A51839:608
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 holding this Tradition is the great means of standing fast in the Faith of Christ, and the Confession of his Name. For in the Word of God delivered by Christ, and his Apostles, there is sure Direction to walk by; and sure Promises to build upon. For whatever they made known of Christ was not a Fable, but a certain Truth; for they had the Testimony ⟨p. 328⟩of Sense, 2 Pet. 1.16, 17. 1 John 1.2, 3, 4. and so could plead both the Authority of his Command, and the certainty of his Promise, and that with uncontrollable Evidence; and without this relation, there can be neither Faith, nor Obedience, nor sure expectation of Happiness. For we cannot trust God for what he hath not Promised, nor obey God in what he hath not Commanded; nor in our Difficulties and Distresses, expect Happiness from him without his Warrant and Assurance. But by this Doctrine delivered to us, we have all that belongeth to Faith, Obedience, and Happiness; and beyond that the Creature can desi•e no more. 1. There can be no Faith till we •ave a sure Testimony of God's Revelation; for Faith is a believing such things as God hath Revealed, because he hath Revealed them. 'Tis not Faith but Fancy, to believe such things as God hath never Revealed; n•r is it trust and a regular confidence to thi•k, that he will certainly give us what he hath never promised; this were to lay us open to all manner of Delusion: And therefore we are never upon sure and stable ground, but by sticking so such a Tradition, as may justly entitle it self to God. 2. Nor Obedience; for Obedience is a doing what God hath Commanded, because he hath Commanded it. The fundamental reason of Obedience, is the sight of ⟨p. 329⟩God's Will, 1 Thess. 4.3. 1 Thess. 5.18.