A51839:300
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.
Now the Reasons may be these.
1. God hath a Ministry and use for him, and the abetters of his Kingdom, as he hath an use for the Devil himself, therefore permitteth him some limited power, but yet he holdeth him in the Chains of his invincible Providence; so hath he a use for the Devils eldest Son, for Antichrist, and Antichristian Adversaries, which if their power were wholly gone could not be performed, as
1. God hath a Ministry and use for him, and the abetters of his Kingdom, as he hath an use for the Devil himself, therefore permitteth him some limited power, but yet he holdeth him in the Chains of his invicible Providence; so hath he a use for the Devils eldest Son, for Antichrist, and Antichristian Adversaries, which if their power were wholly gone could not be performed, as
1. To scourge his people for their sins, as their contempt of the Gospel, and wantonness under the several privileges, which they enjoy by it: God will not want a rod to scourge his disobedient Children, as Isa. 10.5 he calleth the Assyrian the rod of his Ange•, the Instrument that he maketh use off to punish those with whom he is angry; and again, the staff of his Indignation, the Staff is an heavier and sorer instrument of correction than a Rod: what the Assyrian was to the Jews, that Antichrist is to professing Christians; God useth him, till he hath sufficiently chastised his Children, and then he will cast this Rod into the Fire; Heathens and Turks are at a distance from us, our miseries will come from Antichristianism, who are nearer at hand to execute the Lords vengeance when we grow wanton.