A51839:159
XVIII sermons on the second chapter of the 2d Epistle to the Thessalonians containing…
XVIII sermons on the second chapter of the 2d Epistle to the Thessalonians containing the description, rise, growth, and fall of Antichrist : with divers cautions and arguments to establish Christians against the apostasy of the Church of Rome : very necessary for these times / by that late reverend and learned divine, Thomas Manton ...XVIII sermons on the second chapter of the 2d Epistle to the Thessalonians containing the description, rise, growth, and fall of Antichrist : with divers cautions and arguments to establish Christians against the apostacy of the Church of Rome : very necessary for these times / by that late reverend and learned divine, Thomas Manton ...
London: printed by J.D. for J. Robinson, 1679
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.
2. Because some require the time when this Apostasy began to be particularly assigned, and noted to them, and by what persons these corruptions were first introduced, or else deny that any such thing hath been. But the Case is clear: it began to work betimes, only it wrought in a mystery: but cannot we prove a man to be old, unless we prove the first moment when his grey Hairs began to appear, or his natural force to be abated? Who can tell every step of the progress of the corruption of the Jewish Church, and why should the like be required of the Christian? This Dunghill of corruption was not raised in one Age: and suppose that in tract of time Authors be forgotten, matters of Faith are not to be contradicted because of the defect of History, and yet Histories are not altogether wanting in the Case, only in things that came in by degrees, they are not necessary. In the introducing of the general Apostasy, some erred in the simplicity of their hearts, as the people followed Absalom, 2 Sam. 15.11. But shall we deny a thing to be done, because we cannot speak the particular moments of time, and circumstances of them when, and how it was done? Shall we say the pointer in the Dial passeth not, because we do not see its motion? Might not the Priests judge of a Leprosy, though ⟨p. 65⟩they knew not how it was contracted? Iniquity mystical did by degrees prevail.
2. Because some require the time when this Apostasy began to be particularly assigned, and noted to them, and by what persons these corruptions were first introduced, or else deny that any such thing hath been. But the Case is clear: it began to work betimes, only it wrought in a mystery: but cannot we prove a man to be old, unless we prove the first moment when his gray Hairs began to appear, or his natural force to be abated? Who can tell every step of the progress of the cor•uption of the Jewish Church, and why should the like be required of the Christian? This Dunghil of corruption was not raised in one Age: and suppose that in tract of time Authors be forgotten, matters of Faith are not to be contradicted because of the defect of Hi•tory, and yet Histories are not altogether wanting in the Case, only in things that came in by degrees, they are not necessary. In the introducing of the general Apostasy, some erred in the simplicity of their hearts, as the people followed Absolom,