PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 5
Thomas Manton · 312,097 words · 303 reading sections
Section 61
Obs. That the salvation of the people of God is a common salvation, — not to good and bad ; for it belongeth only to a peculiar people, — but common to all believers : it is common to them in divers regards. 1. They all are chosen by the same gi-ace ; there is no special reason why Paul should obtain mercy rather than…
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^ ' Fides una et eadem, non respectu subjectorum graduum sed respectu objecti finis.' 102 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 3. those that said, ' I am of Christ,' were counted a faction too, 1 Cor. i. 12, as arrogating Christ to themselves ; therefore the apostle writing to them, saith, 1 Cfor. 1, 2, ' To the saints a…
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Obs. 2. Observe again, that ministers must mainly press those doc- trines that are most needful. It is but a cheap zeal that declaimeth against antiquated errors, and things now out of use and practice. We are to consider what the present age needeth. What use was it of in Christ's time to aggravate the rebellion of Ko…
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^ ' Fides est duplex, fides quae creditur, et fides qua creditur.' * ' Aliquid tibi traditum, non a te inventum ; aliqiiid quod accepisti, non exagitasti,' &c. — Vincentius Lyrinensis VeR. 3.J UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 105 hear more shall be given.' According unto the measure of our hear- ing, if the Lord will work,…
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Obs. 1. The mercy of God in delivering this faith to chosen men, that by their means the world might come to the knowledge of it. The doctrine of salvation first came out from God, and then was con- veyed to us by the hands of holy men. We are not sensible enough of the privilege, Ps. cxlvii. 19, 20, ' He showeth his w…
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108 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 3. at hand, as a public standard for the trial of all doctrines. God himself wrote the first scripture with his own finger upon tables of stone, Exod. xxiv. 12, and he commanded Moses and the prophets to do the same, Exod. xvii. 14, and xxxiv. 27; which dispensation of word and wri…
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6. That it is given to us in our persons in particular in the power and efficacy of it. It is offered to the nation, but bestowed upon us : John xiv. 22, ' How is it that thou wilt reveal thyself to us, and not unto the world ? ' Others have only truth presented to them obiter, by the by, for your sakes ; but you are '…
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2. The next office of the church is to preserve the truth, and trans- mit it pure to the next age. As the law was kept in the ark, so was truth delivered to the church to be kept : 1 Tim. i. 11, ' The glorious gospel committed to my trust.' There is a trust lieth upon us ; upon the apostles first to publish the whole c…
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112 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 3. scriptures ; tliey fancy the time of the law to be the days of the Father, the time of the gospel to be the days of the Son, and the latter end of the world to be sceculum Spiriius Sancti (as the Weigelians phrase it), the age of the Holy Ghost; but foolishly, for these are ' th…
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I come now to the main observation that is to be drawn from these words. Doct. That it is the duty of Christians in times of error and seduce- ment to contend earnestly for the faith once given to the saints. It is their duty at all times, but then especially — (1.) That we may not discredit ourselves and the truth. (…
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in the heart of one man to revive them again the next day. Certainly- whatever is suggested from without doth very well suit with the carnal thoughts that are in our own bosoms. Look upon any error or blasphemy that is broached in the world, and you will find it true. Is atheism vented ? 'The fool hath said in his hear…
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Use. It presseth us to this earnestness of contention and zeal for the truths of God. We live in a frozen age, and cursed indifferency hath done a great deal of mischief. Christians ! is error grown less dangerous, or the truth of religion more doubtful ? Is there nothing certain and worth contention, or are we afraid …
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All this is not spoken to justify undue rigours, such as are without any temper of Christian moderation, or those frivolous controversies about trifles, such as have no foundation in the word ; as about the observance of Easter between the eastern and western churches, which difference grew so high that they excommunic…
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^ There are divers other fundamentals of the highest nature, as the mystery of the Trinity, into which we are baptized, the union of the two natures in the person of Christ, that the scriptures are the word of God, &c. ^ ' Ipsse fceminse sunt nobiscum in eadem confessionis gloria constitutae.' — Cyp. Mart, ' Cum trium…
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Ver. 4. For there are certain men crept in unaioares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation ; ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude having made way into their affections by a salutation, which, according to the wont …
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^ ' Multiplicatis fidei populis fides imminuta est, et crescentibus filiis mater aegrotat, quantum copiae accessit, tantum disciplinse recessit, inaudito genere processus et recessus, crescens simul et decrescens.' — Salvian de Guhernat. ^ ' Ecclesia ex intentione fideles tantum colligit, et si nosset impios et incred…
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1 Faustus Rhegiensis dum captiose videri vellet pugnare contra Pelagianos, compertua fuit Pelagio favens. — Isiodor. ^ See the reverend and learned Dr Usher's Answer to the Jesuit's Challenge. VeR. 4.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 125 * Prove all things.' No man is infallible ; an implicit faith begets but a fond affec…
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VeR. 4.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 127 deuce, in protecting the chnrch, notwithstanding Satan's factors, and the abettors of his cause and kingdom, but also causes the truths that are questioned to shine the more brightly, as being more strongly vin- dicated and asserted, as a torch shineth the brighter when it is wav…
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1. I shall open the nature of it in several propositions. (1.) It is an eternal decree. God's internal acts are the same with his essence, and therefore before all time, as believers are ' elected before all worlds,' Eph. i. 4. So are sinners reprobated ; they are both in time and order before ever the creature was : E…
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2. Let me prove that there is such a decree by scripture, for reason here hath no place. Take here three that are most full : the first is 1 Thes. V. 9, ' God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by Jesus Christ,' which plainly implieth that some are appointed unto wrath. The second is 1 Peter ii. 8,…
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electing of some and passing by of others is not an act of justice, but dominion ; for he doth not act here as a judge, but as a lord ; it is a matter of favour, not of right and wrong. Condemnation of a man for sin, or punishing a man for sin, is an act of justice ; but to have mercy, or not to have mercy, that depend…
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^ ' Except these,' i.e., the sailors. — Ed. VeR. 4.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JTJDE. 133 Paul to them that sailed with him: a decree was passed for their safety, that not a man of them sliould perish ; yet they must abide in the ship. God doth infallibly stir up the elect to the use of means, as well as bring to such an e…
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Thirdly, We are now come to that part of the description, ungodly men, d(je}ieL<i. The word signifieth ivithoid ivorship, and is sometimes applied to heathens and men that live without the knowledge and wort^hip of the true God ; at other times to wicked men, that acknow- ledge the true God, but walk unsuitably to thei…
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ledged as the chiefest good ; and therefore, if we do not know him, often think of him, delight in communion with him, fear to offend him, care to please him, this neglect and contempt of God is ungodliness. Again, God is to he acknowledged as the supreme truth and authority ; and therefore, if we are not moved with hi…
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3. When we do not observe his providence. The blind world sets up an idol called chance, and doth not acknowledge God at the otlier end of causes, as swaying all things by his wisdom and power. (1.) In afilictions. They think they come by chance and ill-luck, 1 Sam. vi. 9, and Isa. xxvi. 1 1 ; as if instruments and sec…
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2. If we do not delight in communion with him, we do not honour him as the chiefest good. Friends love to be often in one another's company, and certainly ' it is good to draw nigh to God,' to preserve an acquaintance between him and us. He hath appointed his ordinances, the word and prayer, which are as it were a dial…
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1. We must receive the counsels of his word with all regard and reverence, for that is to receive it ' as the word of God,' 1 Thes. ii. 13. Heathens received the oracles of their gods, and were much moved ; we can drowsily hear of the great things of salvation, of heaven, and the death of Christ, and the covenant of gr…
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142 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 4. mutual commerce,^ all must be done as in and to the Lord, Eph, v. 22; vi. 1, 5-7. We are to walk in our relations so as God may have honour. In spiritual acts of prayer, praise, and worship, yea, the whole ordination of the spiritual life must be unto God : ' I live unto God,' G…
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4. Ungodliness is the root of all irregular courses. Abraham was afraid of himself in Gerar. Why ? ' The fear of God is not in this place,' Gen. xx. 11. Godliness is the great bulwark of laws and all honest discipline ; subjects are not afraid of princes, nor princes of subjects, where the fear of God prevaileth : ther…
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VeR. 4.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 145 and production as filthy lusts and carnal pleasures. (4.) You have a hint of tlie reason why the apostle writeth ai^ainst them with such a zealous indignation in that word ow ; as if he said, That grace, whose sweetness we have tasted, whose power we have felt ; of that God who h…
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Let us now apply the point. Use 1. It serveth to inform us, in the first place, that carnal men are ill skilled in consequences ; from the very gospel would they draw a liberty to sin, than which from such premises no conclusion can be more strange ; it is well worth the observing to note the different arguings in scr…
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Ohs. 2. The next point, that though grace itself be not pliable to such conclusions, yet wicked men are very apt to abuse it to the countenancing and cherishing of their sins and lusts. You see here the abuse of the doctrine of the gospel was very ancient ; this spirit of error wrought betimes ; the former days were no…
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/ 150 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 4. but within a little while they grow wanton : 1 Sam. iii. 1, ' The word of God was precious in those days, for there was no open vision,' Whilst visions are scarce they are highly prized, but when they are open and public, men begin to grow giddy, cannot be contented with the …
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152 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 4. are called in these days of the gospel ; and so constant prayer is laid aside as a form, whereas God calleth for daily worship in this kind, Mat. vi. 11, and making conscience of hearing the word : a form too low for them that pretend to live immediately upon the Spirit ; wherea…
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[3. J As to your manner of learning, let it be saving, and such as tends to practice. It is not enough to make Christ our teacher by using his word, and looking for the direction of his Spirit, and to make the whole counsel of God our lesson; but also we must learn to a saving purpose, to put off the old man, to put on…
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Obs. 3. The third point is taken from that particle our, ttjv rov 6eov rjfj.a)v. He mentioneth their interest in God to provoke them so much the more to zeal against errors that were so scandalous to his grace. Note that sense of interest in God begets the best zeal for the truths and glory of God. The point consists o…
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clause is to be understood of Christ may be proved by these argu- ments :— (1.) Because the parallel place in Peter, from -w-hence tins seemeth to be taken, maketh mention only of Jesus Christ, where Beo-TTOTT]^, the word of absolute sovereignty, is ascribed to him, deny- ing TOP Seo-iroTTjv, the ' master that bought t…
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The points that might be drawn hence are many ; for a taste take these : — Obs. 1. That Jesus Christ is master and Lord, SeairoriTi koI Kvpio<i, * king of nations,' Jer. x. 7 ; and ' king of saints,' Kev. xv. 3 ; or, as the apostle in one place, ' Head over all things to the church,' Eph. i. 22. He is over all things,…
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(1.) They that will not hear his voice, that slight his calls. He inviteth them and prayeth them that they will look into their hearts, consider their eternal condition, but they quench the Spirit, smother light, resist all these motions ; these will not hear Christ's voice. He entreateth, prayeth, that we will come an…
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Secondly, Get an interest in Christ : Luke i. 47, ' My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.' Interest is the true ground of comfort and rejoicing. What must we do to get this interest? I answer : — 1. Eeject all other Saviours : Acts iv. 12, ' There is salvation in no other.' Nothing could save Noah and his family …
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VOL. V. L 162 AN EXPOSITION, "WITH NOTES, [VeR. 4. God equal to the Father appeareth also by express texts of scripture : Phil, ii, 6, ' He was in the form of God, and thought it no robbery to be equal with God ;' and Col. ii. 9, ' In him dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead bodily.' The saints are ' made partakers of…
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3. It is an invitation to press us to come to Christ, and by Christ to God. The great work of the ministers is like that of Eliezer, Abra- ham's servant, to seek a match for our master's son. Our way to win you is to tell you what he is ; he is God-man in one person ; he is man, that you may not be afraid of him ; God,…
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VeK. 4.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 165 [1.] An empty profession of Christ is not enough ; now Christ is everywhere received, it is easy to profess his name. To be a Christian in heart and conscience was far more easy to them in the primitive times than to be so in name and profession, the powers of the world being aga…
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[4.] Christ may be denied, though there be a stricter profession of his name, and some faint love and relish of his sweetness. Besides the loose national profession of Christianity which God, in a wise provi- VeR. 4] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 167 dence, ordaineth for the greater safety and preservation of his church,…
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Ver. 5. I loill therefore 'put you in remembrance, tliourjli ye once hneio this, Jioio that the Lord, having saved, the people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed, them that believed not. We have done with the preface. I come now to the examples by which the apostle proveth the danger of defection from the …
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170 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 5. bears, but they are posting to hell apace ; tarry but a little while, and God will ' tear them iu pieces, and there shall be none to deliver,' Ps. 1. Korah, Datlian, and Abiram were swallowed up quick. Num. xvi. ; the earth cleaves to receive them that made a cleft in the con- g…
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I come now to the words ; in which you have a preface, and the first instance of God's judgment, which was on the unbelieving Israelites. In the preface you may take notice of his purpose, / will put you in remembrance ; his insinuation, though ye once knoio this. I begin with the first part, his purpose, / loill put …
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have knowledge enoiigli to bring themselves to heaven, but to ' ad- monish others,' see Eom. xv. 14. Well, then, do not put off this care to others, as if it were proper only to scholars and men of a public calling ; this is every man's work that hath a soul to be saved. It is Popish ignorance to be contented with an i…
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you hear nothing but what you are acquainted with, be content ; they were carnal people that complained they had nothing but the ' old burden,' Jer. xxiii. 33, 34. Take heed of the Athenian itch, many times it argueth guilt : we cannot endure to have an old sore rubbed again ; as Peter was troubled when Christ spak…
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Well, then — (1.) It informeth us that there may be danger after deliverance ; there are strange changes in providence : ' Man in his best estate is altogether vanity,' Ps. xxxix. 5. When you are at your best, as the sun at the highest, there may be a declension. (2.) It is a warning to those that enjoy mercies : ' Si…
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[3.] It is the mother of all sin.^ The first sin was the fruit of unbelief. We may plainly observe a faltering of assent, Gen. iii. 3-.5 ; and still it is the ground of all miscarriages, of hardness of heart, and apostasy, Heb. iii. 12, 13. He that believetli not the judgments and threatenings of the word will not stic…
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YeR. 5.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 179 a virgin, and died at Jerusalem, ' Bearing our sins in his body upon a tree, that we, being dead unto sin, might be alive unto righteousness,' 1 Peter ii. 24. The true Christ is one that ' gave himself for us, that he might purify us to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works…
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Thus much for the heinousness of unbelief in the general. Secondly, Let me tell you that all unbelief is not alike heinous, as will appear by these considerations. [1.] Total reigning unbelief is a black mark ; such as lie under it are in the high way to hell : John iii. 18, ' He that believeth not is condemned alread…
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[5.] Where unbelief is expressed and put into words, there it is more heinous. Unbelieving thoughts are a great evil, but when they ^ Despaigiie on the Creed. 182 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 5. break out into murmurings and bold expostulations, with or against God, then they are worse. It is better to keep the …
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This unbelief is again twofold — (1.) Reigning ; (2.) In part broken, though not wholly subdued. [1st.] Reigning unbelief is in all natural men, who are not only guilty of unbelief, but described by the term unbelievers, as being persons never thoroughly gained to the obedience of the gospel, or the acceptance of Chri…
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Ver. 5.] TjroN THE epistle of jude. 185 use. So in unbelief many doubt of the truth of the word, others acknowledge not the worth of it, they do not ' glorify the word,' Acts xiii. 48; most that speak well of the word, and approve it in their consciences, do not urge their own hearts with it : ' What do Ave say to the…
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YeR. 5.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 187 unjust gain. This, for a fit and in some distemper, may be incident to God's children. 3. The last thing in the method proposed is the cure of unbelief. God by his mighty power can only cure it, Eph. i. 19 ; but the means which we must use may be reduced to two heads — 1. Cautio…
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VeR. 6.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 189 bring present death, who would he so foolhardy as to meddle with it? Nay, when a thing is hut likely to do us hurt, as some meats in case of the cholic, gout, or stone, how cautious are we? To conclude all, let me give you Chrysostom's supposition ; for besides unbelief, there is…
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1. What was this dp')(T], or first estate. 2. What was their sin, or how they departed from it. 3. How they came to sin. 4. The number of them that fell. 5. The time. 1. I do confess the scriptures do speak somewhat sparingly of the nature or fall of angels, it being calculated chiefly for the use of man ; but som…
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^ Gregory, Austin, Damascene, &;c. 192 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 6. my throne above the stars of God, I will be like the Most High.' But these are but metaphorical passages concerning the king of Babj'lon, and the ground of the mistake was because the angels are often in scripture set forth by stars, as Job xx…
943 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.