A51839:607
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.
for though your Eye doth not discover it, nor doth an ignorant Man know any certain demonstration of it; yet having the authority of Learned Men, who are competent Judges in the case, you judg it a rash and foolish obstinacy not to believe it. Apply it now to the Mysteries of Godliness revealed in the Gospel, they cannot be seen with the Eye, for they are invisible; nor found out and comprehended by any humane understanding, because they exceed the reach of Man's Reason, and depend upon the Love and Arbitrary Will of God, John 3.16. yet you believe them, because God hath revealed them to the Prophets and Apostles: And God being Truth and Wisdom it self, cannot deceive, or be deceived; and therefore you believe them with the certainty of Divine Faith, and do no more doubt of them, than you do of those things which you see with your Eyes, and know and understand by a sure demonstration. ⟨p. 327⟩The sense of Seeing may be deceived, and Humane Reason may err; but 'tis impossible God should deceive, or be deceived. It oftentimes falleth out, that Men do prefer the authority and report of a Man whom they judg to be Wise and Good, before their own Sense and Reason. As for Instance: That Man who by his Eye judges the Sun to be less than the Earth, yet doth not obstinately stand in his Opinion, when he hears a knowing and skilful Philosopher assert the contrary. Now, If we receive the witness of Men, the Witness of God is greater, 1 John 5.9. And this Testimony of God is brought to us, by his Authorized Messengers, as the ground of Faith: And what is that but Tradition? We believe in God by hearing of him, and we hear by a Preacher, Rom. 10.14. Ordinary common Preachers give us notice, but Christ and his Apostles give us assurance; and by their Testimony and Tradition, our Faith ultimately resolved into the veracity of God.
for though your Eye doth not discover it, nor doth an ignorant Man know any certain demonstration of it; yet having the authority of Learned Men, who are competent Judges in the case, you judg it a rash and foolish obstinacy not to believe it. Apply it now to the Mysteries of Godliness revealed in the Gospel, they cannot be seen with the Eye, for they are invisible; nor found out and comprehended by any humane understanding, because they exceed the reach of Man's Reason, and depend upon the Love and Arbitrary Will of God,