PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 6
Thomas Manton · 319,442 words · 323 reading sections
Section 1
?rW' 3MAS HAIS.t«, SoHO Square, LONDON. 1 ^ PRINCETON, N. J. '^' j i i 1 i Shelf.. . bx ayi:? .mj i«/u v.b ^ Manton, Thomas, 1620-1677. The complete works of Thomas Manton ! ♦ ., THE WORKS OF THOMAS MANTON, D.D. VOL. VI. COUNCIL OF PUBLICATION. W. LINDSAY ALEXANDER, D.D., Professor of Theology, Congregat…
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„ XXXV. " I will run the way of thy command- ments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart," ver. 32, . . , 332 „ XXXVI. "Teach me, 0 Lord, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end," ver. 33, . . . 339 „ XXXVII. " Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law ; ye-a, I shall observe it with my whole he…
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The manner of handling is not inferior to the dignity of the matter ; so plain as to accommodate the most sublime truths to the meanest spiritual capacity, and yet so elevated as to approve itself to the most refined understanding. He knew how to be succinct without obscurity, and where the weight of the argument requi…
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In the words you have — 1. The privilege, blessed. 2. The manner and form of its consideration ; not so much in the nature and formality of it, as the way that leadeth to it. Or, First, Here is a uxiy spoken of in the general. Secondly, This way specified, the law of the Lord. Thirdly, The qualification of the per…
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3. Our mistakes about it will cost us dear. God is very jealous of what we make our happiness, and therefore blasteth the carnal choice. Those that will try experiments, smart for it in the issue. Solomon came home by weeping-cross : Eccles. i. 14, ' I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, al…
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VeK. 1.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. f) pleasure without remorse ; easy to prove the uncertainty of riches, and what unstable foutidations they are for the soul to rest on ; but to draw off the heart from these things to God is the work of the Holy Ghost : Ps. xlix. 13, ' This their way is their folly, yet their posterit…
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' Walking after their own lusts,' is the description of those that were monsters of men, that had outgrown all feelings of conscience. The laws of men are not our rule. It is too narrow and short to com- mend us to God, to be punctual to the laws of men and no more: Ps. xix. 7, ' The law of God is perfect, converting t…
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12 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. I. his constant exercise, ' to avoid all offence both towards God and man,' Acts xxiv. 16, and is cautious and watchful lest he should be defiled ; when he is humbled more for his pollutions ; when he is always purg- ing his heart, and doth endeavour, and that with success, to walk in…
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[2.] Take the Spirit of God for your guide. We can never walk in God's way without the conduct of God's Spirit. We must not only have a way, but a voice to direct us when we are wandering : Isa. XXX. 21, ' And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying. This is the way, walk in it.' Sheep have a shepherd as well …
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6. He hath a great deal of peace : Gal. vi. 16, 'And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.' Obedience and holy walking bringeth peace : ' Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them/ Ps. cxix. 165 ; as there is peace in nature when a…
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[2.] Another advantage we have by this notion is the certainty of the word; it is God's testimony. The apostle saith, 1 John v. 9, 'If we take the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater.' It is but reason we should allow God that value and esteem that we give to the testimony of men, who are fallible and dec…
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it is good to see what the word doth witness or testify ; doth it testify good or evil ? for accordingly shall we be treated with in the day of jud»^ment. It is sad when we can only say of the scripture, as that king of the prophet of the Lord, ' He witnesseth nothing but evil against me,' 1 Kings xxii. 8. Let us see w…
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[2.] We are to observe it in practice : Luke xi. 28, ' Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it ; ' that is, not only that hear it, but do it. Many have this word in their mind and memory, but not in their lives. AVithout this, hearing is nothing ; liking, knowing, assent, pretended affectio…
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The next now is : — 2. They seek Mm with the whole heart. This is fitly subjoined to the former for a double reason ; partly, because the end of God's testimonies is to direct us how to seek after God, to bring home the wandering creature to its centre and place of VeR% 2.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 21 rest; partly,…
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[2.] Again, it is exercised in the u.se of the ordinances, as the word and prayer. God will be sought in his own ordinances. Christ walks in the midst of the golden candlesticks. If you would find a man, mind where is his walk and usual resort. AVhen Christ was lost, his parents sought him in the temple ; there they fo…
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but for this end were we sent into the world, to seek God, Nature is sensible of it in part by the dissatisfaction it finds in other things ; and therefore the apostle describes the Gentiles to be groping and feeling about for God, Acts xvii. 27. God is tlie cause of all things, and nature cannot be satisfied without h…
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6. This is the reason of affliction : we are so backward in this work that we need to be whipped unto it: Hosea v. 15, ' I will go and return to my place, saith God, till they acknowledge their offence and seek my face.' God knows that want is a spur to a lazy creature ; and therefore doth God break in upon men, and sc…
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[1.] The extension of parts; with the understanding, will, and affec- tions. Some seek God with a pi^ce of their hearts, to explain it either in the work of faith or love. In the work of faith ; as Acts viii. 87, ' If thou believest with all thine heart.' There is a believing with a piece, and a believing with all the …
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2. The reasons why God will be sought with the whole heart are — [1.] He that gives but part to God doth indeed give nothing. The devil keeps an interest as long as one lust remains unmortified, and one corner of the soul is kept for him. As Pharaoh stood bucking, — he would ftiin have some pawn of their return ; eithe…
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30 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR, IV. and rejoicing in God. When they shall hear this is the character of a blessed man, ' they do no iniquity,' they are very apt to conclude against their own regeneration, because of their daily failings. To avoid these difficulties, I shall inquire — 1. What it is to do iniquity. …
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Well, then, the point is this: — Doct. 1. They that are and shall be blessed are such as make it their business to avoid all sin. I may illustrate it by these reasons : — • 1. Surely they shall be blessed, for they take care to remove the makebate, the wall of partition between God and them. It is sin which separate…
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4. They may now and then fall foully ; as Noah by excess of drink, VeR. 3.] SEUMONS TIPON' PSALM CXIX. 33 Lot's incest, David's adultery, Peter's denial. Failings and infirmi- ties they are not determined either by the smallness or by the great- ness of the act, but by other concomitant circumstances. Not by the 5;ma…
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6. Grace discovers itself by the constant endeavours which they make against sin. What is the constant course a Christian takes ? They groan under the relics of sin ; it is their burden that they have such an evil nature, Kom. vii. 24. They fly to God's grace in Christ for daily pardon, 1 John i. 9. They are ever washi…
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36 SERMONS UPON TSALM CXIX. [SeR. VI. the flesh, to prevent the actings of sin. ' If ye through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live,' Eom. viii. 13 ; therefore YOU go about to make void his personal operation. Thus it is a wrong to God. 2. By an argument drawn from ourselves ; it is very unsuitabl…
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The second note is, they icalk in his loays. This is the positive part ; not only avoiding of sin, but practice of holiness, is implied. Observe — Doct. 2. It is not enough only to avoid evil, but we must do good. ' They do no iniquity ; ' then ' they walk in his ways.' Why ? 1. The law of God is positive as well as…
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Veil 4.] sermons upon psalm cxix. 39 In the words take notice of two things — 1. The fundamental ground and reason of our obedience, which is God's command or will declared in his word. 2. The manner of this obedience. God will not be put off with any- thing, but served with the greatest diligence and exactness, ' t…
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[3.] Here is the nature of this obedience, or the thing commanded, to keep thy -precepts. What is that ? — to observe the whole rule of faith and manners. Believing in Christ, that fixlls under a command : 1 John iii. 23, ' This is his command, that we should believe in him whom he hath sent.' Kepentance is under a com…
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5. Obedience is never right but when it is done out of a conscience of God's authority, intuitu voluntatis. The bare sight of God's will should be reason enough to a gracious heart. It is the will of God ; it is his command, So it is often urged : 1 Thes. iv. 3, the apostle bids them follow holiness, ' for this is the …
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4-1 SErvMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeFv. V. to them. Indeed, we think it a small matter to stand upon every circumstance ; but God doth not think so. Uzzah was struck dead in the place for failing in a circumstance — he would stay the ark, which shook. The Bethshemites, sinning in a circumstance, it cost them the lives of…
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4. It is a dishonour to God to do his work negligently : Mai. i. 14, ' Cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and vowetli and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing, for I am a great king, saith the Lord ;' implying that it is a lessening of his majesty. It is a sign we have cheap thoughts of God, w…
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SERMON VI. Oil that my luays loere directed to keep thy statutes ! — Ver. 5. In the former verse he had spoken of God's authority ; now he beg- geth grace to obey : ' Thou hast commanded ;' and ' Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes ! ' VeR. 5.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 47 1. Note, that it is the use …
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Use. It teacheth us what to do when we meet with anything that is difficult and impossible to us ; as to repent, believe, to renounce a bewitching lust, or perform a sjjiritual duty. Two ways we are apt to miscarry in such a case ; either by murmuring against God, as if he were harsh and austere, and had ' reaped where…
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[3.] Out of experience of the ways of God, of that goodness and enlargement of heart that is to be found in them. They have tasted and seen how good his laws are. They can answer God's a])peal, ' Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly ? ' Yea, doubt- less, it is good : Ps. xix. 10, 11, ' The judgments of…
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(4.) Such desires as are constant, and not easily controlled by other desires. Idle, lazy wishes, ineffectual glances, sudden motions, while their hearts are detained in the speculation of holiness, are like chil- dren's desires, soon put out of the humour. There may be vehement and sudden lustings in an unregenerated …
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(2.) The forgetfulness of our memories. We need a monitor to stir up in us diligence, watchfulness, and earnest endeavours : Isa. xxx. 21, 'And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying, Thi.s is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.' The cares and businesses of the…
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[2.] Commandments that require public, and commandments that require private duties: 2 Cor. vii. 1, ' Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.' In times of trouble men content themselves that their hear…
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5Q SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SePw. VII. dandle it, and have a regard to it, he is one whom Grod \Yill not ac- cept. His desire is not to offend God, and it is his trouble when cor- ruption gets the start of grace. If a king warneth a city of traitors, and calleth upon them to search them out, and send them away, and t…
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Use 1. It reproveth those that make one duty excuse another. Two sorts there are, — some that go from sins to duties, and others from duties to sins, that antedate or postdate indulgences. (1.) Those that antedate, that hope to make amends for their evil course by their duties, as when men allow themselves in a present…
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This shame may be considered either with respect to their own hearts, or the world, or before God at the day of judgment. Yer. 6.] SERMONS upox PSAL:\r cxix. 59 1. With respect to tlieir own hearts ; and thus the upright and sincere shall not be ashamed. There is a generous confidence be- wrayed in duties, in trouble…
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Use. It informetli us, by the rule of contraiies, that we deceive ourselves if we look for anything from sin but shame : Rom. vi. 21, " For the wages of sin is death.' Sin and shame entered into the world together. How were Adam and Eve confounded after the fall ! Sin is odious to God, it grieveth the Spirit ; but the …
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[2.] As tiie word judge th and passe tli sentence upon our states, so also upon our actions, thought, word, or deed ; for all these in this regard come under the notion of acts. (1.) Thoughts. They are liable to God's tribunal, which can be arraigned before no other bar, yet the word doth find them out. It doth not on…
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"Well, then, upon these grounds you see the execution is not only judgment, but the very law is judgment. A man that is to be examined and tried for life and death would fain know how it would speed with him, and how matters shall be carried beforehand. God will not deal with you by way of surprise ; he bath plainly to…
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2. Do you manifest the word to be righteousness : ' Wisdom should be justified of her children,' Mat. xi. 19. You should evidence it to the carnal world by taking ofi" their prejudices, that the word may be justified. The world hath a suspicion; now evidence it to the conscience that it is a holy rule, a perfect direct…
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VeK. 7.] SERMONS UPON rSALI\I cxix. 67 true learners. Therefore it will not fit our turn unless we labour to come under the power of what we learn, as well as get the knowledge ; and it will not suit with the dignity of our teacher, who doth not only enlighten the mind, but change us by his efficacy, and leaves a suit…
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Use. Well, then, the use is to reprove us that we are no more sensible of spiritual benefits. We love the body more than the soul, and therefore have a quick sense of bodily mercies. But now, in soul concernments we are not the like affected. It is for want of observation to descry the progress of grace, and God's deal…
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1. Not only with the tongue, but with the heart: Ps. ciii. 1, ' Praise the Lord, 0 my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name.' Mark, not only with my tongue, ' with my glory,' as he calls it, but with my soul. Formal speeches are but an empty prattle, Avhich God regards not : Ps. xlvii. 7, ' Sing ye praise…
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3. Not as if the obligation to obedience did arise from our own pur- pose and promise, rather than from God's command ; this were to set man's authority above God's, and to lay aside the precept, which is the surer bond and obligation, and to bind the soul with the slender thread of our own resolutions. When we purpose…
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Use. The first use is to press us to come to a declared resolution to serve and please God, and to direct us in what manner. First, Make it with a full bent of heart. Rest not upon a SJwll I? shall I? but ' I luill keep thy statutes.' As Agrippa was almost per- suaded to be a Christian, but not altogether, so men stan…
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VeR. 8.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 75 warm upon the heart, we may keep close to our work while the in- fluence continues ; but afterward, how cold and dead do men grow ! as vapours drawn up by the sun, at night fall down again in a dew. The people were upon a high point of willingness, mighty forward, and ready to offe…
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[3.] When you go forth to any work or conflict, without an actual renewing of your dependence upon God. It is a sign you lean upon the strength of your own resolutions, or present frame of your heart. The Ephraimites took it ill that Gideon would go to war, and not call them into the field when they went out against th…
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78 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SePv. IX. 2 Cor. i. 5, ' As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consola- tion also aboundeth by Christ.' Cordials are for a fainting time. When children are sick and weakly, we treat them with the more indulgence. God may return, and may never less forsake us inwardly than when h…
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5. Desertion is either felt or not felt. Not felt, and then it is more dangerous, and usually ends in some notable fall ; as Hezekiah, 2 Cliron. xxxii. 31. God left him, and he was not sensible, and then he runs into pride and vainglory, and draweth wrath upon him and his people. God's children, when they do not observ…
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6. To prevent evil to come, especially pride, that we might not be lifted up ; and to entender our hearts to others : 2 Cor, i. 4, ' That we YeR. 8.] SERMONS UPON PSAL3I CXIX. 81 might comfort others with tho comforts wherewith we were comforted of God/ Use 1. This informs us that we are not therefore cast out of th…
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SERMON X. WJiereivitJi sJiall a young man cleanse Ms icay ? By idking heed thereto according to thy icord. — Ver. 9. In the former part the Psalmist showeth that the word of God pointeth out the only true way to blessedness. Kow, the main thing which the word enforceth is holiness. This is the way which we must take …
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S4 SEEMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. X. But why is the J'oung man only specified ? I answer — All men are concerned in this work. Old men are not left to themselves, nor wholly given over as hopeless; but youth need it most, being inclined to liberty and carnal pleasures, and most apt to be led aside from the right way …
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(2.) The word is considerable as an instrument which God maketh use of to cleanse the heart of man. It will not be amiss a little to show the instrumentality of the word to this blessed end and purpose. It is the glass that discovereth sin, and the water that washeth ■ it away. (1.) It is the glass Avherein to see our …
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3. It implieth a care and watchfulness over our hearts and ways, that our will and actions be conformed to the word. This must be the young man's daily prayer and care, that there be a conformity between his will and the word, that he may be a walking Bible, Christ's living epistle, copy out the word in his life, that …
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VeR. 9.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 89 chastised me, and I was chastised,' <fcc., but afterwards, David, though he began with God betimes, Ps. xxv. 7, yet prays, ' Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgression;' and Job xiii. 26, 'For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquiti…
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SERMON XI. With my ivliole heart have I souglit thee: 0 let me not ivander from thy commandments. — Ver. 10. The Psalmist had in the former verse directed the young man to dili- gence and attention unto the word ; but the word doth nothing unless we join prayer ; and therefore now he gives an example in his own perso…
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I have spoken this to show why the children of God are called the generation of them that seek him. 3. The third thing that may be called seeking of God is our observ- ance of him in the use of his ordinances. It is one thing to serve God, another thing to seek God ; one thing to make God the object, another thing the…
1,152 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.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.