PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 8
Thomas Manton · 321,683 words · 317 reading sections
Section 241
3. Though they are forsaken for a while, yet not for ever : Isa. liv. 380 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. CXLVI. 7. 8, * For a small moment have I forsaken thee, hut with great mercy will I gather thee. In a little wrath I have hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee…
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Use. Let us be of this temper. Men commonly think that God looketh upon those whom he blesseth with a large increase of temporal things, that he is merciful to those that never see evil, nor feel pain or want. David was not of this mind ; he would have God deal with him as with his friends and favourites ; he leaveth i…
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VeR. 133.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 383 all may be done in a subordination to our great end ; for order respects that. And we are soon discouraged, therefore God must support and establish us : so firmly direct, that thou mayest establish our steps according to thy word. The subject is, 'my steps.' Because the affect…
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2. The necessity of the word of God. Whoever will please God in all things, and will purge his own soul and his life from sin, must take the word of God for his rule and direction. Our lives are not to be framed according to our own fancies, but God's word, where the genuine holiness is recommended to us, and which is …
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VOL. VIII. 2 B 386 SERMONS UPON PSALM cxix. [Seu. CXLVII. or custom, and many evil habits : 2 Cor. iv. 4, ' The god of this world hath blinded men's eyes.' There are many inordinate aflt'ections that increase u])on us. So it is then that a man is blind by nature, more blind by custom and inordinate affection, is exce…
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388 SERMONS UPON PSALM cxix. [Ser. CXLVII. enjoyment of him ? Oh ! here they have an infallible direction that they cannot miscarry in so great an afTiiir as this is, as the getting home to God. Surely that is a great blessing. I remember David saith, Ps. Ixxiii. 24, ' Thou shalt guide me by thy counsel, and after- wa…
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(1.) To sin in general. He, whosoever he be, that, instead of trembling at God's word, scoffeth at it, and maketh more account of this world than of the will of God, of the fashions of men than of God's word, and thinketh the scorn of a base worm that would deride him for godliness a greater terror than the wrath of Go…
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VeR. 133.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 391 admit of admonition and reproof for them, or their falling into them out of an inward propensity, when outward temptations are none, or weak, or very few ; some sins that are less mortified than others, or unto which they are carried by a natural inclination, constitution, or ed…
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Secondly, That it is a great evil, &c. It must needs be so — 1. Because it is a renouncing of the government of Christ. We transfer the kingdom from him to Satan, and take the sceptre out of his hands, when we give way to the reign of sin. What though we do not formally intend this, yet virtually we do so, and so God w…
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394 SERMONS UPON PSALM cxix. [Ser. CXLVIII. them under. There will be pride, earthliness, unbelief, and sensuality dwelling', moving, working in ilieni ; but it hath not its wonted power over them. Christ will not reckon men slaves to sin by their having sin in them, nor yet by their daily failings and infirmities, or…
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Thirdly, Why the saints should deprecate this evil, 1. Recause there is sin still in us all. It is a bosom enemy, that is born and bred with us ; and therefore it will soon get the advantage of grace, if it be not watched and resisted ; as nettles and weeds that are kindly to the soil, will soon choke flowers and bett…
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VeR. 133.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 397 selves headlong into an ocean. And so there is a difference between infirmities and iniquities, a failing out of ignorance and weakness, or some powerful temptation, and a running headlong into all ungodli- ness. God's children have their failings, but a burning desire to be fre…
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3. Man by way of diminution. And to lessen the fear of this evil, this term 'Adam' is given them, to show their weakness in com- parison of God. Thou art God, but they that are so ready and for- ward to opi)ress and injure us are but men ; thou canst easily over- rule their power and break the yoke. I think this consid…
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[2.] Our spiritual welfare is concerned in such temporal deliverances, that we may serve God without impediment, and without distraction. (L) The oppression of man is an impediment ; it taketli us off from many opportunities of service and bringing honour to God; and though God will dispense with us at such a time, yet…
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(1.) Fear, because of the mightiness of them that oppress, or threaten to oppress. The fear of man we are told is a snare : Pro v. xxix. 25, ' The fear of man bringeth a snare ; but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.' We are full of distracting and perplexing thoughts, and if we cherish them they will w…
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VeR. 134.] SERMONS UPON TSALM CXIX. 403 Kom. xii. 17. We ouglit not, we need not, it is God's work : Deut. xxxii. 35, * Vengeance and recompense are mine/ Nay, our very prayino- is a committing ourselves to him that judgeth righteously, 1 Peter ii, 23. In prayer we vent our zeal, and that hindereth us from venting our…
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[4.] We must pray in faith that God can and is ready to deliver from the oppression of man, and will do so in due time, when it is good for us. (1.) God can deliver us. Though our oppressors be never so mighty and strong, God can break their power, or change their hearts, or de- termine their interests, because the om…
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(3.) He will do it when it is good and necessary ; for God hath made promises and repeated promises of deliverance, and surely these are not in vain. If God had spoken but once, we had no reason to doubt ; but he telleth us over and over again we should cast our care upon him, and refer all things to him without despon…
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A71S. 1. We are not altogether without this benefit : 2 Chron. vii. 12, •' The Lord said, I have lieard thy prayer.' Many times God maketh his love conspicuous to his people in a low condition ; they are oppressed sore, but not grinded to powder ; it is a blessing we are not quite destroyed. Exod. i. 12, The Israelites…
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Let me speak of the first petition. Where I might observe — 1. The matter of the petition, make thy face to shine. 2. The person, upon me. 3. The character by which he describeth himself, thy servant. 1. As to the matter, 'Make thy face to shine.' It is a metaphor taken from the sun. When the sun shines, and sheds …
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2. It may be really when he is angry for sin : Isa. Ivii. 17, ' For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth and smote him ; I hid me and was wroth.' As the fathers of our flesh show their anger by whipping and scourging the bodies of their children, so the Father of our spirits by lashing the soul and spirits, by …
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Use. Well, if it be so, all the use I shall make is to put this ques- tion— Is this your case, yea or no ? There is nothing that conduceth to the safety and comfort of the spiritual life so much as observing God's comings and goings, that we may suit our carriage accordingly. Our Lord saith, Mat. ix. 15, ' Can the chil…
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sciences, what will the good word of the world do ? 'A Cor. x. 18, ' He is approved whom the Lord commendeth.' A sense of Grod's love in Christ is the sweetest thing that ever we felt, and is able to sweeten the bitterest cnp that ever believer drank of : Rom. v. 3, ' We glory in tribulation.' It will be a blessed thin…
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2. The new nature inclines and carries the soul to God ; it came from God, and carries the soul to God again. The spirit of the world doth wholly incline us to the world : they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh ; and the Spirit of God doth incline us to God, and therefore the people of God will v…
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1. Because of God's promise, because of the mercy of God pawned to us in his promises. He hath told us, none shall seek his face in vain, Isa. xlviii. 19; Prov. viii. 17; Ps. xxii. 11, 20. One that seri- ously and diligently is seeking after God, before he hath done his search, he shall have some opportunity to bless a…
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2. The children of God do know that this is the cause of God's aversion from them, that his statutes are not observed ; and therefore, when they beg a greater experience of God's special favour, they also beg direction to keep his statutes. They cannot maintain and keep up a sense of the love of God unless they be punc…
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Use 1. Por reproof of three sorts: — 1. Of those that would have ease and comfort, but care not for duty ; would have the love of God to pacify their consciences, but never mind this, to have their hearts directed in God's ways: Hosea x. 11, ' Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, that would tread out the corn but n…
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In the words observe David's grief is set out by — \. Constancy and greatness of it, rivers of tears run down mine eyes. 2. The goodness of tlie cause or reason of it, because they keep not thy laic. ' Rivers of tears.' He compares his tears to a stream and river always running. The same expression is used Lam. ii. …
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422 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. CLI. mourning after sinners in the entreaties of the gospel ! But that I may vindicate this point more fully, I shall give — 1. Some observations concerning mourning for the sins of otiiers. 2. Give you the reasons of it. The observations arc these five : — 1. That it is an absolu…
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3. That tears are not absolutely necessary for the expression of this •grief and tenderness. David saith, ' Rivers of tears.' Why ? For grief doth not always keep the road and highway ; and many times when water goes out, wind comes in. Many are puffed up with sensi- tive trouble, and put more upon tears than they do u…
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VeR. 36.] SERMONS UPON FSALIM CXIX. 425' men, Heb. v. 2, that they might have more compassion ; so the Lord multiplies these instances of grace, that they might have more com- passion towards others. They that have felt the terrors of the Lord, and know the wounds and bruises of a troubled conscience, are more affecti…
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(3.) When resolute and incorrigible. Resolute ; we have, and we will : Jer. xliv. 16, 17, ' As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee ; but we will certainly do whatsoever thing goetli forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to…
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428 SERMONS uroN psalm cxix. [Ser. CLI. care. If thou hast wept sore in secret places, thou wilt be earnest with God and man to remove the occasion of thy grief. [3.] The Lord reqnireth this to keep our hearts the more tender and upright ; it is an act God useth to make us more careful of our own souls, to be trouble…
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[3.] This disposition cometli from the antipathy and zealous dis- pleasure that is in their hearts against sin. They know what sin is, the greatest enemy that God and Christ and their own souls have in the world. It was sin that made angels become devils ; it was sin that blew up the sparks of hell-fire ; it was sin th…
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the truest friends to their native soil ; they are the chariots and horse- men of Israel. Those that plead with God stand in the gap, keep ofT judgments, and have the most public spirit ; therefore the least they can do is to sigh for it and to plead with wicked men ; as TertuUian, Si non vis tibi par cere, parce Carth…
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VeR. 13G.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 433 of profane, carnal persons. Would a man willingly put himself upon occasions of grief ? Are you like Lot, whose soul was vexed day by day ? Do but consider how much your temper differs from theirs, David saith, Ps, cxix. 115, ' Depart from me, ye evil-doers.' Others there are th…
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1. This is the best way to enter our protestation and dissent against the iniquity of the times. When we cannot help a thing, it is good to retract it, and commit it by tears to God ; for then it shall not be laid to our charge. When the Corinthians mourned for incest committed among them, and sorrowed with a godly sor…
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436 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. CLII. There are many Judases, many Cains in thy nature. I was in times past as bad as any, as bold with sin, and as notorious a sinner. Every sin therefore • should be a fresh bleedinj; wound in our own souls. They are but the picture of thy natural flice : Titus iii. 3, ' We in time…
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In the words the man of God reasons ab efficiente ad effecium, a legislatore ad leges — from the i)roperty of God to the laws that he hath given us. God being essentially righteous and perfectly righteous, yea, righteousness itself, nothing contrary to justice can proceed from him ; no iniquity from equity itself, nor …
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(2.) He hath a right of using and disposing of them so made accord- ing to his own pleasure, to aj)point them to be high or low, miserable .a,nd afflicted, or prosperous and happy, as it shall be for his glory : Eom. xi. 36, * All things are of him, and from him, and to him, to whom be glory.' As God made the creatures…
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(1st.) His remunerative or rewarding justice. It is just with God to reward our obedience, and to give men what his promise hath made due to them. It is true we cannot expect reward from God in strict righteousness, or by the exact laws of commutative justice and strict righteousness in this fallen estate, as if there …
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Secondly, To prove that God is just. I shall prove it by four things : — 1. From the perfection of the divine nature. The perfection of the divine will is such that he necessarily loveth righteousness and hateth iniquity. As the perfection of God's understanding includes all intel- lectual virtues, so the perfection o…
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Object. If God be so just, why then does the way of the wicked prosper ? Why are those that desire to be faithful with God so afflicted and calamitous ? This is a wind that hath shaken the tallest cedars in Lebanon. The choicest saints of God have been exceedingly hurried and tossed to and fro in their thoughts by this…
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odious to God because wicked men do not presently feel the punisli- ment of it. There are many righteous ends why execution should be delayed, partly with respect to the Mediator, into whose hands the government of the world is put : Exod. xxxiii. 2, 3, ' I will send an angel before thee ; I will not go up with thee, l…
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3. The third consideration is this, providence must not be viewed by halves, but in its whole frame and connection. Do but wait a little, and you shall see God will show himself a righteous God. When we view the dealings of God by pieces, we are apt to break out into those complaints : Ps. Ixxiii. 11, 12, ' Doth the Lo…
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2. God having intended to bestow eternal blessings upon us, will take a liberty in disposing of outward things. Jesus Christ, when he 448 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR, CLIV. purchased comforts for us, did not purchase only or chiefly earthly comforts and blessings : Eph. i. 3, ' The God and Father of our Lord Jesus …
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5. Good men are but in part good, and it is fit their carnal part should be chastised, that while there are remainders of sin there should be some trouble, that God should burn and cut here that he might spare hereafter, that we should be judged of God, and not condemned witli the world, 1 Cor. xi. 32. It is better tha…
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VeR. 137.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 451 remission and forgiveness. God may give you a long day, and yet reckon with you at last : Rom. ix. 22, ' He enduretli with much long- suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.' Mark, there is suffering, long-suffering, and much long-suffering ; and yet vessels of wra…
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And then against wrongs and injuries we meet with here, the just God, who, as he will do us no wrong himself, so he will not suffer others to do us wrong without punishing of them: Ps. ciii, 6, ' The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.' He pities the afflictions of them that suffer unj…
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454 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SkR. CLV. his daughter-in-law dies, he liimself breaks his neck. Oh ! the wonderful tragedies that sin works in the houses of the children of God. And ])avid, when he intermeddled with forbidden fruit, was driven from his ])alace, his concubines defiled, his own son slain, a great many ca…
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Prop. 3. This true and righteous doctrine must be backed with a strong and powerful authority, not only recommended to us, but strictly and severely enjoined, for two reasons : — 1. I3ecause otherwise it will not be observed and regarded, but be looked upon not as a binding law, but as an arbitrary direction. There is…
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2. All that God hath required of us is very righteous and just, becoming God to give, and man to receive. There is a condescency in these precepts both to God's nature and to ours. They are the copy of God's holiness, and so a fit means to bring us not only into a subjection to him, which is just, he being our creator,…
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[3] That law is just and righteous, the violation of which men judge to be justly punished. I use this argument because under punishment men are serious, for it rubbeth up and reviveth the sense of a divine power. Now, for the violation of this law God hath judged persons, families, nations, and kingdoms, and conscienc…
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[2.] In making good. God hath given us the most solemn assur- ance : Heb. vi. 17, 18, ' God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation.' He …
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Use 1. Let us own and improve the word, as a righteous and faith- ful word, which God hath commanded for our good. 1. Own the authority of it. It is not an arbitiary thing ; the truths revealed imply a command to believe them, the duties required imply a command to obey them : Mat. xvii. 5, ' This is my beloved Son, i…
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Use 2. Express these virtues of the word. We must be righteous and true if the word of God be so, for the impression must answer the seal and stamp : Kom. vi. 17, ' But God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin ; but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doc- trine which was delivered you ; ' 2 Cor. iii. 3, …
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2. There is a different carriage mentioned, and ascribed to these two parties ; on the one side, oblivion and forgetfulness of God's law ; on the other side, zeal. VOL. VIIL 2 G 466 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX, [SeR. CLVL [1.] On the enemies' part, oblivion and forgetful ness of God's word. The word of God is not effect…
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[2.] There is another sort of carnal zeal which hath an ill object, though it may be a good cause from whence it proceeds, such as an ignorant zeal, which proceeds from some love to that which men call religion, but falsely ; and so the apostle saith, Rom. x. 2, ' I bear them witness that they have a zeal of God, but n…
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VeK. 139.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 469 [2.] Let us speak of the object of zeal. In three things God's interest lies in the world, viz., his truth, his worship, and his servants. Now it is not enough to have zeal that we do not oppose any of these, but they must be tenderly regarded and looked after, and we must be af…
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TeR. 139.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 471 his garments to be contaminated, and not his body sanctified), and he tore off his belt, renounced his honour, rather than he would do any- thing that should be contrary to his religion ; and for .this Julian sent him into banishment, and within a year and a few months, the stor…
1,260 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.