A51839:405
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.
Faith alone is but as sight, and Faith with Love is as taste. Now it is more easy to dispute a man out of his belief, that only seeth, than it is him that tasteth, and knoweth the grace of God in truth. This is the true reason of the steadfastness of weak and unlearned Christians, though they have not such distinct conceptions, and reasonings, as ma•y learned men have; yet their Faith is turned into love, and a man is better held by the heart than by the head: And though they cannot dispute for Christ (as one of the Martyrs said) they can die for Christ. But alas, many receive the truth in the light thereof, but few receive it in the love of it, and so lie open to deceit.
Faith alone is but as sight, and Faith with Love is as tast. Now it is more easy to dispute a man out of his belief, that only seeth, than it is him that tasteth, and knoweth the grace of God in truth. This is the true reason of the stedfastness of weak and unlearned Christians, though they have not such distinct conceptions, and reasonings, as ma•y learned men have; yet their Faith is turned into love, and a man is better held by the heart than by the head: And though they cannot dispute for Christ (as one of the Martyrs said) they can die for Christ. But alas, many receive the truth in the light thereof, but few receive it in the love of it, and so lie open to deceit.
4. This love must not be a sleight affection, for that will soon vanish, but we must be rooted and well grounded, and have a good strength. The stony ground had some love to the word, Matth. 13.20, 21. But he that receiveth the word in stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet he hath not root in himself, but dureth but a while, for when Tribulation of Persecution riseth, because of the word, by and by he is offended. So also of the Thorny ground. He heareth the word, and the care of this World, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word,