A51838:347
Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons /
Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons / by the late Reverend Tho. Manton ...
A51838:347
Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons / by the late Reverend Tho. Manton ...
London printed : s.n., 1685
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. Comfort and encouragement to them that are under a gloomy day, this will not always last; he may try you for a while and you may be under great conflicts, and wants, and difficulties, as he tried the Woman of Canaan with discouraging answers, but at last, Woman! great is thy Faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt, Matth. 15. 28. He tried his Disciples, when he meant to feed the multitude, John 6. 5, 6. Whence shall we buy bread, that all these may eat? This he said to prove them, for he himself knew what he would do. A poor Believer is tried Children increase, Trading grows dead in hard times, how shall so many mouths be filled? He promiseth Abraham a numerous posterity, but for a great while he goeth ⟨p. 198⟩childless. He promiseth David a Kingdom yet for a while he is fain to shift for his Life, and skulk up and down in the Wilderness. He intended to turn water into Wine, but first all the store must be spent. He meaneth to revive the hearts of his contrite ones, but for a while they lye under great doubts and fears, Moses his hand must be made leprous before it wrought miracles. Jesus loved Lazarus and meant to recover him, but he must be dead first. But I must not run too far! There will be tedious conflicts and trials, but yet there is hope of deliverance; God is willing and God is able. He is willing, because he is sufficiently inclined to it by the grace and favour that he beareth his people, Psal. 149. 4. The Lord taketh pleasure in his people, he will beautify the meek with salvation. The Lord loveth their persons, and he loveth their Prosperity and Happiness, Psal. 35. 27. He hath pleasure in the prosperity of his Servants. He is able either as to wisdom or power. Wisdom, 2 Pet. 2. 7. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation. Many times we know not which way, but God knoweth, he is never at a loss. Then for his Power, power hath a twofold notion, of Authority, and Might. ⟨p. 199⟩He hath Authority enough, the sovereign Dominion of God is a great prop to our Faith, all things in the World are at his disposal to use them for his own Glory, Psal. 44. 4. Command deliverances for Jacob; Angels, Devils, Men, the Hearts of the greatest men are all at his command. He hath might and strength, Dan. 3. 17. Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, and what then can let?
1. Comfort and encouragement to them that are under a gloomy day, this will not alwayes last; he may try you for a while and you may be under great conflicts, and wants, and difficulties, as he tryed the Woman of Canaan with discouraging answers, but at last, Woman! great is thy Faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt, Matth. 15. 28. He tryed his Disciples, when he meant to feed the multitude, Iohn 6. 5, 6. Whence shall we buy bread, that all these may eat? This he said to prove them, for he himself knew what he would do. A poor Believer is tryed Children increase, Trading grows dead in hard times, how shall so many mouths be filled? He promiseth Abraham a numerous posterity, but for a great while he goeth ⟨p. 198⟩childless. He promiseth David a Kingdom yet for a while he is fain to shift for his Life, and skulk up and down in the Wilderness. He intended to turn water into Wine, but first all the store must be spent. He meaneth to revive the hearts of his contrite ones, but for a while they lye under great doubts and fears, Moses his hand must be made leprous before it wrought miracles. Jesus loved Lazarus and meant to recover him, but he must be dead first. But I must not run too far! There will be tedious conflicts and tryals, but yet there is hope of deliverance; God is willing and God is able. He is willing, because he is sufficiently inclined to it by the grace and favour that he beareth his people, Psal. 149. 4. The Lord taketh pleasure in his people, he will beautifie the meek with salvation. The Lord loveth their persons, and he loveth their Prosperity and Happiness, Psal. 35. 27. He hath pleasure in the prosperity of his Servants. He is able either as to wisdom or power. Wisdom, 2 Pet. 2. 7. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation. Many times we know not which way, but God knoweth, he is never at a loss. Then for his Power, power hath a twofold notion, of Authority, and Might. ⟨p. 199⟩He hath Authority enough, the soveraign Dominion of God is a great prop to our Faith, all things in the World are at his disposal to use them for his own Glory, Psal. 44. 4. Command deliverances for Iacob; Angels, Devils, Men, the Hearts of the greatest men are all at his command. He hath might and strength,
2. Patience, we must be contented with the Son of God to tarry his leisure, and undergo our course of trial; as Christ patiently continued till enough was done to instruct the Church, Isaiah 28. 16. He that believeth will not make hast. The people of God miscarry in their hast, Psal. 31. 22. I said in my hast, I am cut off, but thou heardest the voice of my supplication, Psalm 116. 11. I said in my hast all men are liars, even Samuel and all the Prophets who had assured him of the Kingdom. It will come in the best time when it cometh in God's time; neither too soon, nor too late; it will come sooner then your Enemies would have it, sooner than second causes seem to promise, sooner than you deserve, soon enough to discover the Glory of God to you, Psal. 40. 1. I waited patiently for the Lord, and ⟨p. 200⟩he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. God will not fail a waiting soul, his delay is no denial, nor a sign of want of love to you, John 11. 5. Jesus loved Lazarus, and yet verse 6. When he had heard that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. It may come sooner than you expect, Psal. 94. 18. When I said my foot slippeth thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. David was apt to think all was gone, help would never come more to him, and in that very season God delivered him.
2. Patience, we must be contented with the Son of God to tarry his leisure, and undergo our course of tryal; as Christ patiently continued till enough was done to instruct the Church, Isaiah 28. 16. He that believeth will not make hast. The people of God miscarry in their hast, Psal. 31. 22. I said in my hast, I am cut off, but thou heardest the voice of my supplication,
3. Obedience, the Son of God submitted to the Holy Spirit, while the impure Spirit tempted him. If you would look for a ceasing of the conflict, do as he did, carry it humbly, fruitfully, faithfully to God.
1. Humble carriage will become you under your conflicts, 1 Pet. 5. 6. Humble your selves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. The stubbornness of the Child maketh his correction double to what it otherwise would be. The more submissive you are, the more the cross hath its effect, whether you will or no, you must passively submit to God.
1. Humble carriage will become you under your conflicts, 1 Pet. 5. 6. Humble your selves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. The stubborness of the Child maketh his correction double to what it otherwise would be. The more submissive you are, the more the cross hath its effect, whether you will or no, you must passively submit to God.
2. Carry it fruitfully, otherwise you obstruct the kindness of the Lord. He proveth us, that we may be fruitful, John 15. 2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. The Rod hath done its work, when it maketh us more holy; then the comfortable days come, Heb. 12. 11. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them, which are exercised thereby. Righteousness brings peace along with it, inward and outward. This maketh amends for the trouble. Then God beginneth to take it off.
2. Carry it fruitfully, otherwise you obstruct the kindness of the Lord. He proveth us, that we may be fruitful, Iohn 15. 2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. The Rod hath done its work, when it maketh us more holy; then the comfortable dayes come, Heb. 12. 11. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them, which are exercised thereby. Righteousness brings peace along with it, inward and outward. This maketh amends for the trouble. Then God beginneth to take it off.
3. Carry it faithfully to God, still opposing sin and satan; for the more you give way to satan, the more you are troubled with him, and your misery is increased not lessened. But if you repel his temptations, he is discouraged, Eph. 4. 27. Neither give place to the Devil. The devil watcheth for a door to enter, and takes possession of your hearts, that he may exercise his former Tyranny. If he gaineth any ground he makes fearful havoc in the soul, and weakeneth ⟨p. 202⟩not only our comfort but our Grace. Therefore imitate Christs resolution and resistance here. But this will deserve a point by it self. Therefore
3. Carry it faithfully to God, still opposing sin and satan; for the more you give way to satan, the more you are troubled with him, and your misery is increased not lessened. But if you repel his temptations, he is discouraged, Eph. 4. 27. Neither give place to the Devil. The devil watcheth for a door to enter, and takes possession of your hearts, that he may exercise his former Tyranny. If he gaineth any ground he makes fearful havock in the soul, and weakneth ⟨p. 202⟩not only our comfort but our Grace. Therefore imitate Christs resolution and resistance here. But this will deserve a point by it self. Therefore
As here, when the adversary was put to the foil he went his way. Therefore this is often pressed upon us in Scripture, James 4. 7. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. If you resist his suggestions to malice, envy, and strife, he is discouraged. So 1 Pet. 5. 9. Whom resist steadfast in the Faith. We must not fly nor yield to him in the least, but stoutly and peremptorily resist him in all his temptations. If you stand your ground satan falleth. In this spiritual conflict satan hath only weapons offensive, cunning wiles, and fiery darts, none defensive; a believer hath weapons both offensive and defensive, sword and shield, &c. therefore our safety lieth in resisting.
As here, when the adversary was put to the foil he went his way. Therefore this is often pressed upon us in Scripture, Iames 4. 7. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. If you resist his suggestions to malice, envy, and strife, he is discouraged. So 1 Pet. 5. 9. Whom resist stedfast in the Faith. We must not fly nor yeild to him in the least, but stoutly and peremptorily resist him in all his temptations. If you stand your ground satan falleth. In this spiritual conflict satan hath only weapons offensive, cunning wiles, and fiery darts, none defensive; a believer hath weapons both offensive and defensive, sword and shield, &c. therefore our safety lyeth in resisting.
About which is to be considered, 1. What kind of Resistance this must be. 2. Arguments to persuade and enforce it. ⟨p. 203⟩3. What Graces enable us in this Resistance.
About which is to be considered, 1. What kind of Resistance this must be. 2. Arguments to perswade and enforce it. ⟨p. 203⟩3. What Graces enable us in this Resistance.
1. For the kind of Resistance.
1. It must not be faint and cold. Some kind of Resistance may be made by general and common Graces; the light of nature will rise up in defiance of many sins, especially at first before men have sinned away natural light, or else the Resistance at least is in some cold way. But it must be earnest and vehement as against the enemy of God, and our Souls. Pauls Resistance in his conflicts was with serious dislikes, and deep groans, Rom. 7. 19. The good that I would I do not, but the evil which I would not, that I do, and verse 24. Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death! In apparent cases a detestation, and vehement indignation is enough, get thee behind me Satan! In other cases there need strong Arguments and Considerations, that the temptation may not stick, when the tempter is gone; as the smutch remaineth of a candle stuck against a stone wall. When Eve speaketh faintly and coldly, the devil reneweth the assault with the more violence, Gen. 3. 3. Ye shall not eat of it, ⟨p. 204⟩neither shall ye touch it, lest ye dye. As to the restraint she speaketh warmly, and with some impatience of resentment, not eat, nor touch: in the Commination too coldly, lest ye dye, when God had said, ye shall surely dye. A faint denial is a kind of grant: therefore slight Satan's assaults with indignation. Though the dog barketh the Traveller passeth on. Satan cannot endure contempt. At other times argue for God stoutly; thy Soul and eternal concernments are in danger. No worldly concernment ought to go so near to us as that which concerneth our eternal good, and the Salvation of our souls. What would the devil have from thee but thy soul, and its precious enjoyments, Peace of Conscience, Hope of Everlasting Life? What doth he bid? worldly vanities. As the Merchant putteth up his wares with indignation, when the chapman biddeth an unworthy price.
1. It must not be faint and cold. Some kind of Resistance may be made by general and common Graces; the light of nature will rise up in defyance of many sins, especially at first before men have sinned away natural light, or else the Resistance at least is in some cold way. But it must be earnest and vehement as against the enemy of God, and our Souls. Pauls Resistance in his conflicts was with serious dislikes, and deep groans,
2. It must be a through resistance of all sin, take the little Foxes, dash Babylons brats against the stones. Lesser sticks set the great ones on fire. The devil cannot hope to prevail for great things presently: at first it is, hath God said? and then, ye ⟨p. 205⟩shall not surely dye. The approaches of Satan to the Soul are gradual, he asketh a little, it is no great matter. Consider the evil of a temptation is better kept out than gotten out. Many think to stop after they have yielded a little; but when the stone at the top of an Hill begins to role downward, it is hard to stay it, and you cannot say, how far you shall go. I'll yield but once saith a deceived heart; I'll yield but a little, and never yield again. The devil will carry thee further and further, till he hath not left any tenderness in thy Conscience. Some that thought to venture but a shilling, by the witchery of Gaming have played away all: so some have sinned away all principles of Conscience.
2. It must be a through resistance of all sin, take the little Foxes, dash Babylons brats against the stones. Lesser sticks set the great ones on fire. The devil cannot hope to prevail for great things presently: at first it is, hath God said? and then, ye ⟨p. 205⟩shall not surely dye. The approaches of Satan to the Soul are gradual, he asketh a little, it is no great matter. Consider the evil of a temptation is better kept out than gotten out. Many think to stop after they have yielded a little; but when the stone at the top of an Hill begins to role downward, it is hard to stay it, and you cannot say, how far you shall go. I'le yeild but once saith a deceived heart; i'le yield but a little, and never yield again. The devil will carry thee further and further, till he hath not left any tenderness in thy Conscience. Some that thought to venture but a shilling, by the witchery of Gaming have played away all: so some have sinned away all principles of Conscience.
3. It must not be for a while but continued; not only to stand out against the first assault, but a long siege. What Satan cannot gain by Argument, he seeketh to gain by importunity; but resist him steadfast in the Faith: as his instrument spake to Joseph, day by day, Gen. 39. 10. Our thoughts by time are more reconciled to evil. Now we must keep up our zeal to the last. To yield at last is to lose the Glory of the conflict. ⟨p. 206⟩Therefore rate away the importunate suitor, as Christ doth.
3. It must not be for a while but continued; not only to stand out against the first assault, but a long siege. What Satan cannot gain by Argument, he seeketh to gain by importunity; but resist him stedfast in the Faith: as his instrument spake to Ioseph, day by day, Gen. 39. 10. Our thoughts by time are more reconciled to evil. Now we must keep up our zeal to the last. To yield at last is to lose the Glory of the conflict. ⟨p. 206⟩Therefore rate away the importunate futor, as Christ doth.
II. Arguments to persuade it.
II. Arguments to perswade it.
1. Because he cannot overcome you without your own consent. The wicked are taken captive by him at his will and pleasure, 2 Tim. 2. 26. because they yield themselves to his temptations, like the young man, Prov. 7. 22. He goeth after her straightway, as an Ox goeth to the slaughter, and as a fool to the correction of the stocks. There is a Consent or at least there is not a powerful Dissent. Satan's power lieth not in a constraining efficacy, but persuasive allurement.
1. Because he cannot overcome you without your own consent. The wicked are taken captive by him at his will and pleasure, 2 Tim. 2. 26. because they yeild themselves to his temptations, like the young man, Prov. 7. 22. He goeth after her straightway, as an Ox goeth to the slaughter, and as a fool to the correction of the stocks. There is a Consent or at least there is not a powerful Dissent. Satan's power lyeth not in a constraining efficacy, but perswasive allurement.
2. The sweetness of victory will recompense the trouble of Resistance, it is much more pleasing to deny a temptation, than to yield to it; the pleasure of sin is short-lived, but the pleasure of self-denial is Eternal.
2. The sweetness of victory will recompence the trouble of Resistance, it is much more pleasing to deny a temptation, than to yield to it; the pleasure of sin is shortlived, but the pleasure of self-denyal is Eternal.