outward success upon their consciences, especially it being aggravated by professed acknowledgment and avowing of it, against the threatenings of the word. But now y…
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Ver. 17. Therefore to him that Imoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. In this verse the apostle takcth off the prejudice and cavil whereby his admonition might be slighted and evaded. They might reply, We have no need to be taught such a plain lesson ; we know that life is short, and that God's provid…
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* 'Apostatai sunt maximi osores sui ordinis.' ^ See Grotius in Acts xix. 33. ^ See Despaigne's New Observations on the Creed, about the beginning. 398 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [J AS. V. 1. hints. Concern incj the danger of sins of knowledge 3-ou may see more in Mr Thomas Goodwin's treatise called ' Aggravations o…
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^ ' Ita fideles instruit ut infideles non ncKligat.' — Calvin. 400 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. V. 1. given to the c^ood, lest they should be thought evil ; to the bad, lest we should think them the only and chiefest good.^ (2.) Do the more good ; duties recovered out of the hand of difficulty are the more com- m…
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Ohs. 3. Again, from that lueep and howl. Nothing but woe to them, as if they were past hope and counsel, and only left to terror and threatening. He had said, Go to noiu before to the ambitious traffickers, James iv. 13, but he instructeth them, and only threateneth these. Rich sinners are most incurable, i The reason …
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* See Josephua Antiq., lib. xviii. ; and Pbilo in Hist. Legat. ad Caium. See also Light- foot in Comment, on Acts. * ' Non torquendus quia homicida es, quia fornicator, sed tantum quia dives, quia divitiis male utc^-is, quia dataa tibi divitiaa ad opus sanctum non intelligia' — Salvian. ad EccUsiam Catholicam, lib. i.…
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Obs. 3. Covetousness bringeth God's curse upon our estates. He sendeth corruption, and the rust, and the moth. There is nothing- gotten by rapine or tenacity, by greedy getting, or close withholding. Not by greedy getting ; wlien men will snatch an estate out of the hands of providence, no wonder if God snatch it away …
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And shall eat your flesh as it were fire. — Some interpret this of 406 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. V- % 3. those anxious and ' piercing cares,' 1 Tim. vi. 9, wlierevvith covetous men cumber their Hves, and eat out the vigour of their own spirits ; but with httle probability. They come much nearer to the scope of…
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1 ' Plus viatioi qurcritur, quo minus restat viae.' — -Seneca. - ' Tunc magis ira.scitur Deus cum non irascitur ; non euim cum nescio sed cum sentio te iratum, tunc maxime confido propitium.' — Bernard. Serm. 42 in Cant. 408 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. V. 4. (lays to the Jcwisli commonwealth were even ready to …
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Ohs. 8. As all oppression crieth to God, so especially the oppression of poor servants, and those that live by handy labour. It is twice repeated in the text, * Avhich have reaped your fields/ and then, again, ' the cry of them which have reaped.' And the reason is, because it is their life, and so an act of the greate…
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' See Mr Liirrougb's his ' Lord of HoBts; ' and Dr Chappel on !'«. ciii. '21. JaS. V. 4.] UPON THE EPISTLK OF JAMES. 411 things. God's command reacheth from tlio lii<^hest angel to the lowest creatures. The angels are principally called (lod's host ; see 1 Kings xxii. 9 ; Luke ii. 14. And of what power are they, sinc…
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Obs. 3. Though delicate living be a sin incident to wealthy men, yet their abundance doth not excuse it. It is charged upon the rich man in tlie Gospel that he fared deliciously every day, Luke xvi. God gave wealth for another purpose than to spend it in pleasures. It is pro- digious in poor men to guzzle and drink awa…
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^ ' 0 animula vague a blandula, quos nunc adibis locos I nee dabis ut solebas jocos,' &c. — Platina 414 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. V. 5. call ouo<;, the ass-fish, which hath its heart in its belly ; a fit emblem of a sensual epicure. The heart is never more dull and unfit for the severities and masculine height…
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Ver. G. Ye have condemned and killed the Just ; and he doth not resist you. The apostle cometli now to another sin, and that is tyrannous and oppressing cruelty, which is also an effect of riches, where there is no grace to sanctify the enjoyment of them. From the context observe : — Ohs. That plenty begettetli injur…
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JaS. V. 6.] Ul'ON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 41? that exception of Brochraand of any weight, how this could be charged upon these sensual rich men, since they that condemned and killed Christ, and the main promoters of his sufferings, were the Pharisees and chief priests, dissembling hypocrites, since the guilt lay upon th…
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Ver. 7. Be patient, therefore, brethren, nnto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long 2:)atieuce for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. He now diverteth from the rich oppressors unto the ])oor faithful l)rethren that were oppressed ; by the…
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1. It may be meant of Christ's ])articular coming to judge these wicked men. This epistle was written about thirty years after Christ's death, and there was but a little time between that and Jerusalem's last ; so that unto the coming of the Lord, is until the overwhelming of Jerusalem, which is also elsewhere expresse…
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^ Clemens Constit. Apost., lib. ii. cap. 63. 422 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. V. 8- under the clods, and after all this there must be lon<2^ waiting. We cannot sow and reap in a day ; efTects cannot follow till all necessary causes have first wrought : it is not in the power of the husbandman to ripen fruits at p…
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Ver. 9. Grudge not one against another, brethren^ lest ye he con- demned : behold, the judge standeth before the door. In this verse the apostle layeth down the danger of evil groaning, 1 ' Ratio huiuana tantum in prEcsenti sensu hseret, nihil aliud audit, intelligit, seutit, videt, cogitat.' — Luther in Esaiam, liv.…
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Ohs. 2. Mutual groanings and grudgings between brethren are a usual forerunner of judgment ; after biting and devouring, there fol- loweth consuming. Gal. v. 15. It cometh to pass partly by the provi- dence and ordination of God. Wanton contests are not cured but by deep afflictions ; and when spirits are once exulcera…
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JaS. V. 10.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 427 Of sufferincj afflictions and of pc Hence ; that is, when God maketh us like ithem in sufferings, we should be like them in patience. It is comfortable to come into their lot, and to be bound up in the same bundle of honour with them. Their example is produced partly to take…
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Secondly, We, may imply the judgment of the visible church. The whole Christian church doth acknowledge the slain prophets happy, and celebrate their memory : /xaKapi^eiv, the word in the text, properly signifieth to make or declare happy. What is in the Hebrew, ' the daughters will call me l)lessed,' Gen. xxx. 13, the…
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Ohs. 1. Again from that ye have heard. We had never heard of Job had he not been brought so low. Affliction maketh saints emi- nent : 1 Job's poverty made him rich in honour and esteem ; stars do not shine but in the night ; the less we are made by providence, the greater.2 You may oppose this against the temptation of…
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^ ' De Job et Christo specialiter exemplificat, Job in Veteri Testamento, Christus in Novo, quorum uni reddita sunt temporalia, alteri scfccrna. Sufferentiara Jobi audistis, quanta sustinuit a Diabolo, a prsedonibus, ab uxore, ab amicis ; et fidem Domini vidistis, oculis scilicet vestris, in cruce pendentem, longanimit…
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Obs. 1. From that very jy^tifid and tender mercy. — God's mercy is seldom spoken of without some addition of much, or great, or tender, &c. Most commonly in the Old Testament it is expressed plurally, mercies and loving -kindnesses, and very often are those additions of much and great annexed : Exod. xxxiv. 6, ' Great …
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^ ' Ne pra;ponatis juramentum omuibus verbis et promissis.' JaS. V. 12.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 435 have fervent charity among yourselves.' But you will say, Why cloth he press this above all things ? The question is grave and weighty. I shall give some reasons, which will occasion so many notes. Ohs. 1. Because…
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Sicear not, neither hij heaven, nor hy earth, nor b// any other oath. — For the opening of this passage, it may be incpiired : — 1. Whether all oaths be forbidden? Divers have been of this judgment. The Essenes thought all oaths as bad as perjury, as Josephus witnesseth, ' De Pello Judaico,' lib. ii. cap. 7. Jerome ch…
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Keader, thou art entreated to take notice, that the author being * Philo. in lib. irepl tQv iv etoet vofiuv. 438 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [Jas. V. 12. sensible that this book grew somewhat bulkish, purposely omitted those larger discourses which he conceived u})OU this verse concerning the lawfulness of oaths, the…
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Is any merry ? evOvfiel rh-, 'is any of a good mind ?' — The effect is put for the state, gladness for prosperity, which is wont to make the heart glad and merry ; the word is translated ' of good cheer,' Acts xxvii. 22, ' I exhort you to be of good cheer ; ' it is evdv^elv. Let him sing ^^salms. — In the original the…
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^ Qu. 'taking .13 well as giving' ? - Va). JaS. V. 13.] UPON THE EriSTLE OF JAMES. 441 affections are once raised, give them a right object, otherwise they are apt to degenerate, and to offend in their measure, though their first occasion was lawful. Ohs. 5. Prayer is the best remedy for sorrows. Griefs are eased by…
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1. That they may be sung may be proved by reason ; the word limiteth not, and therefore we have no reason to make any restraint. They are part of the word of God, full of matter that tendeth to instruction, comfort, and the praise of God, which are the ends of singing ; and therefore, unless we will bring a disparageme…
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444 AN EXPOSITION. "WITH NOTES, [JaS. V. 13. crcaseth tlicm. David spcakctli often of praising God with his tongue, and 'with his glory,' Ps. cviii. 1, by which lie meaneth liis tongue; as Ps. xvi. 9, ' My heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth ;' it is rendered, ' my tongue rejoiceth,' Acts ii. 1(5. Besides all this, …
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Lastly, some scruple the present translation of the Book of Psalms, the metre being so low and fiat, and coming so far short of David's original. I confess this is a defect that needeth public redress and reformation. But it is good to make use of present means, though weak, when we have no better ; as the martyrs did …
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^ ' yEtate seuiorcs in quavis vicinia aut socictate Iklelium.' — Aret. in locum. JaS. V. 14.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 447 number ; as we say, Send liim to the schools, that is, to some school; so Call for physicians, that is, go to men of that rank, &c. This sense is considerable, though I do believe the apostle s…
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JaS. V. 14.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 449 aculous effect. I answer — So he did the water of Siloara to heal the blind, John ix. 7, the pool of Bethesda to cure the diseased, John v. 2, Jordan for ISTaaman's leprosy, &c. ; and yet these cannot be set up as sacraments and standing ordinances. 2. In the apostles' time…
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Obs. 1. From the supposition is any among you sick ? The note is obvious. Christ's worshippers are not exempted from siclmess, no more than any other affliction. God may chasten those whom he loveth. It is said, John xi. 3, ' Beliold he whom thou lovest is sick.' Those that are dear to God have their share of miseries.…
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■^ ' Corporis gravia, et multa tormenta intelligit.' — Cyprian. 452 AN EXrOSITI6N, WITH NOTES, [JaS. V. 14. the sick must call for the elders. Truly sfunctiuiesl have been afraid to prostitute the comforts of Christianity to persons sottishly neglect- ing their own souls, I confess sometimes, where we know our com- p…
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Ver. 15. A7id the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be for- given him. Here he cometli to show the effect of this anointing and prayin^};', though it is notable he ascribeth it rather to the prayer than to the oil, the moral means being much…
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JaS. V. 15.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 4.55 &c. Faith is the fountain of prayer, and prayer should be nothing else but faith exercised ; none can come to Christ rightly but such as are persuaded to be the better for him ; all worship is founded in good thoughts of God. We have no reason to doubt ; we always find a be…
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Obs. 6. That is the best cure which is founded in a pardon. The apostle saith, 'shall save the sick, and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.' 0 my brethren ! it were ill if any of us should be cured without a pardon, if the stripe and wound should remain upon the conscience when the body is made soun…
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458 AN" EXPOSITION, WITH KOTES, [JaS. Y. 16. fore God continucth trouble ; therefore it is best to take David's course, Ps. cxix. 2G, ' I declared my ways, and thou heardest me/ He opened his whole estate to God, and then God gave him the light and comfort of grace. Con/ess your faults one to another, i^ofiuXoyelade …
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^ ' Hreresis est crimen qnod nee coufessio ceLit.' 460 AN ExrosiTioN', WITH NOTES, [Jas. v. 1G. Paul nrgeth, 1 Cor. v. G, 'A little leaven leavcneth the whole \um\) ;' and Heb. xii. 15, ' Lest many be ilefiled,' &c. In which places he doth not mean so mnch the contagion of their ill example, as the taint of reproach,…
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462 AN ExrosiTiox, with notes, [Jas. v. 16. that our hearts ma.y 1)e entendered to you, and the fitter to apply reproof, comfort, and counsel to your souls. Oh ! pray that we may have wisdom and faithfulness, and speak the word of the Lord boldly. So also pray for one another. Some are in better temper to pray for oth…
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Ohs. 1. That a true prayer must be an earnest, fervent prayer. The ancient token of acceptance was firing the sacrifice. Success may be much known by the heat and warmth of our spirits. Prayer was figured by wrestling ; compare Gen. xxxii. 26 with Hosea xii. 4 ; certainly that is the way of prevailing. So it is resembl…
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Thirdly, The effect of the duty, availeth much. He doth not tell you how much ; you will find that upon trial and experience. Observe : — JaS. V. 17.] UrON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 465 Ohs. That prayers riglitly managed cannot want effect. This is the means which God hath consecrated for receiving the highest bless- ing…
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And he prayed earnestly, Trpoaev^v 7rpo(T7]V)(^aTO, he prayed in prayer, a known Hebraism. Verhalia addita verbis is a kind of construction among the Hebrews which implieth vehemency, and that earnest contention of spirit which should be in prayer. It is an explication of 8i'i]at<; ivepyovfievrj, used by the apostle in…
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Ohs. 2. It is no injury to the most holy persons to look upon them as men like ourselves. There is a double fault ; some canonize the servants of God, not considering them in their infirmities, make them half gods, who were by privilege exempted from the ordinary state of ^ ' Omnis sanguis concolor.' — Petracka. 468 …
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Obs. 7. From that he prayed earnestly, or grayed in prayer. This is our duty, to pray in prayer. Not only to say a prayer, but to pray a prayer : Rom. viii. 26, ' We pray, and the Spirit maketli interces- sion for us with sighs and groans that cannot be uttered ; ' that is, we pray, and the Spirit prayeth in our prayer…
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Ver. 18. And he prayed again ^ and the heaven gave rain, and the earth hroufjht forth her fruit. JaS. V. 18.J UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 471 He prayed again ; that is, in another strain, not by way of impre- cation, but supplication, which last is recorded in the word, 1 Kings xviii. 42, ' He cast himself upon the ea…
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Ver. 19, 20. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him hioio that he ivhich converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a ■multitude of sins. Here, from prayer, the apostle diverteth to another Christian oflfice, and that is admonition, w…
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^ That the gospel is eminently called truth, see Grotivis in locum. 474 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. V. 19, 20. person, but of the person to whom cliarity is exercised. For that sen- tence is taken out of Prov. x. 12, ' Hatred stirretli up strifes, but love covereth ail sins;' that is, concealeth and burieth the …
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Ohs. 3. From that if any do err. If but one, there is none so base and contemptible in the church but the care of their safety belongeth to all. One root of bitterness defileth many ; both in point of infection and scandal we are all concerned ; one spark may occasion a great burning. As Arius ; an inconsiderable spark…
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Obs. 7. From that let Mm know. To quicken ourselves in a good work, it is good we should actually consider the dignity and benefits of it ; <yL^vwaKeroi^ let him consider what a high honour it is to have a hand in such a work. So the apostle presseth to patience upon this ground, Rom. v. 3, ' Knowing that tribulation w…
976 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.