A51839:511
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. That we are to give thanks, chiefly for Spiritual and Eternal Mercies. Eph. 1.3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings, in heavenly places in Christ. For we cannot give thanks rightly without a just esteem of the Mercy we give thanks for. But spiritual and eternal Mercies, do much excel those that are temporal and transitory. We are bound to bless the Lord for temporal Favours, and the Comforts of this Life, but a renewed Heart is most taken up with spiritual and heavenly Blessings. A Man may give thanks carnally, as well as pray carnally. A carnal Man in Prayer giveth vent to the desires of the Flesh. James 4.3. So in Blessing God, he may speak from the relish of the Flesh: though usually carnal Men, seldom give thanks to God. Hosea 12.8. I am become rich, I have found me out Substance, &c. Surely Spiritual Blessings should have the preeminence, because they concern our well-being, and they discriminate us from others, which temporal Mercies do not. Eccl. 9.1, 2. For all this I considered in my Heart, even to ⟨p. 278⟩declare all this, that the Righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the Hand of God; no Man knoweth either Love or Hatred, by all that is before them. All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good, to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not; as is the Good, so is the Sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an Oath. The wicked have many of these Mercies. Psal. 17.14. From Men of the World, which have their portion in this Life, and whose Belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of Children, and leave the rest of their Substance to their Babes. And they may own God in them as pleased, and well satisfied with the prosperity of the Flesh, or a desirous to have more.
2. That we are to give thanks, chiefly for Spiritual and Eternal Mercies.