A51839:408
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.
otherwise men only keep within compass for a ⟨p. 195⟩while, but they have the root of sin within them still. Or it may be novelty; as our Lord telleth the Jews: John was a burning and shining light; and ye were willing to rejoice in his light for a season. John was an eminent man for pureness of Doctrine, and vigour of Zeal and the more corrupt sort of Jews, Pharisees as well as others, admired him for a while, but they soon grew weary of him, it was a fit of zeal for the present. Lastly, This love may be to the excellency of gifts, bestowed upon some Minister or Instrument, whom God raiseth up, or some countenance of great men given to their Ministry, may stir up some love and attendance on their Ministry, and some respect is given for their sakes, when men have no sound grace in their hearts. There is a receiving of the word, as the word of man, and a receiving of the word, as the word of God, as the Apostle intimateth, 1 Thess. 2.13. The receiving of the word as the word of man, so it worketh only an humane passion, a delight in the gifts of the Ministry used, Ezech. 33.32. Thou art to them as a lovely Song of one that hath a pleasant voice. Then there is a receiving it as the word of God, and then we receive it with much assurance and joy in the Holy Ghost, 1 Thess. 1.5. Our Gospel came to you, not in word, but in power, •nd much assurance and joy in the Holy Ghost. Now if we do not receive the truth upon Gods recommendation ⟨p. 196⟩and confirmation, we do not love truth as truth; our contest is not who hath most wit and parts, but most grace. 5. They do not receive the love of the truth when it doth not produce its solid effects, which is a change of heart and life: And they are not brought by the Gospel to a sincere repentance and conversion to God, or receive the truth so as to live by it: but whilst they have the names of Christians, have the lives and hearts of Atheists and Infidels. These were those that debauched Christianity, and meritoriè and effectivè, by their provocations and negligence, brought this degeneracy into the Church and Judgment on the Christian World. Certainly a man hateth that Religion, which he doth profess when he will not live by it: This perfidiousness and breach of Covenant, was that which provoked God to permit these delusions in the Church. The worldly, sensual, carnal Christians, that hate that life which their Religion calleth for.