PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 9
Thomas Manton · 312,957 words · 314 reading sections
Section 241
4. Building upon false evidences, or upon sandy foundations. A formal professor may go very far towards salvation. Temporaries may have awakening grace, much trouble about their condition ; as Ahab and Judas. So many are full of doubts and stinging fears, and Vers. 7, 8.] sermons upon matthew xxv. 379 make their case…
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3. The same reasons that invited you to begin with Christ should invite you to go on with his service. If a little grace is desirable, surely more is desirable, because it is the adorning of the soul. Excel- lency in grace is a great means to convince and convert the world : Mat. v. 1G, ' Let your light so shine before…
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3. It is possible men may go down with a careless profession, and a blind confidence to the grave, but in God's judgment it will not hold out ; for the day of revelation and manifestation is hereafter, and every one is not in a safe condition that dieth in peace; or without actual 382 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SER. V…
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Doct. 1. Every one must get oil into his own lamp, or get grace of his own, or else in the day of his accounts the grace of others will do him no good. Secondly, From the reason, ' Lest there be not enough for us and you.' Doct. 2. They that have most grace have none to spare. Doct. 3. If we would get grace, we must…
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Veil 9.] sermons upon matthew xxv. 385 sticks may set a green one on fire : to which Christ is supposed to allude when he saith, ' If this be done to the green tree, what shall be done to the dry ?' Well, but bating these cases, we shall not be the better for others' righteousness, and this is often pressed in scriptu…
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Lastly, Consider the distinction Christ will make at the last day between persons of the same vicinity, family, religion : the one is taken, the other left. Now, to excite you to get grace into your own hearts, consider — 1. None is more near to you than yourselves. God hath made you guardians of your own souls. We r…
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388 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SeR. VII. wise it will not come into the view and notice of conscience, to make up an evidence there. [1.] I do suppose that conscience hath a vote in the matters of our peace, Rom. viii. 16. In the matters of our sense, Rom. ix. 1, the bosom witness is conscience ; the knowledge of our…
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9. Because of that conformity that should be between us and Christ, who is our glorious head ; and all the heirs of glory are destinated to be conformed to the first-born, Rom. viii. 24, chiefly in grace, purity, and holiness : indeed this cannot so full and exactly be till we see him as he is, but the present sight th…
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Use 2. Is to excite us : Phil. ii. 1 3, 14, ' Forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching to the things that are before, I press towards the mark of the high prize of God in Christ Jesus.' You have not answered your holy rule, nor done things worthy of your blessed hope, nor answerable to the great obligation…
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1. The certainty of Christ's coming. We heard before of a great expectation, of his tarrying, of the cry raised, now of his coming, he really came at last ; but of that point before. 2. Of the suddenness of his coming, by way of surprise on the carnal world. When the careless were little ready for him, he came ; when …
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394 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SER. VI Jl. as can be between creature and creature, which are equal in their being, notwithstanding the inequality of many extrinsical respects ; but in this distance between Christ and his people, the distance is between the Creator and the creature, the potter and the clay, the thing …
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[3.] It is spoken of with respect to its present state in this world. The relation is begun, but it is not publicly solemnised : 2 Cor. xi. 2, ' I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.' The church is sponsa, not uxor. Here by the offers of the gospel we are espoused, and…
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' If the Lord be with us, why are these things befallen us ? ' But then all is open and clear ; when the clouds vanish about Christ's per- son, so about us also. It is called ' the day of the manifestation of the sons of God,' Rom. viii. 19. 4. Then we are brought home to his house, conducted in state to heaven, John …
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5. Consider how ill Christ will take it to be refused : Prov. i. 29, 30, 'They would none of my counsel, and despised all my reproofs ;' and Ps. lxxxi. 11, 'But my people would not hearken to my voice ; Israel would none of me.' Despising of kindness is very provoking. Oh ! then, give Christ a free and a full and firm …
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1. I shall inquire what it is to be ready. 2. Show you why they only shall have eternal and immediate com- munion with Christ. First, What it is to be ready ? There is a twofold readiness — 1. A habitual and constant readiness. 2. An actual readiness, when you specially compose yourselves to meet with Christ. 1. O…
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[2.] When God summons us by his providence to make up our account: Luke xvi. 2, ' Give an account of thy stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer steward.' Many are about to go into the other world, but they do not think of making ready for it. The wrath of God is even at the door, and they are stupid and careless. Su…
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3. Others think a habitual readiness will serve the turn. They mind present duties, but do not enliven them by the remembrance of the coming of the Lord ; or they have not done their main work, and therefore take more liberty about the world than others, and a greater liberty in the delights of sense; and therefore we …
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Secondly, Here is the blandishment, and compellation used, Lord, Lord ! So Mat. vii. 21, ' Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doeth the- will of my Father which is in heaven ;' and ver. 22, ' Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord.' 1. Here is a titl…
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[1.] As they fall under the purposes of his grace. So it is said, 2 406 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SER. IX. Tim. ii. 12, ' The Lord knoweth them that are his.' This is also in scripture called his fore-knowledge : Rom. viii. 29, ' Whom he did foreknow, them he did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son …
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2. In point of obedience ; God presseth to now. God doth not only command us to please him, but to do it presently : Heb. iii. 7, 8, ' Now, while it is called to-day, harden not your hearts.' Pompilius the Pioman ambassador, when he made delays and excuses, the emperor drew a circle on the ground, saying, Intra hunc — …
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2. The terms of the gospel will not be more easy, and we better able to obey them hereafter than now we are. The laws of Christianity are always the same. The pleasures of sin must one day be renounced, or we are for ever miserable ; and why not now ? Sin will be as sweet hereafter as now it is ; and salvation dispense…
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1. How far carnal and unregenerate men desire happiness. 2. Why this is so little improved, and they make so little use of it. First, How far a carnal and unregenerate man may desire happi- ness ? 1. They may desire good confuse, non indefinite,'1 happiness in the general ; but this desire cometh under no deliberatio…
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Secondly, Why this is no more improved, and why we make no better use of it? There are four causes of it — (1.) Ignorance. To many the object is not represented ; as to heathens and to sottish Christians. (2.) Inconsideration. Spiritual objects must not only be represented, but enforced upon the will by the efficacy an…
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2. The reason, ' For ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh ; ' Mat. xxiv. 44, ' For in such an hour you think not of, the Son of man cometh.' Doct. The great duty that lieth upon them that believe and look for Christ's coming is watching. My business will be to show you what watching is i…
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[2.] There is besides this, hostis domesticus, the bosom enemy, the flesh, or the inbred corruption of our nature, that is ready to betray us to the basest temptations, and to open the gates to the enemy without. Man needeth no devil to tempt him, we have enough in our own bosoms to prompt and urge us to sin : James i.…
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V"eR. 13.] SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. 417 [2.] There is a watching in prayer, that the duty be performed with that seriousness, attention, and affection that the nature of it doth require. This watching is necessary because of the slipperiness of our hearts, which easily go off from the work in hand. We often mingle su…
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2. This watching consisteth in preparation. If we expect a thing to come, and do not prepare accordingly, we do not watch for it but neglect it. Now this preparation must be speedy, thorough, and con- stant. [1.] Watching implieth a speedy preparation. That we may be in a nt capacity to receive Christ at his coming, w…
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[3.] It must be a constant and daily preparation. You must not only get ready, but keep ready. Besides habitual preparation, there must be actual preparation. We must every day be more in a readi- ness. The sentinel is to watch all hours; it is death to be taken sleeping, though he hath watched all the night before : '…
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3. Consider when and how long we are to watch. The time is kept from our knowledge for this very end, that we may always be watch- ing: Mat. xxi. 36, 'Watch and pray always;' 2 Tim. iv. 5, 'But watch thou in all things.' There must be a constant and continual watch. When we are secure Ave lose our actual fitness, and o…
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For means to help us in this duty of watchfulness : — 1. Sobriety, or moderation in the use of all outward things : 1 Thes. v. 6, ' Therefore let us not sleep, as do others, but watch and be sober,' 1 Peter i. 13, iv. 7. 2. Go to God in prayer. Watching and prayer are often joined together. We are best kept when reco…
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Vers. 14, 15.] sermons upon matthew xxv. ' 425 Concerning Christ's being a lord and owner, let me give you these observations : — First, The power of Christ as an owner and free lord is to be dis- tinguished from his power as a governor and ruler. As a free lord, ' he hath mercy on whom he will have mercy.' As a gove…
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2. Neither doth God give it away by bestowing gifts upon the crea- ture ; for he hath given us only dispensationem, the employment of these things, not dominium, the sovereign power over them. Man hath nothing that is his own. As to life, it is clear man is not dominus vitce, but custos ; which is true not only of our …
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3. He hath a right of using and disposing all things thus in his 428 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SeR. XI. possession according to his own pleasure. Reason will tell us that the use, benefit, and utility of anything belongeth to him whose it is ; so God is the sole disposer of all things. As he made them for himself, s…
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Secondly, In the parable, this man, the owner, is represented as 'travelling into a far country,' and undertakes there to receive a king- dom, and disposing of all his interests till his return. This noteth Christ's ascension into heaven ; and the point will be — Doct. 2. That Christ at his departure appointed every m…
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Thirdly, The master in the parable giveth not the same measure Vers. 14, 15.] sermons upon matthew xxv. 431 of talents to each servant : Christ giveth not a like measure of grace to every one ; but to some more, to some less, as he thinketh expe- dient. Here are five talents, and two talents, and one talent, given to…
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[3.] There is a diversity as to the measure and degrees. Every barque that saileth to heaven doth not draw a like depth : there is ' the measure of the gift of Christ,' Eph. iv. 7 ; and ' the measure of every part,' ver. 16. To some it may be said, ' Great is thy faith ;' to others, ' 0 ye of little faith ! ' Some are …
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Use 1. Is to persuade us to employ our several talents for God, be they more or less ; none are to be idle : 2 Tim. ii. (3, ' Stir up the gift that is in thee.' 1. If we have but one talent, God expects the improvement of it : Adam in innocency had his work appointed him by God. vol. ix. 2 E 434 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW…
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2. Bona administrantia, subservient helps. Now these are of several sorts. 436 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SeR. XII. [1.] Either gifts of nature, both of the mind and of the body. Of the mind, as promptness of wit, clearness of the understanding, sound- ness of judgment, or solid wisdom; all these were given you of Go…
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Secondly, What is it to trade with them ? It implieth — 1. A conscionable use of all our gifts. 2. A diligent improvement of them to the ends for which they were intended. 1. That we should use them well and holily ; our graces well, our parts well, our estates well. Our gifts and graces are not for pride and ostent…
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Vers. It5-18.] sermons upon matthew xxv. 439 3. For the good of others, their edification and benefit ; as the sun doth not shine for himself, nor the fountains flow for themselves. We drive a joint-trade for heaven, and God hath scattered his gifts, that every part may supply somewhat for the good of the whole ; as e…
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Use 1. To press us to this negotiation ; for if these things be so, we should all rouse up ourselves, and say, What honour hath God by my wealth, my parts, my honour and greatness, my place and office? what protection to his cause, what relief and comfort to his people ? 1. Consider, it is our business in the world. N…
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442 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SfiR. XII. self,' and will never be a steward and factor for God. And this is to be wise for the present. But the wisdom we speak of is to be wise for the future, that it may be well with us to all eternity ; and that is the wisdom that is ' pure and peaceable/ and full of good fruits ; …
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Thirdly, Where the matter will afford it, a liberal and open heart will not be defective in quantity: they think nothing too much for God, and therefore will do all that they can ; all seemeth too little : 1 Chron. xxii. 14, ' And now behold, in my trouble (Heb. or poverty), I have prepared for the house of the Lord an…
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3. Observe, his crime is, ' he went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.' Men dig in the earth to find metals and talents, not to hide them there. Mark, it is not said he did embezzle his talent, as many waste their substance in riotous living, quench brave parts in excess, sin away many precious advantag…
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Use. Let us see if we be found in the number of the faithful or unfaithful. A negligent ministry, a Gallio, a careless magistrate, an idle master of a family, a slothful Christian, is like the servant in the text. You have your use whether you be in a public or private station. Let us be faithful ; if but one talent, t…
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[2.] Let us shame ourselves that, having so much time, we have done so little work. Our master hath tarried long, and given us a large space of time wherein to employ ourselves ; but what have we done for his glory ? Alas ! either we do nihil agere, or male agere, or aliucl agere ; either we do nothing, or nothing to t…
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2. It is a personal account : Rom. xiv. 12, ' So then every one of us vol. ix. 2f 450 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SER. XIII. shall give an account of himself to God.' We should not look to others what they be and do. As to ourselves, we must give an account of ourselves, our life, our heart, our own thoughts, words, a…
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Use. Is our account ready against that great day of audit ? Most neglect it, put off the thoughts of it. Take occasion hence to reckon with yourselves aforehand, and see what an account you can give to conscience. We should prepare more for this solemn day of reckoning, and therefore should take notice of what we do, a…
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Doct. That a faithful discharge of our duty will give us comfort and boldness when our Lord corneth to reckon with us. 1. There is a confidence and comfort that ariseth from a good con- Vers. 19-23.] sermons upon matthew xxv. 453 science, or from sanctification as well as justification. In the inward court, conscien…
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2. Others are pusillanimous and diffident, because they do not arrive at the eminency and perfection of the highest. David had other wor- thies besides the first three. There were two faithful servants ; one brought five talents, the other two. Now the middle is of those that can see in themselves more zeal than formal…
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(2.) In their own glorified estate : 1 Peter iv. 13, ' Rejoice inas- much as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.' So Jude : 456 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SSR. XIIL 1 Now unto him that is able to keep )rou from falling, and to present…
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3. To quicken us to diligence, let us often think of this. When God intended to give Canaan to Abraham, he biddeth him ' walk through the land, and view it,' Gen. xiii. 17. He hath promised to give the joys of heaven to us ; we should often consider it ; then en- couragement is no encouragement if it be not regarded. …
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Use 2. Is for the encouragement of poor weak Christians, who have the essentials of godliness, though they be weak, and have, not attained to the eminency of many others. These should not be dismayed ; there are persons of all sizes, and several degrees in heaven, and they are all possessed with the same common happine…
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2. From the pleasure God taketh in his own image. So much of the image of God as his creature hath, so far more amiable in the sight of God : ' The Lord delighteth in the upright,' Prov. xi. 20. If God delighteth in them, he delighteth more in one that is more holy and upright. Thus from God's holiness we may argue he …
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462 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SeR. XIV. Christians that have five or two talents must give an account for five or two ; but heathens, that have but one talent, the light of nature, give an account for one. The apostle telleth us, ' That as many as have sinned without the law, shall perish without the law, but as many…
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2. That this fear is begotten in us by a false opinion of God, that rendereth him dreadful, rigorous, and terrible to the soul. The ser- vant in the text dotli not only say, ' I was afraid,' but giveth a reason of it, ' I knew that thou wert an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sowed, and gathering where thou hast …
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[1.] That to preserve the sense of religion in the general, men would consider how much God standeth upon the credit of his good- ness, and that he giveth them no cause of discouragement as from him : Micah vi. 3, ' 0 my people, what have I done unto you, wherein have I wearied you ? ' That his commands are not grievou…
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3. The usual ill thoughts of God are these three — (1.) That he is rigorous in his commands; (2.) Niggardly and tenacious in his gills and helps of grace; (3.) And as to acceptance, that he is hard to please and easy to offend. All these may be gathered out of the words of the unfaithful servant, and all these lie deep…
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(2.) It is harsh, men think, to answer for Adam's fault, to which they were not conscious and consenting. But every man will find au Adam in his own heart : the old man is there wasting away the relics of natural light and strength ; and shall not God challenge the debt of obedience from a proud prodigal debtor ? We ar…
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1. That in his word God representeth himself by mercy and good- ness rather than any other attribute. Mercy is natural to him ; he is ' the father of mercies/ 2 Cor. i. 3. God is not merciful by accident, but by nature. The sun doth not more naturally shine, nor the fire more naturally burn, nor water more naturally fl…
1,045 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.