A51839:444
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.
Uses. 1. Information. 1. To show us the reason why so many learned men are Captivated by Antichrist, and live yet in the Popish Religion, for this is a great scruple to many. The answer is ready, The Lord hath suffered them to be deluded by him whose coming is after the working of Satan in all power, &c. Rev. 17.2. The inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the Wine of her Fornication. It is an intoxication, the errors of that State are plausibly defended, and supported by Worldly Interests. There is the Witchery of Worldly allurements, and the intoxicating Wine of errors defended and owned within their bounds and places of their education and abode. So that men have seemed to lose their understandings, and not have that advisedness ⟨p. 220⟩which well becomes a man: possibly they may have doubts and checks of Conscience, but the name of the Church charmeth them, and Worldly magnificence strangely inveigleth them. They may know that the Religion professed by Protestants, is sincere, holy, and saving, but being allured by Licentiousness, or entangled by Covetousness, or puffed up with Pride, are loth to change, or are vanquished and astonished with fear of death and other inconveniences: or it may be do not use that advised and serious deliberation, which a matter of Salvation requireth. Four causes may be given. 1. Self-Confidence, God will show the folly of those that depend on the strength of their own wit, Pro. 3. 5, 6. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understandings. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. And therefore will bring to nought the wisdom of the wise, and destroy the understanding of the prudent, when it is lifted up against the Interests of Christs Kingdom, 1 Cor. 1.19. 2. Prejudice; The Priests and Scribes could readily tell that Christ was to be born in Bethlehem, when Herod sent to consult them, Matth. 2.4, 5, 6. yet who more obstinate against him, that was born there? They expected a temporal Messiah, and therefore could not see what they saw. What was apparent to Children, was a riddle to the Rabbis. ⟨p. 221⟩