PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 5
Thomas Manton · 312,097 words · 303 reading sections
Section 121
5. For the time. In the general, very soon. Therefore it is said, John viii. 44, that ' Satan was a murderer from the beginning ; ' and 1 John iii. 8, ' The devil sinneth from th'e beginning ; ' that is, presently after his creation ; created these angels were. It was the error of Valeutius and Basilides, in the age ne…
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1 2 Tim. ii. 1, ' My son, be strong in the grace that is iu Christ Jesus.' Vek. 6.j UrON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 195 dishonour,' ' who art thou that re])liest upon God,' dvTa7TOKpivufxevo<; ? Eom. ix. 20, that will be disputing the sovereignty of God, and ask the reason why he giveth grace to some and not to others ? Wo…
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We are now come to the phrases that imply their punishment, and that we made to be twofold — present and future. The first part of the present punishment is 2>(ena damni, their loss, implied in that clause, leaving their own habitation, in wdiich their guilt is further intimated ; for the apostle here maketh it to be t…
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198 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 6. love and serve God, there are notliing but obstinate purposes to do evil, and endeavours to hinder the glory of God and the good of man, 1 Peter v. 8, lest we should enjoy that happiness which he hath left. Hence those titles given them in scripture, as devil, Rev. xii. 9, which…
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2. Sin depriveth us of God's presence ; this is the wall of separa- tion between us and God : Isa. lix. 2, ' Your sins have separated,' &c. It not only provoketh God to stand at a distance from us, but worketh a strangeness in us, and maketh us shy of his presence ; it cast the angels out of heaven, Adam out of Paradis…
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8. They were cast from heaven into this world. Do but look upon the world in a right notion. Satan, that was not fit for heaven, is cast out into the earth, as a meet place for misery and torment ; he is called ' The ruler of the darkness of this world,' Eph. vi. 12, and * The god of this world,' 2 Cor. iv. 4. It is pu…
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[2.] Their obstinacy in sinning. They are fallen so as they cannot rise again, they are called ' wickednesses,' Eph. vi. 12, as sinning with much malice and obstinacy ; as if you should say luickedness itself. The devil's sin is as ' the sin against the Holy Ghost ; ' a malicious, ob- stinate, spiteful opposition again…
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3. The devil is in chains, a cruel spirit, but under bonds. His power is less than his will and malice ; he is wrathful that we may not be secure ; he is chained that we may not despair ; he hath no power but what is given him from above ; and when God putteth any of his servants into Satan's hands he keepeth Satan in …
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6, There is little reason that we should adore him whom God holdeth in chains of darkness, that we should exalt him whom the Lord hath cast down, and make a god of him who hath made himself a devil. All sins do, as it were, set the crown upon Satan's head ; these especially — (1.) False worship : Satan is the head of i…
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VeR. 6.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 207 and therefore ' depart from me ' is apprehended as a misery, as well as ' go into everlasting torments/ Add further to their darkness that despair that is upon them, and fearful looking for of the fiery indigna- tion of the Lord, which desperate sorrow is expressed by * utter dar…
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Ohs. 5. The darkness of sin is punished with the darkness of misery The light whereby we are directed and perfected is the same ; the state of grace is a ' marvellous light,' 1 Peter ii. 9, and the state of glory ' the inheritance of the saints in light,' Col. i. 12. So sin is but darkness begun. Hell is called 'utter …
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1 Qu. ' clear ' ?— Ed. VOL. V. O 210 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 6. of Christ, and of the good angels and the saints. After this they shall be adjudged to horrible torments. Hell is their freehold and portion, ' prepared for the devil and his angels,' Mat. xxv. 41. The quality and nature of their torment we cann…
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212 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [YeR. 6 See Mat. xix. 27, 28, ev TraXiyyeveaia, ' In the regeneration ye shall sit with me on thrones of glory,' &c. ; that is, at the day of judgment, which is the great regeneration. When heavens are new, earth new, bodies new, souls new, all is new, then we shall be no losers by Chris…
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2. Let us consider the day itself, and the great things done therein. It is a day of congregation of all mankind ; there Adam may see all his posterity at once ; but especially is it a day of congregation in respect of the saints, who are now scattered in divers countries, towns, houses, where God hath any work and ser…
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VeR. 6.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDK. 215 ter the tree appeareth not what it is, the sap and life is hidden in the root, but when summer cometh all is discovered : so now it doth not appear who are God's, nor what they shall be, but at this day all is manifest. ' When Christ shall appear, we shall appear with him in glor…
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[3.] The next consequence is the burning of the world, which is set forth at large in 2 Peter iii., per totum. The passages there are literally to be taken, for the fire there spoken of is compared with ' the waters of ISToah,' which was a judgment really executed ; and by this fire, it is probable, the world will not …
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218 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 6. perfect holiness and perfect freedom. We never find Christ a Saviour to the uttermost .till then ; to the glorified spirits he is but a Saviour in part, some fruit of sin is continued upon the body ; but then body and soul are united and perfectly glorified to enjoy God in heave…
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Ver. 7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. In this verse is the third example, fitly suited to the former : the angels had the blessings of he…
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Ohs. 1. Cities and countries suffer for the evil of the inhabitants, as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities round about them were consumed with fire and brimstone, and turned into a dead lake. Original sin brought on an original curse ; Adam's fall a curse upon the whole earth : Gen. iii. 17, ' Cursed is the ground for t…
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^ ' N on ego sum ambitiosus, sed nemo aliter Romse vivere potest,' &c. VeR. 7.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 223 may be too hard for men. Well, then, learn to live by rule and not by example, and propose the sins of others to your grief, not imitation : * Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rep…
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Ohs. 6. Again, from the other sin, and going after strange flesh, observe, sin is never at a stay ; first, imcleanness, and then given over to uncleanness, and then strange flesh. When a stone runneth down hill it stayeth not till it cometh to the bottom ; a filthy sinner is grow- ing more filthy still, until he hath o…
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Ohs. 8. There is one note more, and that is from that clause, are set forth for cm example. Observe thence, that Sodom's destruction is the world's great example. Both Peter and Jude show that this was the end of God's judgments upon Sodom, that they might be ' an example to all that live ungodly.' You will say, What …
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^ ' Misericordia mea suadet ut parcam, peccatorum clamor cogit ut puniam.' — Salvianus. 2 'Doiniuus Christusa Domino Patre.' — Council. Syrm, 228 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 7. his authority, but rather connive at and tolerate the wickedness of this people, yea, rather approve and partalie with them in their abo…
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Thus God delighteth to make those that have been examples to others in sinning, examples to them in punishment. Ver. 8. Likeivise also these filthy dreamers defile the fiesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. In this verse you have the apodosis of the former instance : likewise is the adverb that impliet…
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Obs. 1. From thatJUthi/ dreamers ; note, that the erroneous thoughts of wicked men are but a dream. It is but friai-like to follow an illu- sion too far ; only a little for illustration. Wicked men are dreamers — (1.) In regard of their state and condition, every carnal man is in a state of a ' deep sleep,' Isa. xxix. …
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2. There are dreams in point of hope; and so — (1.) Some wholly mistake in the object, and dream of an eternal happiness in temporal enjoyments, Ps. xlix. 11 ; so Luke xii. 19, Rev. xviii. 9. (2.) Others dream of attaining the end without using the means ; they live in sin, and yet hope to die comfortably, and go to he…
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Ohs. 5. Prom that despise dominion. Observe that errors, espe- cially such as tend to sensuality, make men unruly and anti-magistra- tical. Dreamers that do ' defile themselves,^ do also ' despise dominion.' Now this Cometh to pass, partly from the permission of God's wise and just providence, who suffiereth such misca…
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^ ' niDs 5e avdpwTTov i/xiWov ^eiSeaOai oi ttjs debr-qros /J-rj (peKrafxevoi.' — Nazian. Orat. xs.v. 236 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [YeR. 8. understanding, but untamedness of affection. We love to break through all bonds and restraints, as if ' none were lord over us,' Ps. xii. 3. Use 2. It informeth us what will be…
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First, Remove the prejudices. The first is taken from the fathers, or primitive Christians, who almost generally express themselves against planting religion by the sword and compulsive force.l Defendenda est religio non occidendo sed monendo, non scevitia sed patientia, so Lactan- tius, and suitably others. I answer —…
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Ver. S.] upon the epistle of jude. 239 censure, Titus iii. 10 ; and the censure of the magistrate should not precede that of the church. (2.) In things indifferent, Christian toleration and forbearance takes place ; all men never were, nor ever will be, in this world, of one and the same opinion, no more than of the s…
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Ver. 9. Yet 3Iic7iael the archangel, lolien contending icith the devil {lie disputed about the body of Moses), durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said. The Lord rebulce thee. The apostle had charged the seducers, against whom he wrote, with opposition of magistracy, and contemptuous speaking against…
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Quest. 3. The next question is, who is meant by Michael the arch- angel ? Ans. Michael is the name of his person, and archangel of his office. Michael signifieth he is strong God., or who is lilce the strong God, and therefore some apply it to Jesus Christ, who in many places of scripture is set forth as ' head of ang…
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Again, to take down pride, look to others whom God hath set higher, and yet are more humble, as usually the higher the sun the less shadows it casteth. Usually God's children carry a low mind in a high condition, James i. 10 ; they are rich, yet ' made low,' that is, ' lowly.' If, in the fulness of riches, honours, par…
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Ohs. 3. Observe again, that angels have a care not only of the souls, but of thejbodies, yea, even of the dead bodies, of the saints, as Michael disputed with the devil about ' the body of Moses.' That you may understand the particular care which the angels have about the people of God, I shall open it to you in severa…
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248 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [YeR. 9. the place. Some understand it appellatively, it is his angel, or mes- senger, sent by him out of prison. i But Rhoda heard Peter's voice, and that was the ground of the sayings. Others understand it of some angel come to give notice of his death ; but that is groundless. Lastly,…
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9. This tutelage is ever administered according to God's pleasure : Ps. ciii. 21, ' Ye ministers of his that do his pleasure ;' not their own, not ours, but his pleasure. The help of angels is more powerful, but no more absolute, than the help of other means, for it dependeth still on the will of God, as all other mean…
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3. To observe this when it is bestowed upon us : ' The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him ;' and then, ' Oh ! come, taste and see,' Ps. xxxiv. 7, 8. When deliverances are strange and wonderful, and there is the least concurrence of visible causes to defend Christ's interest, remember that ' all …
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Use \. Well, then, it showeth us: — 1. What care we should take to be right in worship, both for the object and manner. It is idolatry not only to worship false gods in the place of the true God, but to worship the true God in a false manner, and both sorts do gratify the devil. When he cannot hold the people under ut…
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Use 1. First, Itshowethus the first rise of idolatry, respect to the relics and remains of some men famous in their generations. Satan attempted it betimes, not only among the heathens, but among the people of God ; he contended for the body of Moses, that he might set it up for this use ; but that which he could not o…
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2. God's love and mercy ; that should beget a fear, or an un- willingness to displease God : Hosea iii. 5, ' They shall fear the Lord and his goodness ;' not only abstain from sin (as a dog from the bait, for fear of a cudgel) out of bondage or servile fear, but out of a holy, childlike affection to God, and so do not …
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tlse 1. Let us apply it now. First, It serveth to humble us. We are the next rank of reasonable creatures, but how do we diflt'er from them? Their natures engage them to holiness, and ours, being corrupted, engage us to sin ; their nature will not permit them to sin, and our nature will not permit us to do that which …
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Thirdly, It teacheth us to be more awe-full ; all fear is not slavish. The angels, that have a pure nature, are afraid to sin ; we have a mixed nature : corruption is already gotten into our souls, and therefore have more need of caution ; as they that have an enemy without and a treach- erous party within have need to…
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highest judicatory, from whence there was no appeal, as there might be from the lower courts to this. Into this assembly were chosen such as did excel others for nobility and wisdom, and that by a solemn lay- ing on of hands ; strangers or unclean persons or common people might not come nigh unto them. To this tribunal…
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But shall I suffer myself, and in me the cause of Christ, to be trampled upon ? Ans. You are allowed a modest vindication of the truth and your own innocency : Prov. xxvi. 4, 5, ' Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit' …
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3. For the manner. With our zeal we should still manifest love and compassion ; and our way of dealing must rather be rational than passionate. There is a holy contemperation of zeal and meekness if we could hit upon it ; the same Spirit that appeared in cloven tongues of fire appeared also in the form of a dove. ' The…
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^ ' Zi'j'i^i'as.' — Vide Irenceum. YeR. 10.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. ^65 referred ? if to the former part, tliiis, what they know naturally as brute beasts, then the sense will be that knowledge which they have in common with the beasts. Man is in part an angel, in part a beast ; in his reason and upper part of the…
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Obs. 2. Observe again, blockish and stupid men are most bold in reproacliing. A fool's wrath falleth very heavy, because it falleth with all its weight, there being nothing to restrain and stop it : Prov. xxvii. 3, ' A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.' When the mind is …
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268 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 11. Ohs. 6. Again observe, it is a sign of a man turned beast to follow the passions and lusts of corrupt nature. Why ? For then the govern- ment of reason is renounced, and all is yielded up into the hands of lust aud appetite. In men reason should have the chief governance, and e…
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Ohs. 1. That the practice of wicked men now, and the practice of wicked men from the beginning is still the same. Cain's club, as Bucholcer speaketh, is still carried about in the world, stained witli the blood of Abel ;- see Gal. iv. 29, ' But as then, he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born afte…
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Ohs. 1. That the devil enticeth his slaves to divers sins; as to the malice of Cain, so to the covetousness of Balaam. Ohs. 2. That men are usually carried into errors by the bait of gain and worldly profit : 2 Peter ii. 3, ' Through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you ; ' that which is …
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YeR. 12.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JL'DE. 273 Obs. 4. Again, observe, schisms and factions in the church bring destruction in the end. Those that made a cleft in the congregation, the earth cleaved to swallow them up. Christ saith, ' Woe be to that man by whom oftences come/ Mat. xviii. 7. It is sad to take otieuce, but wo…
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Obs. Observe hence, that sensual persons are the spots of a Chris- tian society. They are not only filthy in themselves, but bring a dis- honour upon the whole church whereof they are members : Heb. xii. 15, ' Take heed lest any root of bitterness spring up amongst you, whereby many may be defiled.' Now what that root …
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276 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [YeR. 12. we do not always suffer persecution, but we should still have a weaned heart in the fullest estate that doth befall us. Certainly maintenance would be more cheerfully given if well used. Feeding themselves loithout fear, iroiiialvovTe'; eavrov'?, feeding themselves as a shephe…
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You may expound it, ' without fear of the snare in the creatures.' Whence observe : — Obs. In the use of pleasures and outward comforts there should be much caution. When Job's sons feasted, he falleth to sacrifice, ' lest they should have sinned against God,' Job i. 5. It is good to be jealous of ourselves with a hol…
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^ Qu. ' not edification ' ? — Ed. VeR. 12.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JDDE. 279 first ; they promise you ' hidden manna,' rare discoveries of Christ ; but is your heart the better ? Two things they never do, which may be explained by two properties of rain, namely, refreshing the earth, and making it fruitful. 1. Refreshi…
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1. Ways. Men do not easily teach point-blank contrary to their manners : surely the devil would not assist to bring holiness in fashion, and promote Christian practice. Observe the fruits and evils both of their lives and doctrines : in two cases it is a sure note : — (1.) When there is a fair compliance between princi…
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The next evil property, taken from trees and applied to men, is SI? airodavovTa, tivice dead. If you apply this to the trees, they may be twice dead, either in regard of fruit, as a barren thing is said to be dead, as ' the deadness of Sarah's womb,' Eom. iv. 19 ; or, in regard of sub- stance, rotten and like doaty tre…
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Ver. 13. Raging leaves of the sea, foaming out their shame ; ivan- dering stars, to ichom is reserved the blachness of darkness for ever. Here are two other comparisons, the one taken from ' raging waves,' the other from ' wandering stars.' For the first, raging ivaves of the sea, foaming out their oicn shame, there i…
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Obs. Usually wicked men are of an unquiet spirit, restless in evil. They are acted by Satan, who is a restless spirit, and there is a great correspondency between their activeness in sin and the importunity of Satan's malice : 1 Peter v. 8, ' He goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.' Now you shal…
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* wandering stars,' which are of a fiery nature. A fruitful fancy can make use of all the world, and a willing mind cannot want objects of meditation. But let us come to observe something from this similitude. Ohs. The guides of the Lord's people should be stars, but not wan- dering, gliding stars. These seducers pret…
1,051 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.