A51838:368
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 ...
A51838:368
Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons / by the late Reverend Tho. Manton ...
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.
III. What are the Graces, that enable us in this Resistance? I Answer, the three fundamental Graces, Faith, Hope, and Love, so the spiritual Armour is represented, 1 Thess. 5. 8. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breast-plate of Faith and Love, and for an helmet the hope of Salvation.
1. A strong Faith, 1 Pet. 5. 9. Whom resist, steadfast in the Faith. This is in the general a sound belief of Eternity, or a deep ⟨p. 209⟩sense of the World to come. When we believe the Gospel with an assent so strong, as constantly to adhere to the duties prescribed, and to venture all upon the hopes offered therein.
1. A strong Faith, 1 Pet. 5. 9. Whom resist, stedfast in the Faith. This is in the general a sound belief of Eternity, or a deep ⟨p. 209⟩sense of the World to come. When we believe the Gospel with an assent so strong, as constantly to adhere to the duties prescribed, and to venture all upon the hopes offered therein.
2. A fervent love arising out of the sense of our obligations to God, that we do with all readiness of mind set our selves to do his will, levelling and directing our actions to his glory. Love is strong as death, and many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it, Cant. 8. 6, 7. This love will neither be bribed, nor frightened from Christ.
2. A fervent love arising out of the sense of our obligations to God, that we do with all readiness of mind set our selves to do his will, levelling and directing our actions to his glory. Love is strong as death, and many waters cannot quench love, neither can the flouds drown it, Cant. 8. 6, 7. This love will neither be bribed, nor frightned from Christ.
3. A lively Hope, that doth so long and wait for glory to come, that present things do not greatly move us; either delights, 1 Pet. 1. 8. Whom having not seen ye love, in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; or the terrors of sense, Rom. 8. 18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed in us.
3. A lively Hope, that doth so long and wait for glory to come, that present things do not greatly move us; either delights, 1 Pet. 1. 8. Whom having not seen ye love, in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory; or the terrors of sense, Rom. 8. 18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed in us.
Christ was a pattern of this, The devil leaveth him, and behold! Angels came and ministered unto him. When God delivered his people after a long captivity, he delivered them with glory, and some kind of triumph, when he turned the Egyptian Captivity, they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver and jewels of gold and raiment. And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required; and they spoiled the Egyptians, Exod, 12. 35, 36. So in the Babylonian Captivity, Cyrus chargeth his subjects in the place where the Jews remain, to furnish them with all things necessary for their journey, Ezek. 1. 4. And whosoever remaineth in any place, where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the free-will-offering for the house of God, that is in Jerusalem. So in a private instance, Job 42. 10, 11. And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his Friends: also the ⟨p. 211⟩Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house, and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him; every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an ear-ring of gold. It is said the Lord turned the captivity of Job, because he had been delivered to Satan's power, till the Lord set him at Liberty again, and then all his Friends had compassion on him, even those that had despised him before relieved him. So Isaiah 61. 7. For your shame you shall have double, and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion; therefore in their Land they shall possess the double, Everlasting joy shall be unto them. They should have large and eminent Honour, double honour for their shame, such a reparation would God make them for all the troubles and damages they had sustained. So in an ordinary Providence God raiseth up comforters to his servants, after all the injuries done them by satan's instruments. And so also in spirituals the grief and trouble that cometh by Temptation is recompensed with more abundant consolation after the ⟨p. 212⟩
and God delighteth to put special marks of favour upon his people, that have been faithful in an hour of Trial. Now God doth this,
and God delighteth to put special marks of favour upon his people, that have been faithful in an hour of Tryal. Now God doth this,
1. To show the World the advantage of Godliness, and close adhering to him in an hour of temptation, Psalm 119. 56. This I had because I kept thy precepts. And Psalm 58. 11. So that a man shall say, verily there is a reward for the righteous, verily he is a God that judgeth in the Earth.
1. To shew the World the advantage of Godliness, and close adhering to him in an hour of temptation, Psalm 119. 56. This I had because I kept thy precepts. And Psalm 58. 11. So that a man shall say, verily there is a reward for the righteous, verily he is a God that judgeth in the Earth.
2. To check our diffidence and murmurings under trouble. Within a while and Gods Children will see, they have no cause to quarrel with God, or repent that they were in trouble. For sometimes God giveth not only a comfortable but a glorious issue. There is nothing lost by waiting on Providence, though we abide the blows of Satan for a while, yet abide them; God is it may be preparing the greater mercy for you, Isaiah 25. 9. And it shall be said in that day, lo! this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Afflictions are sharp in their season, but the end is glorious.
2. To check our diffidence and murmurings under trouble. Within a while and Gods Children will see, they have no cause to quarrel with God, or repent that they were in trouble. For sometimes God giveth not only a comfortable but a glorious issue. There is nothing lost by waiting on Providence, though we abide the blows of Satan for a while, yet abide them; God is it may be preparing the greater mercy for you, Isaiah 25. 9. And it shall be said in that day, lo! this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoyce in his salvation. Afflictions are sharp in their season, but the end is glorious.
Do not always reckon upon temporal felicity, refer that to God, but do as Jesus who in his sharp trials, Heb. 12, 2, 3. For the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God. There is a sure Crown of Life, James 1. 12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the Crown of Life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. That is enough to content a Christian, the eternal reward is sure. In this World he shall receive with persecution an hundred fold, but in the World to come Eternal Life, Mark 10. 29, 30. There is no man that hath left house or brethren or sisters, or Father, or Mother, or Wife, or Children, or Lands for my sake and the Gospels, but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, Houses, and Brethren and Sisters, and Mothers, and Children, and Lands with Persecutions, and in the World to come Eternal Life.
Do not always reckon upon temporal felicity, refer that to God, but do as Jesus who in his sharp tryals, Heb. 12, 2, 3. For the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God. There is a sure Crown of Life, Iames 1. 12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tryed, he shall receive the Crown of Life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. That is enough to content a Christian, the eternal reward is sure. In this World he shall receive with persecution an hundred fold, but in the World to come Eternal Life, Mark 10. 29, 30. There is no man that hath left house or brethren or sisters, or Father, or Mother, or Wife, or Children, or Lands for my sake and the Gospels, but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, Houses, and Brethren and Sisters, and Mothers, and Children, and Lands with Persecutions, and in the World to come Eternal Life.
He did so to Christ, he doth so to the people of Christ. Partly for the defence and comfort of the Godly, Ps. 34. 7. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them, Heb. 1. 14. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to them, who shall be the heirs of Salvation. Their Ministry is now invisible but yet certain. And partly also for the terror of their Enemies. When David had said, The Lord hath chosen the hill of Zion to dwell in, Psalm 68. 16. he adds verse 17. The Chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of Angels, implying, that no Kingdom in the World hath such defence, and such potent and numerous Armies as the Church hath, and the Kingdom of Christ; God hath fixed his residence there, and the Angels serve him, and attend upon him, and he will be no less terrible to his foes in Zion, that oppose the Gospel, than he showed himself in Sinai, when he gave the Law. Where the King is there his attendants are; so ⟨p. 215⟩where Christ is the Courtiers of Heaven take up their station. Now Christ is with his Church to the end of the World; therefore these thousands of Angels are there ready to be employed by him. Now we may be sure of this Ministry.
He did so to Christ, he doth so to the people of Christ. Partly for the defence and comfort of the Godly, Ps. 34. 7. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them, Heb. 1. 14. Are they not all ministring spirits, sent forth to minister to them, who shall be the heirs of Salvation. Their Ministry is now invisible but yet certain. And partly also for the terror of their Enemies. When David had said, The Lord hath chosen the hill of Sion to dwell in, Psalm 68. 16. he adds verse 17. The Chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of Angels, implying, that no Kingdom in the World hath such defence, and such potent and numerous Armies as the Church hath, and the Kingdom of Christ; God hath fixed his residence there, and the Angels serve him, and attend upon him, and he will be no less terrible to his foes in Sion, that oppose the Gospel, than he shewed himself in Sinai, when he gave the Law. Where the King is there his attendants are; so
1. They delight in the Preaching of the Gospel, and the explication of the mysteries of Godliness, 1 Pet. 1. 12. Which things the Angels desire to look into, Eph. 3. 10. To the end that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God.
2. They delight in the Holy Conversation of the Godly; as they are offended with all impurity, filthiness, and ungodliness. If good men be offended at the sins of the wicked, as Lots righteous soul was vexed from day to day with their ungodly deeds, 2 Pet. 2. 8. much more are these holy spirits, especially when all things are irregularly carried in the worship of God, 1 Cor. 11. 10. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head, because of the Angels, 1 Tim. 5. 21. I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the ⟨p. 216⟩Elect Angels, that thou observe these things, without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
2. They delight in the Holy Conversation of the Godly; as they are offended with all impurity, filthyness, and ungodliness. If good men be offended at the sins of the wicked, as Lots righteous soul was vexed from day to day with their ungodly deeds, 2 Pet. 2. 8. much more are these holy spirits, especially when all things are irregularly carryed in the worship of God, 1 Cor. 11. 10. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head, because of the Angels, 1 Tim. 5. 21. I charge thee before God and the Lord Iesus Christ, and the ⟨p. 216⟩Elect Angels, that thou observe these things, without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
3. They fight against the devil and defend the godly in their extreme dangers. When the devil cometh into the Church of God, like a Wolf into the flock, they oppose and resist him. Therefore there is said to be War in Heaven, that is in the Church between Michael and his Angels, and the devil and his Angels, Rev. 12. 7. And there was war in heaven, Michael and his Angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his Angels. In the highest heaven there is no War. In short the Angels and Believers, make one Church, under one Head, Christ; and at length shall both live together in the same place.
3. They fight against the devil and defend the godly in their extream dangers. When the devil cometh into the Church of God, like a Wolf into the flock, they oppose and resist him. Therefore there is said to be War in Heaven, that is in the Church between Michael and his Angels, and the devil and his Angels, Rev. 12. 7. And there was war in heaven, Michael and his Angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his Angels. In the highest heaven there is no War. In short the Angels and Believers, make one Church, under one Head, Christ; and at length shall both live together in the same place.
Christ was a pattern of this, The devil leaveth him, and behold! Angels came and ministred unto him. When God delivered his people after a long captivity, he delivered them with glory, and some kind of triumph, when he turned the Egyptian Captivity, they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver and jewels of gold and raiment. And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required; and they spoiled the Egyptians, Exod, 12. 35, 36. So in the Babylonian Captivity, Cyrus chargeth his subjects in the place where the Jews remain, to furnish them with all things necessary for their journey, Ezek. 1. 4. And whosoever remaineth in any place, where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the free-will-offering for the house of God, that is in Ierusalem. So in a private instance, Iob 42. 10, 11. And the Lord turned the captivity of Iob, when he prayed for his Friends: also the ⟨p. 211⟩Lord gave Iob twice as much as he had before. Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house, and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him; every man also gave him a piece of mony, and every one an ear-ring of gold. It is said the Lord turned the captivity of Iob, because he had been delivered to Satans power, till the Lord set him at Liberty again, and then all his Friends had compassion on him, even those that had despised him before releived him. So Isaiah 61. 7. For your shame you shall have double, and for confusion they shall rejoyce in their portion; therefore in their Land they shall possess the double, Everlasting joy shall be unto them. They should have large and eminent Honour, double honour for their shame, such a reparation would God make them for all the troubles and dammages they had sustained. So in an ordinary Providence God raiseth up comforters to his servants, after all the injuries done them by satan's instruments. And so also in spirituals the grief and trouble that cometh by Temptation is recompensed with more abundant consolation after the ⟨p. 212⟩conquest and victory;