PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 5
Thomas Manton · 312,097 words · 303 reading sections
Section 1
mmmm ^ PRINCETON, **. J. 5/%^^- Manton, Thomas, 1620-1677. | The complete works of Thomas Manton "V THE WORKS OF THOMAS MANTON, D.D. VOL. V. COUNCIL OF PUBLICATION. W. LINDSAY ALEXANDER, D.D., Professor of Theology, Congregational Union, Edinburgh. JAMES BEGG, D.D., Minister of Newington Free Church, Edinbu…
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That I have inscribed this Commentary to your name will not seem strange to those that know my great obligations to yourself and your worthy husband, and your interest in that beloved place ^ and people among whom I have had so many sweet opportunities of enjoying, and, I hope, of glorifying God, and from whom I should…
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THE EPISTLE TO THE READER. 7 from what corner the storm shall blow sve cannot tell ; some fear a return of popery, and that a second deluge of antichristianism shall overwhelm the western churches. The Papists, I confess, are danger- ous, but the great and next fear I think to be from Libertines and a yokeless generat…
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This epistle, as others, beginneth witli usual Christian salutations ; these are continued through the two first verses, in which -you have : — 1. The person saluting, Jude, the author of the epistle. 2. The persons saluted, the believers of that age. 3. The form of salutation, ver. 2, mercy, and pedes, and love he …
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Obs. 1. Observe, first, that Jude placeth his service among his titles. He might have urged other things to render himself honourable to the world, but he doth not stand upon those things ; it is enough for him to say, ' Jude, a servant.' As Jude, the Lord's cousin, calleth himself his servant, so doth Mary, the Lord's…
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glory. But this is not all ; by redemption you are Christ's : ' Ye are bought with a price/ 1 Cor. vi. 20, as the redeemed are bound to serve him that ransomed them. If a man had bought another out of cap- tivity, or he had sold himself, all his strength or service belonged to the buyer. Christ hath bought us from the …
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3. The author of the epistle is described by his kindred and relation, 14 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 1. and brother of Jam.es. There were two in the college of the apostles of that name, James of Zebedee, and ' James the son of Alpheus,' who was also called ' the brother of the Lord,' that is, his cousin-german…
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16 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 1, ' Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment.' In all Christ's miraculous cures there are some words used, ' Be thou clean,' and ' Be thou whole,' and 'Be thou opened;' and to Lazarus in the grave Christ useth words of ministerial excitation, ' Lazarus, come forth/ So in con- verting a…
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For the other sort, that are kept off by their own fears, they are wont to allege, It is true there is mercy in Christ for sinners, but Christ doth not call them. My brethren, what do you look for? an audible voice to speak to you. Thou John, thou Thomas, &c. ? In the tenders of the gospel you are included as well as o…
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VeR. 1.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 19 iii. 14. Once more, here we have the clearest and most sensible ex- perience of the work of grace. After conversion, the work may be carried on tacitly, and with more silence ; but in calling and conver- sion, as in all changes, the operations of grace are more sensible ; we may g…
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VeR. 1.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 21 felt and found in them ; there is at least an anxiousness about their everlasting estate. Every soul doth not walk ' in the re<2jion of the shadow of death,' but every soul first or last is brought to What shall I do? which is usually upon some secret or open sin into which God su…
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2. Again, the next note or occasion of discovery may be taken from the instrument or means by which God hath called us, namely, the word : 2 Tlies. 14, ' By my gospel' Oracles and audible voices are not his usual course. Some Christians talk of such things, but, to say tlie least of the mistake, they are but the suppos…
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24 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeK. 1. 4. Again, you may know your calling by the concomitant disposi- tions of the soul that go along with such a return and answer. Wher- ever Christ is received, he is received with worthy and suitable a.ffec- tions; these are most notable : — (1.) Godly sorrow: Jer. xxxi. 9, ' They …
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[2.] In the life there will be a change ; men will walk worthy their calling, not disgracing it by scandals or unseemly practices: Eph. iv. 1, ' I beseech you, brethren, walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called ;' that is, suitable to the purity, suitable to the dignity of it. When David was a shepherd, he t…
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^ It was a profanation in Belshazzar to drink in the cups of the temple. VeR. 1.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 27 2. To sanctify is to cleanse, together with its positive act, to renew and adorn with grace. Let us first speak of the privative or cleansing work ; this notion is necessary to be added to the former. They …
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* As a cbild is true man, though not a perfect man, as soon as he is born ; he hath all the parts, though not the growth, and strength, and stature. 2 All was depraved by Adam, and all is renewed by Christ. VeR. 1.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 29 wanting. But now tbougli this sanctification be thorough, yet it is not f…
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VeR. 1.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 31 maintain commerce between man and man ; if they be kind in their relations, it is for their own peace and quiet ; nothing is done as in and to the Lord, as the apostle enjoineth, Eph. v. God is neither at the beginning nor at the end of any of these actions ; the love of God is no…
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YeR. 1.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 33 in the church to be conveyed to us by the use of these oixiinances. So John xvii. 19, 'I sanctify myself for their sakes, that they may be sanctified through the truth.' Wlienever we come to the word, or enjoy the use of the seals, we may expect to reap the fruits of Christ's purc…
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Use 1. It serveth for conviction. If God's people are a sanctified people, then here is but sad news for two sorts of persons. (1.) The pro- fane, that care not for holiness ; God hath no birthright for such Esaus ; the portion of the Lord are a holy portion, but these have ' a spot that is not as the spot of his child…
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36 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 1, more, it fincletli better entertainment and welcome than the gospel doth. There is no ' hungering and thirsting' after Christ ; they do not see the need of the sweetness of his grace, of the help of his Spirit, going on in a plausible, moral course, without rub or difficulty. Whe…
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3. The next thing is restrcmiing grace,^ which is nothing else but an awe upon the conscience, inclining men to forbear sin, though they do not hate it. Now you may discern it, partly because love is of little use and force with such kind of spirits ; they are chained up by their own fears. The great evangelic motive i…
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Having spoken of the state, I come now to speak of the author of it, God the Father. But why is it so distinctly attributed to the Father ? Is not Christ ' our sanctification ? ' 1 Cor. i. 30, and is it not called 'the sanctification of the Spirit?' 2 Thes. ii. 13. The answer shall draw out the strength of the phrase i…
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Use 2. Praise the Lord whenever this work is accomplished. Not I, but grace ; it must not be ascribed to our works, or to any power that is in ourselves, but to God's mercy, Christ's merits, and the Spirit's efficacy. There is God's grant : ' To her it was granted to be covered with fine linen, the righteousness of the…
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^ * Causa ob quam Filius nos amat, quia ipsi a Patre demandatum est, et causa cur Pater nobis favet, est quia hoc Filius ab ipso postulat et promeretur, ' &c. — See Stella at large, Be Amore Dei, 18. 42 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 1. fortable. Therefore it is said, 1 Peter i. 21, that * by him we believe in God …
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But now it is high time to proceed to the second and last manifesta- tion of their effectual calling, preserved in Jesus Christ, TeT7jpi]/j,evoi^- iv Xpiarw, kept in or by him ; the meaning is, they were not only sanctified for the present out of the store and plenty of God the Father, but should for ever be kept in th…
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We do not plead for any wild assurance and certainty of persever- ance; we do not say that they that neglect means, or grieve the Spirit, and do what they list, are sure that they shall not miscarry ; that is against the nature of God's dispensation, and the nature of this assur- ance, and therefore but a vain cavil. I…
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Once more, and I have done with the state of the question. God doth not only require the condition of standing, or continuing in the exercise of grace, but give it infallib]3^ The precepts of the covenant of grace are also promises: Heb. viii. 10, ' This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel,' &c., …
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[3.] On the Spirit's part there is a continued influence, so as to main- tain the essence and seed of grace. The Father's love is continued by the merit of Christ, that he may not depart from us ; and we are pre- served by the Spirit of Christ, that we may not depart from him. He doth not only put into our hearts faith…
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VeK. 1.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 49 Lord, I have sinned through weakness, but I hope there is some grace left, some bent of heart towards thee. So the church, Isa. Ixiv. 8, 9, * Now, 0 Lord, thou art our father,' &c. Yea, God is angry when we do not plead. So Jer. iii, 4, ' Wilt thou not cry, Thou art my father?* &c…
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^ Qu. ' we are like the dry stalk remaining ' ? — Ed. VeK. 1.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 51 gracious work of the Spirit will last for ever. (3.) Seeming and unsound grace, as false faith, such as beginneth in joy, will end in trouble;! it easeth you for the present, but you shall lie down in sorrow. General probabili…
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YeR. 2.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 53 and keep you to his everlasting kingdom. (5.) In the hour of death. When all things else fail you, God will not fail you : this is the last brunt ; do but wait a little while, and you will find more behind than ever you enjoyed ; ' deatli shall not separate : ' as Olevian comforte…
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Ohs. 2. Observe, again, the aptness of the requests to the persons for whom he prayeth. ' Those that are sanctified and called' have still need of ' mercy, peace, and love.' They need mercy, because we merit nothing of God, neither before grace received nor afterward. The very continuance of our glory in heaven is a fr…
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Secondly, Let me handle them particularly and apart. And first, mercy, which is the rise and cause of all the good we have from God. The Lord would dispense blessings in such a way as might beat down despair and carnal confidence. Man hath need of mercy, but deserveth none. Despair would keep us from God, and carnal co…
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58 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [YeR. 2. derision. When vre have done our errand, free grace will make us all liars. To this effect did he expostulate with God. God might easily destroy sinners with much honour to himself ; but he is long-suffering, even then when his patience for a while seemeth to impair the revenues …
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7. It is not only the aim of the word, but of providence, and of all the dispensations of God to the creature, to represent him merciful. The whole world is a great volume, written within and without with characters and lines of mercy : Ps. cxlv. 9, ' His mercy is over all his works.' Every creature beareth the marks a…
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VeR. 2.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 61 more taken abroad in the view of conscience. This is that ' pouring out of God's name/ spoken of Cant. i. 3. Ointment in the box doth not yield such a fragrancy as when it is poured out, and spices do not give forth their smell till they are chafed. Nothing is more conducible to b…
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^ As they said, 'We have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful kings,' 1 Kinga XX. 31. VeR. 2.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 63 ances from imminent dangers. Then the curse began to seize upon you ; but God snatched you out of the fire like ' brands out of the burning,' Amos iv. 11 ; or like a debtor that escapeth …
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^ ' Etsi non sic vixi ut pudeat inter vos vivere, etc., sed quia bonum dominum habeo.' — Possidius in Vita August. VeR. 2.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 65 unbelief ; as if the Lord had said, If you will not believe all this that is said concerning my mercy, yet your want is great ; that is enough to make you earnest an…
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of all the good which we enjoy. This is to close np the fountain, and to make mercy our enemy ; and if mercy be our enemy, who shall plead for us P If mercy be an accuser, where shall we get an advocate ? But how do we wrong grace ? I answer — Partly by neglecting the offers of it, when you make God speak in vain, 2 Co…
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It is high time now to speak of the second thing prayed for, which is 'peace ; whence observe that peace is a great blessing, one of the main privileges of the gospel. I shall, first. Show you what it is ; secondly. Give you some obser- vations concerning it ; and thirdly, Come to application. 1. What it is. It is a …
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VeR. 2.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 69 to US, and we love and serve him. Only observe, that God beginneth first, though he be the wronged party ; he ' was reconciling.' And mark again, it is ' in Christ ' to show it is sure. Those that are reconciled to men are still in umbrage and suspicion with them ; they that have …
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[6.] In heaven there is a perfect peace ; in the new Jerusalem all is quiet : ' It is just with God to give you that are troubled, avecriv, rest,' 2 Thes. i. 7 ; and ' there is a rest that remaineth for the children of God,' Heb. iv. 9. There we rest both from our sorrows and our labours ; there is no trouble nor affli…
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Use 3. It is caution. If peace be a privilege of the gospel, let us 72 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 2. take care that we settle upon a riglit peace, lest we mistake a judgment for a blessing. It is the greatest judgment that can be, to be given up to our own secure presumptions, and to be lulled asleep with a fal…
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The olrject of love is God himself ; not merely as considered in himself, for so he is terrible to the creature, but as God in Christ, for so he will be known and respected by us in the gospel, and so we have the highest engagement to love him ; not only upon the respects of nature, as our Creator, but of grace, as our…
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VeR. 2.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 75 should see a wise man careful to preserve the relics of what we counted a nej^^lected weed, it would make us think there were some- what in it. We lavish away our love upon trifles, and God prizeth every grain of it. You see he speaketh as if he would not lose one dust of love : '…
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2. Consider the freeness of God's love. The value of all benefits ariseth from the necessity of him that receiveth, and the good-will of him that giveth. God wanted not us, our love is no benefit to him ; but we wanted him, we are undone without him. Yet he hath more delight in pardoning than we in salvation, and he is…
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78 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 2. hath the Lord given us to help to bear burdens ? how many things for meat and medicine ? If man had not been created last, after the world was settled and furnished, we should have seen the want of many things which we now enjoy and do not value. First God pro- vided our house, a…
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But as yet we have spoken but of the casket wherein the jewel lieth. The soul, that divine spark and blast, how quick, nimble, various, and indefatigable in its motions ! how comprehensive in its capacities ! how it animateth the body, and is like God himself, all in every part ! Who can trace the flights of reason ? W…
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VeR, 2.] UrON THE EPISTLE OF JUUE. 81 would not only satisfy his justice, but show his love. It was the Lord's design, by his love, to deserve ours, and so for ever to shame the creature, if they should not now love him. Oh! think much of this glorious instiince, the love of God in giving Christ, and the love of Chris…
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3. Again, he beseecheth. We are cold and backward, therefore he useth entreaty upon entreaty, as if he were impatient of a denial. Out of what rock was man hewn ? God himself cometh a-wooing, and we have the face to give him a repulse ; and what doth he woo for but our hearts, which are his already by every kind of rig…
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^ See Neirembergius Be Ingenio Amoris. " ' Domine, fecisti nos propter te ; et irrequletum est cor nostrum donee perveniat ad te.' — Aag. 84 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 2 make one ? 3'et he had the residue of spirit ; ' the meaninp^ is, that God made but one man for one woman, though he had spirit enough to mak…
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^ ' Eadem velle et nolle, ea demum vera est amicitia. ' — Sallust. 86 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 2. and the love of the world nphvaid you with your love to God, as if you were a fool to stand so nicely upon terms of conscience, &c., when they encroach and allow Christ no room but in the conscience, it is time t…
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2. If we do not grow, we go backward, Heb. vi. ; compare the first with the fourth verse, ' Let us go on to perfection ;' and then presently he treateth of apostasy. We cannot keep that which we have received, if we do not labour to increase it. They that row against the stream had need ply the oar, lest the force of t…
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7. Seeeking the increase and multiplication of spiritual gifts suiteth best with the bounty and munificence of God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have rich grace for us ; and we are most welcome when we seek for most plenty. God the Father is represented as ' rich in ^ See Spaiibeim. Dub. Evaiig., parto 31, Dub. 13…
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3. Growth in grace is always accompanied with growth in know- ledge: 2 Peter iii. 18, ' But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,' &c. Plants that grow out of the sun send up a longer stalk, but the fruit is worse. Some Christians pitch all their care upon the growth of love, and tak…
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[2.] More solid and judicious : Phil. i. 9, ' I pray God your love may abound more and more in all judgment.' There is a childishness in religion as well as nature, 1 Cor. xiii. 11, when we are led altogether by fancy and affection ; but afterward we grow more prudent, sober, and solid. Growth, then, is not to be measu…
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Thirdly, Those that are at a stay had need look to themselves ; stunted trees cumber the ground, and they that go on in a dead, power- less course do hurt rather than good ; lukewarm profession is but the picture of religion, and painted things do not grow, but keep at the same pitch. If a man were a Christian in good …
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VeR. 3.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 95 upon each other when they meet in glory ? It followeth one Lord. We are in the same family, how will you look God in the face if you ' fall a-smiting your fellow-servants ? ' Mat. xxiv. 45. Then one faith. There may he diflerent apprehensions, and every one may ahound in his own s…
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VkK. 3.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 9-7 the toes were mixed of iron and clay, Dan. ii. Love may forbear the profession of some truths — there is a ' having faith to ourselves' — but must not yield to error. (4.) There are some so vile that they will scarce come within the circuit of our Christian respect, such as are t…
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Ohs. 3. That writing is a great help to promote the common salvation. By this means we speak to the absent and to posterity ; and by this means are the oracles of God preserved in public records, which other- wise were in danger of being corrupted, if still left to the uncertainty of verbal tradition. By this means are…
1,052 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.