A51839:464
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. When though they should not err fundamentally, they so far debauch Christianity, as that God giveth them up to believe a lie, and to take pleasure in unrighteousness, that is, to defend and maintain apparent corruptions of Christian Doctrine and Worship. Of Doctrine, for it is here said, they believe a lie, and they believe not the truth. Of worship, for it is said, they take pleasure in unrighteousness. A party thus given up by God we should shun as we would shun a Plague, or come out of Bedlam; for these men have lost their spiritual wits, and •ee not that which the common light of Christianity doth disprove; however they retain the name of Christians, and make a cry of the Church, the Church, as the Jews did of the Temple of the Lord, and retain some truth among them; for such a party is here described.
4. When there is gross negligence, or not taking pains to know better. It is equivalent to reluctation, or standing out against light, Crassa negligentia dolus est; there is a deceit in laziness or affected ignorance, Joh. 3.20. They will not come to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved: 2 Pet. 3.5. They are willingly ignorant. Those that please themselves in the ignorance of any truth, err not only in their minds, but their hearts. It is the duty of Gods people to understand what is his will, Eph. 5.7. Be not unwise but understanding what the will of ⟨p. 232⟩the Lord is. And it is their practice. Rom. 12.2. That ye may prove, what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God: Psal. 1.2. His delight is in the law of the Lord, and therein doth he meditate day and night. We should be searching still. But when men will not know what they have a mind to hate, it argueth a secret sore, and suspicion of the truth, and are loth to follow it too close, lest it cross their lusts and interests.