A51839:725
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.) There is Special Love, where this Grace is applied to us. Ephes. 2.4, 5. But God who is rich in mercy, for his great Love, wherewith he loved us, hath quickened us, when we were dead in Trespasses and Sins. He did not begin to love us when we were converted, that is of a more ancient and eternal Rise, but when he did begin to apply his Love to us; and this is no ordinary, but great Love, when God was angry with us, and pronounced Wrath on us in the Sentence of the Law, and appeared as an Enemy in the course of his Providence, and the apprehensions of our guilty Fears, then to be Reconciled; and surely this is a great advantage to draw nigh to God as a Reconciled Father. This is the Object of our everlasting Love and Joy, Rom. 5.11. And not only so, but we also joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the Atonement: And this is a prop of confidence in Prayer. Could ⟨p. 386⟩we once believe that he dearly loves us, and is reconciled to us, and taketh us for his Children, that he delighteth in our Prosperity; Oh how cheerfully could we come into his Presence! John 16.27. The Father himself loveth you, because you have loved me, and believe that I came out from God. They have not only his Intercession, but the Father's especial Love, which is the ground and hope of Audience. Now this particular Interest dependeth on something wrought in our Souls by the holy Spirit; our Lord mentioneth two things, their Faith in Christ, and Love to God. (1.) Faith in Christ, or a thankful acceptance of him, as our Lord and Saviour, therefore called receiving Christ, and entitleth us to the Privileges of Christ's Children. John 2.12. To as many as received him, to them gave he liberty to become the Children of God, even to as many as believe in his Name. (2.) Love to God. John 14.21. He that hath my Commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and be that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and manifest my self to him. And Vers. 23. If any Man love me, he will keep my Words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. We cannot perceive our Interest in the special Love of God, but by our Sincerity, Faith in Christ, and Love to God. When we see God's Love taken in our Hearts,