A51839:443
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.
2. The Act is, that they are given up to believe ⟨p. 218⟩a lie: This must be applied to their erroneous Doctrines, as common to them all. To their false Miracles and Calumnies, not to the Inventers, but to the seduced, who swallow these things. All that oppose the truth do not go apparently against Conscience, but being given up to the efficacy of error▪ they may believe that false Religion wherein they live. Let us open the Term believe. What is it to believe a thing? you may know •y the opposites. Now opposite to Faith, there is first doubtfulness, when men halt between two opinions, 1 Kings 18.21. If the Lord b• God, follow him, but if Baal, then follow him. This doubtfulness proceedeth from want of bringing the Case to a Trial, and through Hearing. 2. Conjecture, Acts 26.28. Almost persuaded, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 3. Opinion, Matth. 13.14. Hath not root in himself, but dureth for a while, &c. 4. Firm persuasion. They will censure nothing, for if of truth, Joh. 6.69. We believe and are sure, &c. if of error, Acts 26.9. I verily thought with my self that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 5. Resolved adherence, if to the truth, that is called receiving the truth in the love of it: If to error, it is seen in mens obstinacy and zeal suffering in it, 1 Kings 18.28. Cutting themselves with Knives and Lances till blood gushed out. Suffering for it. For a man may give his body ⟨p. 219⟩to be burned for an error, a man may sacrifice a strong body to a stubborn mind: