A51839:174
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.
1. Coldness in duties, when the will and affections grow more remiss, and the worship of God which keepeth up the remembrance of him, is either omitted, or performed perfunctorily, and in a careless and stupid manner, Jer. 2.32. My people have forgotten me days without number. Job 27.10. Will he always call upon God, will he delight himself in the Almighty? God chargeth Israel with growing weary of him, and it began in not calling upon him, Isa. 43.22. Now when you seldom think or speak of God, and do not keep up a delightful Communion with him, there is a falling away.
2. Boldness sinning, when men lose their tenderness and strictness, and the awe of God is lessened in their hearts; and they do not only sin freely in thought, but freely in act, have not that hatred of sin, and watchfulness that formerly, but more abandon themselves to a carnal life. You are falling off from God a-pace, 2 Pet. 2.20. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the World, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome; the latter end is worse with them than the beginning: At first the heart checked you for sin, but you did not ⟨p. 76⟩kindly come off, were not troubled about it, hoped God would pardon it; and then you are bold to venture again, and so by degrees are entangled in the sensual and worldly life. Now consider the causes of it: 1. Want of Faith in God, Heb. 3.12. Take heed Brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. You have not a sound belief of his being and presence. 2. Want of love to God,