PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 8
Thomas Manton · 321,683 words · 317 reading sections
Section 121
[2.] Because of the daily assaults of Satan. When a poor soul is gotten out of his hands, he jDursues him with continual malice, 1 Peter v. 8 ; no less doth he aim at than the utter destruction of our souls, and wrestles to recover the prey, to plunge us in that estate of misery wherein himself lies ; therefore we must…
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192 SERMOXS UPON PSALM cxix. [Ser. CXXVII. Use. To press ns to look after this nplioldinci; and sustain in^!^ grace, that as wc come to God, so we may keep Avith God, In some cases perseverance is more difficult than conversion ; it is a harder thing to persevere than to be converted at first. In the first conversion …
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2. Do not forfeit this assisting grace by presumptuous sins. God withdraws his protection and defence when we provoke him : Isa. lii. 2, ' Your sins have separated between you and your God, and made him hide his face from you ;' and Hosea v. 15, ' Now I will go to my own place,' I will leave them to themselves, ' till …
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[1.] The life of justification. We are all dead by the merit of sin. When a man is cast at law, we say he is a dead man : ' Througli one man's offence all were dead,' Rom. v. 5. We are sensible of it when the law cometh in with power, Eom. vii. 9 ; we begin to awaken out of our dead sleep. God's first work is to awaken…
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VeR. 116.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 197 (2.) Life natural is short and uncertain, but this eternal grace is an immortal flame, a spark that cannot be quenched. All our labour and toil is to maintain a lamp that soon goeth out, or to prop up a taber- nacle that is alwa)'s falling; when we have made provision for it, ta…
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SERMON CXXVIII. And let me not he ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall he safe; and I loill have respect unto tliy statutes continually. — Ver.' 116, 117. In the former verse I observed David begs two things — confirmation in waiting, and the full and final accomplishment of his hopes. Something remains …
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Let us see how this false hope of the wicked differs from the true hope of God's children. 1. This hope is not indeed built upon God, God hath the name, but indeed they trust upon other things ; as those women the prophet speaks of, Isa. iv. 1, ' AVe will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel ; only let us be ca…
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202 SERMONS uroN PSALM cxix. [Ser. CXXVIII. [2.] This hope cannot bo abated with the greatest evil. To a worldly man death is the king of terrors, and to a godly man it is his last end ; though it vanquish his body, it doth not vanquish his soul : Prov. xiv. 32, ' The wicked is driven away in his wickedness, but tlie …
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3. They are sensible of the good of perseverance in obedience. There are two things here : — [1.] Obedience is good ; the more we experiment it, the more we would desire to keep it up in an even tenor of close walking with God, without interruption, without intermission, God appeals to experience : Micah ii. 7, ' Do n…
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Vers. 116, 117.] sermons upon psalm cxix. 205 (Ps. cxli. 3, ' Set a watch, 0 Lord, before my mouth ; keep the door of my lips'), how soon should we betray our folly ! And therefore it is a happy day, and we have cause to bless God, when we have not by some words or works of ours interrupted our communion with him. 2.…
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The third note is taken from the promise of obedience upon the sup- position of this help from God, ' Uphold me.' What then ? ' And I will have respect unto thy statutes.' Observe — Doct. 3. The more experience we have of God's grace in the ju'c- serving us from sin and danger, the more avo should be encouraged in his…
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2. It reproveth those that faint and despond in God's ways, after much experiences of his help and presence with them. The Israelites in the wilderness, upon every new difficulty their faith is at a loss, and then back again to Egypt they would go ; though they had so often 208 SERMONS UPON TSALM CXIX. [SeR. CXXXI, e…
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1. The persons described. 2. The notion by which judgment is expressed. 3. Something concerning the certainty of this judgment. 1. The persons described, 'Them that err from tliy statutes.' Some err out of weakness, and some out of pride and obstinac3^ (1.) To err out of weakness, to wander in by-paths of our own, i…
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[3.] He will do so, tread them down all. (1.) Because of his invariable justice : ' God is but one,' Gal. iii. 20 ; that is, one always consonant unto himself, what he hath done he will do ; his justice is the same that ever it was, and his power the same ; and therefore in all his dispensations he is one ; that is, e…
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Use 1. A warning to them that are in prosperity, that they do not carry it proudly against God, his ways and people. God hath un- horsed many that have held their heads very high ; therefore let none presume to do evil because they are high and exalted. There is a foolish and mad confidence which wicked men have in the…
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2. This observation must be to a good end ; not to censure others, for that is malice : to speak even to the grief of those whom God hath wounded, this is condemned, as enemies did of the people of God in their affliction, Jer. 1. 7. Neither must we do it to justify ourselves; that is pride and self-conceit, condemned …
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[3.] When judgments fall upon them in the very act of their pro- vocation. Thus many are taken away by a violent death in the very heat of their drunkenness. Zimri and Cozbi lost their lives in the 216 SERMONS uroN rsALM cxix. [Ser. CXXIX. very instant when tliey were unloading their hisis, and many times we see puni…
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(2.) It will be a notable curb and awe upon us to keep us from sin ; for all these things befall them for our learning. It is our stupid in- cogitancy when God puts these examples before our eyes, and we are not afiected with them, and so are of little use to us : Josh. ix. 3, ' When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard wha…
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[2.] There is the deceit of superstitious persons and formalists, who seem to be devout, and have great zeal for outward things, not com- manded by God ; such 'make a fair show in the flesh,' Gal. vi. 12, by observing outward and carnal rites, as circumcision, difference of meats, legal purifications ; all their religi…
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VeR. 119.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 221 Use 1. To wean us from present things, which the wicked enjoy- more than the righteous, and wliich certainly are but poor things in comparison of our happiness : ' Set your affections on things above, not on things in the earth,' Cob iii. 2. Affect them not as your liappiness an…
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VeK. 119.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 223 dance about the brink of hell, have their secret gripes ; and will you envy them, as if your condition were not much better ? When God hath given you the feast, will you be troubled that they have the scraps and fragments of his bounty ? 2. In regard of the uncertainty of their…
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4. They are consumed in trials, as dross consumeth in the fining and trying of metals. Solid metal endureth, but the dross is con- sumed ; which holdeth true of wicked men in two respects : — (1.) Their seeming goodness is lost, and the difference is seen between them and those that are sincere. Sound and searching jud…
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1. God hath many ways and means to do it. (1.) Partly by his judgments he doth it more and more : Mat. iii. 12, ' His fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner ; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.' As the chaft' from corn, so dross from metal : I…
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Use 2. That a few wicked men may bring a great deal of hurt and mischief, as Achan upon Israel ; two dry sticks may set a green one on fire, as the whole metal is melted that the dross may be severed. Use 3. All judgments on the visible church are to sever the dross from the gold. God suffereth them a while to be ming…
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2. Because if we love not the word, we may see great danger likely to ensue : even those terrible punishments by which he purgeth out the dross should make us fall in love with God's law. If we would not jierish with the wicked of the earth, we should not sin with the wicked of the earth. If we partake of their sins, w…
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230 SERMONS UPON TSALM CXIX, [SeR. CXXXI. ' As many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them.' 3. The more God doth own his law by his judgments, the more let our love be increased. Tliis is to wash our feet in the blood of the wicked : Ps. Iviii. 10, ' Tlie righteous shall rejoice when he seeth t…
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232 SERMONS uroN PSALM cxix. [Ser. CXXXI. 3. The r;;rouiul of liis fear, ' I am afraid of thy judgments.' The great severity which (iod did exercise in ])unishing tlie evil-doers, and purging out the dross. When God dotli smite the wicked and caR ihem to an account for sin, he warnetli his own people to stand in awe. …
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3. When the judgments of God break in among us, and are executed before our eyes, that must be the more considered : Isa. xxvi. 9, ' When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.' God looketh to be more reverenced and obeyed for this, because then what Avas before matter of…
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VeK. 120.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 235 in the world to come, where God will stir iij) all his wrath. But to fear punishment, is not this servile r* No, it is not. First, if it keep its proportion, and doth not exceed its limits, driving us into a despair- ing anguish, such as the devil's is, James ii. 19. Secondly, i…
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[3.] To make us thankful for our mercies and gracious escape. It is fear that maketh us taste the sweetness of the promise of free par- don, when we see from what miseries we are delivered by the mercy of God. When the Israelites had seen the Egyptians drowned in the water, they saw they had cause to triumj)!! in the G…
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238 SERMONS UPON PSALM cxix. [Ser. CXXXII. forgiving them. As not when he falleth, so not wlien he sturableth, not at lesser evils that Ijefall them. Many will say they do not wish their destruction, but a little evil they could be glad of; which showeth how rare true piety is. God will give him like advantage against…
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Boot. It is a comely property in God's children, and very comfortable to them, to do judgment and justice. 1. It is an excellent property — [1.] Because by it we are made like God. Kighteousness is part of God's image, and herein we do most resemble his perfection : Ps. cxlv. 5, ' The Lord is righteous in all his way…
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[4.] It is so suitable to the new nature as fruits to such a tree. What is works meet for repentance ? Acts xxvi. 20, ' That they should repent, and turn to God, and do works meei for repentance;' and ' bring forth fruits meet for repentance/ Mat. iii. 8. They are the kindly products of faith in Christ and repentance t…
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VeR. 121.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 243 As Samuel, when lie and his house was laid aside, 1 Sam. xii. 2, 3, he appeals to them, ' Whose ox have I taken ? or whose ass have I taken ? or whom have I defrauded ? whom have I oppressed ? or from whose hands have I received a bribe to blind mine eyes therewith, and I will r…
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VeR. 121.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 245 make their acquisitions' firm and secure, but pass by the main care, which is to settle things upon a righteous foundation, and therefore they shall not flourish. So for iiosterity : Pro v. xi. 21, ' The seed of the righteous shall be delivered.' So Prov. xii. 7, * The wicked ar…
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Secondly, We have David's prayer, ' Leave me not to mine op- pressors.' He beggeth help against the o})pression of the enemy. I might observe — 1. That it is no new thing to see innocent men troubled, opjjressed, persecuted. He that could say, I have done judgment and justice, yet had his ojipressors. As long as Satan…
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In the literal explanation we have — (1.) The matter of the petition, tet them not oppress me. (2.) An argument insinuated from the quality and disposition of his enemies, the proud. First, From the metaphorical notion, ' Be surety for thy servant,' we may observe this doctrine — Doct. In deep distress we have leave …
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5. God is a sufficient surety. Here we may consider two things — the satisfaction of Christ, and the power of God's providence ; in re- 250 SERMONS uroN PSALM cxix. [Ser. CXXXIIT. spect of both which he is a pledge and surety every way sufficient for our comfort, safety, and deliverance. [1.] I would not leave out C…
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2. God's affection is such that he will refuse no office that may be for his people's comfort. We are often dissuaded from suretyship, especially for strangers, by the wise man, with great vehemency and in- stance : Pro v. vi. 1,2,' My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a strange…
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[1.] God, who hath such a pity over his suffering servants, is ready ever to do them good: Ps. xxxv. 1, ' Plead my cause, 0 Lord, with VeR. 122.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 253 them that strive with me; fight against them that fight against me,' He is in such full relation, and so fast bound to them, that they may not …
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Eeason 2. Because then we pray according to the new nature ; old nature would have ease, the new nature would have grace ; the flesh would be pleased, but the spirit would be profited ; and God hears not the voice of the flesh, but the spirit in prayer : Bom. viii. 27, 'He that searcheth the heart knoweth what is the m…
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4. This good is not to be determined by feeling, but by faith : Ps. Ixxiii. 1, ' Yet God is good to Israel, and to such as are of a clean heart.' God is good to his people, however, he seem to deal hardly with them : sense judgeth it ill, but faith saith it is good ; it seeth a great deal of love in pain and smart. The…
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[3.] Our eternal good. Heaven will make amends for all that we endure here. This mainly is intended in Rom. viii. 28, ' All things shall work together for good to them that love God.' And then in the 29th and 30th verses, he presently bringeth in the golden chain, ' Whom he did predestinate, them he also called ; and w…
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Veil 122.] sermons upon psalm cxix. 259 Secondly, I now come to the literal explanation; and there w(^ have — 1. The evil deprecated, oppress me. 2. The persons likely to inflict it, the proud. First, Tiic evil deprecated, ' Let not tiie proud oppress me.' The Septuagint, /u,?; avKo^avrrjadrcoadv /Lie vireprjcjiavo…
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[4.] It is especially aggravated if they be God's servants oppressed for religion : Ps. xii. 5, ' Por the oppression of the ])Oor, for the sighing of the needy ; now will I arise, saith the Lord, I will set them in safety, from him that pufleth at him.' The proud persecutor doth little think of the godly, that any powe…
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2. Take heed of envy, covetousness, pride, revenge ; these are ill- counsellors. Ahab envies Naboth's vineyard, and covets it, and that put him upon oppressing him. So Hosea xii. 7, ' He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand ; he loveth to oppress.' So take heed of pride : Ps. x. 2, ' The wicked in his …
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264 SERMONS UPON PSALM cxix. [Ser. CXXXY. And tliis is tlie worse, because it doili not only ]-)ervert the end of speech, but defeatethanotlier of that right which we seem to give him, in the thing promised ; which is a fuilher degree of injustice. Therefore we must take liced how, either directly or interpretatively.…
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Reason 3. Because God standeth much on the credit of his word. Heathens have acknowledged it to be the property of the gods, aXTjOeveLv kol evepyerelv ; certainly the true God hath showed himself to the world in nothing so much as doing good and keeping promise : Ps. cxxxviii. 2, ' Thou hast magnified thy word above al…
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VeR. 123.] SEKMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 267 5. Above all this, 3'ou are to glorify God publicly ; not only in the quiet of your hearts, but by your carriage before others : John iii. 33, ' Pat to his seal that God is true.' It is not said, Believed or professed, but, Put to his seal. We seal the truth of God as his witnes…
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2. There is hope in it ; for what a man hopeth for he will look for it, if he can see it a-coming: ' the earnest expectation of the creature/ cLTTOKapahoKla t?}? KTiaew^, Rom. viii. 19 ; the stretching forth of the head: Judges v. 28, 'They looked out at the window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so …
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3. The eye being clear, you must ever be looking up out of the world of temptations into the world of comforts and supports, from 270 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. CXXXV. eartli to heaven : Heb. xi. 27, ' As seeing him that is invisible ; ' and the nothing things of the worki, by omnifying and magnifying God. There …
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(2.) Because temptations raise strange clouds and mists in the soul, that though they grant principles, yet they cannot reconcile provi- dences with them. As Jer. xii. 1, ' Kighteous art thou, 0 Lord, yet let me plead with thee.' It is not to be questioned, much less doubted of, that God is upright and just in his deal…
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Use 2. Let us provide for long sufferings. All colours will not liold as long as the cloth lasts. We need a great deal of grace, because we know not how long our great troubles may last. Sometimes sufferings are like to be long. First, When the cross maketh little improvement, carrieth little conviction with it. While …
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2. Because since the fall there is no claiming but by the covenant of grace and mere mercy, A sinner cannot expect anything but upon terms of mercy. The covenant of works supposed us innocent and holy, and bound us so to continue. Gal. iii. 20 ; so that the law knoweth not how to do good to a sinner. Once a sinner, and…
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Use 1. Information. We learn hence that we should not be dis- couraged, when our hearts are touched with a deep remorse and sense of our failings, and are desirous to break off our sins by repentance ; that mercy which is freely vouchsafed in the covenant, which all God's servants have so often experienced, which the b…
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4. When taken in a fault, that God will pity our weakness and iniirinities iu his service: Mai. iii. 17, ' I will spare them as a man gpareth his son that serveth him ; ' that is, he will continue his favour 278 SERMONS UPON TSALM CXIX. [SeR. CXXXVI. and good-Avill to them that .serve him. So surely they that have a …
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2. This will appear if we consider the heart of man, which is natu- rally full of darkness, and oppressed by the prejudices of customs and evil habits : 1 Cor. ii. 14, ' But the natural man receiveth not the things of God ;' 2 Cor. iv. 4, ' The god of this world hath blinded their eyes.' This veil can only be removed b…
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VeR. 124.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 281 Reason 2. Because the danger of sin is a greater inconvenience than the danger of trouble. In times of trials and troubles we are in danger of soul-losing and sinning, as well as bodily danger ; therefore we have need to beg wisdom of God to carry it well under trouble, because …
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Secondly, To handle the words with respect to the nearer context in ver. 123, 'Mine eyes fail for thy salvation.' This teaching is begged after he had complained of the delay of the promises, and so implicilly he complaineth not of the falsity of the word, or the non-performance of the promise, but of the weakness of h…
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lieason 2. The great ])rivilege of the covenant of grace is to be taught God's statutes, or to have a real impress of them upon the heart and mind, which is the way of divine teaching : Heb. viii. 10, ' For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel in those days, saith the Lord ; I will put my laws…
964 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.