A51839:431
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.
3. There is an active providence which raiseth ⟨p. 210⟩such instruments, and propoundeth such objects, as meeting with a naughty heart, do sore blind it. (1.) For instruments, Job 22.16. The deceived and the deceiver are hi•. Take it in Worldly, or take it in Religious matters, mans deceiving others, or being deceived by others, it is of God; for it is said, both are his; not only his Creatures, but subject to the government and disposal of providence, how and whom they shall deceive, and how far they shall deceive. So Ezech. 14.9. If the Prophet be deceived that hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived him. This is a great transaction in the World, a sad judgment not to be cavilled, but trembled at. For mans ingratitude, God raiseth up false Prophets to seduce them that delight in lies, rather than in the truths of God. (2.) For objects, wicked instruments varnish and dress up this cause▪ with all the art they can, to make it a powerful deceit, and then it is befriended and countenanced by the powers of the World, and so easily prevaileth with them, who are moved either with worldly hopes or fears, and have debauched their Conscience by worldly respects. God saith, Jer. 6.21. I will lay stumbling blocks before this people. If we will find the sin, God will find the occasion: If Judas hath a mind to buy his Master, he shall not want Chapmen to bargain with him; the Priests were consulting to destroy Christ at the ⟨p. 211⟩same time that the Devil put it into his heart, Matth. 26.3 being Alarmed by the Miracle of raising Lazarus. Birds and Fishes are easily deceived with such baits as they greedily catch at, so God by his just vengeance ordereth such occurrences and occasions as take with a naughty and carnal heart.
3. There is an active providence which raiseth