PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 6
Thomas Manton · 319,442 words · 323 reading sections
Section 121
Thus you see the word of God is the object, either read or preached. The end of it is, that they may grow in grace, and that their hearts may be more subjected to God, and may be strengthened in waiting upon him : and the manner of this desire is vehement and constant ; not at times ; but it is the usual frame and temp…
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[3.] The next cause is necessity. We should take delight in the word of God for its excellency, though we stood in no need of it. But our necessity is very great, and this awakens desire. The word is not only compared to things which make for conveniency of life, as to wine and honey, but is compared also to things tha…
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1. By seldom attendance upon the word. We do not redeem time to hear the word ; when brought home to our doors, we seldom step out to hear it. They use to say, a surfeit of bread is most dangerous ; surely a surfeit of the bread of life is so ; when men are full, and begin to despise the word as if not worth the hearin…
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5. By our worldly projects. Men show a loathing of this word by their eagerness to the world ; their hearts, with Martha, are cumbered with many things, while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to hear his word, Luke x. We are very fervorous in worldly affairs ; there we can experiment this kind of affection which David spe…
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[3.] To supply and strengthen us. It is our food. Alas ! what a poor languishing Christian will a man be that doth not often make use of the word ! This strengthens him against corruptions, quickens him in duties, and gives success in conflicts. The sword of the Spirit is the choicest weapon. It is ' the power of God t…
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In the words observe — 1. The term that is given to wicked men, the proicd, so commonly called in scripture : Mai. iii. 15, ' They call the proud happy ; yea, they that work wickedness are set up.' 2. The instance and discovery of their pride, they en' from thy commandments. 3. The evil state in which they are, they…
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1. That obstinacy and impenitency is. pride. 2. That it is the worst sort of pride. First, That there is pride in impenitency and obstinacy in a course of sin. Why ? 1. Because they neglect God. To slight a superior, and not to give him due respect, hath ever been accounted pride. Surely then this is pride with a wi…
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[2.] His supremacy is not precarious. [3.] In the management of his supremacy he useth much conde- scension. Now, to stand out against him, oh, what egregious pride is this ! [1.] He hath an absolute jurisdiction over us. Those that are our betters, we are to honour and respect them, though they have not power over u…
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Use 1. It informs us, how humble soever men appear otherwise, yet they are proud if they have never submitted to God with brokenness of heart, seeking his pardon and favour. There are many which are facile to men, and yet full of contumacy and stoutness of stomach against God ; they can stoop to the poorest worm, and c…
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Doct. 2. These p;'oud are cursed , or, those that obstinately and impenitently continue in their sins, they are under a curse. 1. I shall open the nature of this curse. 2. Show how impenitent sinners come under this curse. First, The natui-e and quality of this curse ; or what is that curse which lies upon all wicke…
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[4.] There is a curse upon all he doth ; his duties are lost, his prayers are 'turned into sin,' his hearing is 'the savour of death unto death,' whilst heremaineth in his impenitency. It is said : Prov. xxi. 27, ' The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination ; how much more when he bringeth it with a wicked mind ?' Thou…
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Thirdly, They are not only cursed, but rebuked, ' Thou hast rebuked the proud,' &c. Observe — Doct. 3. The rebukes of God's providence upon impenitent sinners are of great use to the saints. 1. They are arguments of his displeasure against the proud and against the impenitent. God, that is so merciful to the humble a…
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VeR. 22.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 205 (3.) It may be conceived thus, that his respect to God's word was not abated for this reproach. He still kept God's testimonies, how wicked soever he did appear in the eyes of the world. It is either an asser- tion of his innocency, or he shows the ground why this reproach came u…
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[2.] For personal reproaches ; this is very usual with God's children also, reproaches upon private and personal occasions. God may let loose a railing Shimei against David. Many times he complains of his re- proaches, often in this psalm, more in other psalms : Ps. xxxi. 13, ' For I have heard the slander of many ; th…
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broken and dissolved, leave an excellent scent, so he leaves Lis name behind him. And partly because it is put above riches : Prov. xxii. 1, 'A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.' It is better, more pure and sublime than wealth, and more worthy our esteem. They are low and dreggy spirits whose hearts r…
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1. It seems to be a proper cure for the sin of pride ; be it pride in the mind, which is self-conceit ; or pride in the affections, which is called vainglory; all sorts of pride ; there is no such effectual remedy as this. Possibly we have been too self-conceited, then God givetli us to such scandals that may show us w…
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2. As to try our faith, so our patience. We should prevent reproach as much as we can ; but then we must bear it when we cannot avoid it. They reproach, but I pray, Ps. cix. 4 ; that was David's exercise VeR. 22.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 211 and revenge ; he took that advantage, to pray for them. God will try- how w…
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2. You rob them of the most precious treasure. He that robs thee of thy name is the worst kind of thief : Pro v. xxii. 1, ' A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches/ A man that is taken pilfer- ing another man's goods, he is ashamed when he is found ; so should a censurer : you rob him of a more excellent t…
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JJae 3. If this be so usual and grievous an affliction, and that even to the children of God, and that not only upon the account of nature, but of grace, then it puts us upon seeking comfort against reproaches. 1. The witness of a good conscience within. If 3'ou be innocent, it is not against thee they speak, but agai…
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1. For consulting against them to their ruin. We have instances of a council gathered against Christ : John xi. 47, ' Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we ? for this man doth many miracles.' They meet together, and plot the ruin of Christ and his kingdom ; and they were thos…
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3. That his people may be weaned from fleshly dependencies, and doting upon civil powers, and so be driven to depend upon him alone.. Ps. xciv. 20-22, ' Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with VeR. 23.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 217 fchee, which estabhsh mischief by a law ? They gather themselves to- gether …
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3. Their erroneous principle in civil policy, that Christ's kingdom and the freedom of his worshippers is not consistent with civil interests. Whatever hath been the matter, worldly rulers have been jealous of Christ's interest and kingdom, as if it could not consist with public safety, and the civil interests of that …
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[2.] To pity those whose case it is that princes sit and speak against them, as it is of many of the people of God now in the Avorld. When we suffer not by immediate and direct passion, we should suffer by 220 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XXIV. way of fellow-feeling and compassion. It is charged as a great crime th…
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2. Among all sorts of holy divertisements none is of such use as Gods word. There is matter enough to take up our thoughts and allay our cares and fears, and to swallow up our sorrows and griefs, to direct us in all straits. In brief, there is comfort there and counsel there. [1.] Comfort, whilst the word teacheth us …
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2. That afflictions, though in themselves they are legal punish- ments, fruits of sin, yet by the grace of God they are medicinal to his people: 1 Cor. xi. 32, 'When we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.' 3. We never advance more in Christianity than under the cross …
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2. It is a cordial joy : Ps. iv. 7, ' Thou hast put more gladness into my heart.' That is a delight indeed which puts a gladness into the heart, which not only tickles the outward senses, but affects the soul and comforts the conscience. Carnal joy makes a loud noise, and therefore it is compared to ' the crackling of …
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Secondly, How do we find it in the word ? ' His testimonies are my delight.' The word requires this joy in troubles, and the word ministers it to the soul. It requires this joy : James i. 2, ' Count it all joy' when ye fall into divers temptations.' We are not only with patience to submit to God's will, but also to re…
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5. Another comfort which the scripture propounds is the help we shall have in affliction to bear it, partly from the comforts of his Spirit, and partly from the supports of his grace. [1.] By way of consolation : ' The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost' at such a time, Eom. v. 3. Cordials are …
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2. Whoever would keep in with God needs counsel and direction in all his ways. 3. The only good counsel we can have is from God in his word. 4. The counsel God hath given us in his word is sufficient and full out for all our necessities. Prop. 1. That our great interest is to keep in with God, and approve ourselves …
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Po'op. 4. The counsel that God hath given us in his word is suffi- cient and full out to all our necessities. Let me instance this in par- ticulars. 1. The word gives us counsel for our general choice; it is the rule of all faith and obedience. The scriptures are the counsel of God, sent to remedy the miseries of the …
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It is a rule that teaclieth us how to think well, for it reacheth to the thoughts ; to speak well, for it giveth a law to all our words ; to do well in all our civil actions and trading : how to keep a good con- science, and approve ourselves to God; how in natural actions, eating, drinking, to season them with God's f…
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Use 3. To press us to this consulting with the word of God, to make the testimonies of the Lord the men of our counsel. There are many qualifications and tempers of heart necessary. 1. Fear of God : Ps. xxv. 12, * What man is he that feareth the Lord ? him will he teach the way that he shall choose ; ' he that is in d…
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Here is — (1.) A representation of David's case; (2.) His supj)lica- tion or petition thereupon ; wlierein — (1st.) The request itself ; (2d.) The argument to enforce it. VeR. 25.] SERMONS UPON PSAL5I CXIX. 235 First, The representation of David's case, ' My soul cleaveth unto the dust.' The speech is metaphorical, e…
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2. To humble them, and bring them low in the midst of their great enjoyments ; therefore lie casts them down even to the dust. Because we cannot keep our hearts low, therefore God maketli our condition low. This was Paul's case : 2 Cor. i. 7-9, ' And our hope of you is stead- fast, knowing that as ye are partakers of t…
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[2.] To seek our comfort elsewhere, from earthly things, it is a vain 238 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XXVI. and evil course. (1.) It is vain ; for God is the party with whom we have to do. In many troubles the creatures may be instruments of our woe ; but the principal party is God. Strike in with him, and you sto…
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2. Take lieed of despondency. The throne of grace is set up. on purpose for such a time : Heb. iv. 16, * Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need;' Ps. 1. 15, 'Call upon me in the day of trouble ; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me…
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1. The influence of grace is not the warrant of duty, but the help ; it is the efficient assisting cause, not the ground or rule. We are to do all acts of obedience on account of God's command : Luke v. 5, ' Simon answering, said unto him, Master, we have toiled a|l the night ; nevertheless at thy word I will let down …
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Secondly, The next circumstance is the argument, ' According to thy word.' What word doth David mean ? Either the general pro- mises in the books of Moses or Job, which intimate deliverance to the faithful observers of God's law, or help to the miserable and distressed, or some particular promise given to him by Nathan…
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244 • SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XXVII. tiou of bis counsel, and the latter is promised here ; if we acknowledge God and declare our ways to him, God will counsel us. -And David did thus declare his way upon all occasions : 2 Sam. ii. 1, ' David inquired of the Lord, saying. Shall I go up into any of the cities of…
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1. Because it is made to be one of the conditions of pardon, and the act of repentance that is necessary to the pardon of sin : Prov. xxviii. 13, 'He that hideth his sins shall not prosper ; but he that confesseth and forsakes them, shall find mercy;' so it runs. And 1 John i. 9, ' If we confess our sins, he is faithfu…
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2. It argueth somewhat of the spirit of adoption to put in the bill of our complaint to our heavenly father, to draw up an indictment against ourselves. To judge, that is irksome; but to put in a bill of complaint to a friend, or father, that savours of more ingenuity. To tell God all our mind notes freedom and familia…
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2. As to sins, let me tell you, go to God with clearness and open- ness; reveal your whole state, tell him what are your temptations and conflicts, and how your heart works. Though he knows it already by his own omnisciency, yet let him know it by your own acknowledg- ments. Let him not know it as a judge, take notice …
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Thirdly, God delays many times when he doth not deny, for our exercise. 1. To exercise our faith, to see if we can believe in him when we see nothing, have no sensible proof of his good-will to us. The woman of Canaan she comes to Christ, and first gets not a word from him — Christ ' answered her nothing ; ' afterward…
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Use 1. If God be so ready to hear his people, let ns not throw away our prayers as children shoot away their arrows ; but let us observe God's answer, what comes in upon every prayer. In every address you make to God, put the soul in a posture of expectation : Ps. v. 3, ' I will pray and look up ; ' and Ps. Ixxxv. 8, '…
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2. Experience breeds confidence. The apostle teacheth us so, Rom. V. 4. When we have had former experience of God's readiness to hear us, it is an argument that breeds confidence of the like audience for the future. ' He that delivered me out of the mouth of the lion,' &c. God, that hath been gracious, surely will be g…
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Thirdly, Note, they that would steer their course according to God's holy will had need of the conduct and assistance of his Holy Spirit ; for he goes to God, ' Lord, teach me thy statutes,' Ps. xxv. 4 ; ' Show me thy ways, 0 Lord, teach me thy paths ;' and Ps. xxvii. 11, ' Teach me thy way, 0 Lord, and lead me in a pl…
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^ Qu. 'notions' ? — Ed. VeR. 27.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 257 passages of his life in every relation according to the will of God. The narrow way of obedience is hardly found, hardly kept, and easily mistaken, especially where prejudices, lusts, and interests, are apt to pervert us. Therefore prudence to apply the r…
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4, Because of the profit that cometh by knowledge. All grace from first to last cometh in by the understanding. God in the work of grace followeth the order which he hath established in nature. Reason and judgment are to go before the will ; and therefore, when the work of grace is first begun in us, it beginneth in th…
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Use 2. To press you to grow in knowledge. None have such con- fidence and rejoicing in God as those that have a clear sight and understanding of his will revealed in his word. Let your knowledge — (1.) Be more comprehensive. At first our thoughts run in a narrow channel. There are certain general truths absolutely nece…
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The creation of all things out of nothing, we believe it upon the testimony of the word, but it is too wonderful for us to search it to the bottom ; yea, the framing of the body in the womb, so many different things out of the same seed, as flesh, and bones, and muscles, and in such an order and proportion : Ps. cxxxix…
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VeR. 27.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 263 sweetness the practice of it diffuse tli tlirough the soul, it is unspeak- able and glorious, 1 Peter i. 8. So Phil. iv. 7, ' The ])eace of God that passes understanding shall guard your hearts,' &c. When a man hath settling and composure of spirit in the midst of tempests and st…
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Fourth point, In our desires of knowledge it is meet to propound a good end ; as David here beggeth understanding, that he might see and discover to others what he had found in God's law. To know that we may know is foolish curiosity ; to know that we may be known is vanity and ostentation ; to see that we may sell our…
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2. They have a greater sense than others, their hearts being en- tendered by religion. None have so quick a feeling as the children of God. AVhy ? Because they have a clearer understanding, and more tender and delicate affections. [1.] Because they have a clearer understanding, and see more into the nature of things t…
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David was a man valiant, that had ' a heart as the heart of a lion,' 2 Sam. xvii. 10. He was a man cheerful, called ' the sweet singer of Israel,' 2 Sara, xxiii. 1 ; of a ruddy sanguine complexion, and a great master of music. He was no fool, but a man wise as the angel of God; and yet you see what a bitter sense he ha…
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1. It is the inward man that is esteemed with God, and therefore that is it the saints mainly look after. God doth not look upon men according to their outward condition, pomp, and appearances in the world, but according to the inward endowments of the heart : 1 Sam. xvi. 7, * Man's eye is upon the outward appearance, …
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Use. The use of this is to check our carnal and preposterous care for the outward man, to the neglect of the inward. How much are we for the outward man, that it may be well fed and well clothed, well at ease for the present life ! There is all our care ; but not so careful to get the soul furnished with grace, and str…
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2. But besides this, there is a continuance and an increase of these graces, when the Lord confirms his work, and jierfects what he hath begun, Phil. i. 16. The apostle most notably sets it forth: 1 Peter V. 10, ' The God of all grace make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.' All these words concern the habi…
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Thus I have showed what is this spiritual strength, and what we beg of God when we say, ' Strengthen me ; ' and how this is given out, in w'hat manner God conveyeth this strength to the soul, how suitable to our nature, to our temper, to our employment. Thirdly. How God is concerned in it. David goes to God for this b…
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Secondly, I now come to the argument, ' Strengthen me according to thy word.' God's word binds him to relieve his people in distress. There are two promises ; one is, 1 Cor. x. 13, ' God will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.' A good man would not over- burden his beast ; certainly the gracious God A…
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VeR. 29.] SERMONS UPON PSALIM CXIX. 277 way of lying,' that is, keep me from falling- into error and mistakes about religion; for he begs that the law may be granted to him, or a certain stated rule, without which all things are liable to deceit and imposture. And according to this sense Austin bcggeth that he may nei…
985 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.