A51839:249
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. Where the ••rnal life is had in request and honour, there certainly is the mystery of Iniquity to be found, whatever pretences be put upon it: Now the carnal life is there had in request and honour. (1.) Where all is referred to Worldly gain and profit, and the whole frame of the Religion tendeth that way: for certainly they are Enemies to the Cross of Christ, whose God is their belly, and who mind earthly things, Phil. 3.19. Now Pardons, Indulgences, Purgatory, Shrines of Saints, what do they all tend unto but to make a merchandise of Religion? It was an old by-word, Omnia Romae venalia, all things may be bought at Rome, even Heaven, and God himself, &c. And these things are used, not only to open the peoples mouths in Prayer, but their hands in Oblations, and Offerings. The Complexion of their Religion is but a gainful Trade. But the Papal exactions and traffickings have been so much, and so loudly insisted upon, and the evil runneth out into so many branches, that I shall forbear. (2.) Where temporal greatness is looked upon as ⟨p. 120⟩the main prop of their Religion: The Kings Daughter is glorious within, rich in Gifts and Graces, Psal. 45.13. and Psalm 93.5. Holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, for ever. But the false Church is known by pomp and external splendour. It is easy to discern the true Ministers of Christ from the false; the true are known by being much in ••ours, much in afflictions, 2 Cor. 6.4, 5, 6. In all things approving our selves the Ministers of God, in much patience, afflictions, necessities, distresses▪ in labours, and watchings, and fastings; by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, &c. whereas the false Ministers are known by the life of pomp and ease; the rule is plain, Because self-denial is one of the great lessons of Christianity, and self-seeking the bane of it; therefore where men professedly seek the greatness of the World, they serve not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own Bellies.