A51839:788
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.
Use 1. To persuade you to get this Hope of Eternal Life wrought in your hearts.
Vse 1. To persuade you to get this Hope of Eternal Life wrought in your hearts.
1. This is the Characteristic and Note of Difference betwixt God's People and others: By this we are distinguished from Pagans, who are described to be such as have no hope, and without God in the World, Ephes. 2.12. And 1 Thess. 4.13. Sorrow not as them without hope. But Christians are such as have good Hope through Grace, and by this we are distinguished from temporary and slight ⟨p. 421⟩Believers. Heb. 3.6. His House we are, if we hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of Hope firm unto the end. So also, Ver. 14. If we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. Their Hope is slight and fluid, the Temporary loseth his Joy and Comfort, which he conceived in the offers of the Gospel, and so either casts off the profession of Godliness, or neglecteth the Power and Practice of it: But the true Christian is Serious, Patient, Heavenly, and Holy; because he is alway looking to his End, and sweeteneth his Work by his great Hope, keepeth up his Taste or lively expectation of the Mercy of Christ to everlasting Life. Nay, this differenceth the Children of God, those that are in their Conflict, from those that are in their Triumph, the Sanctified and Glorified; those that are in their Way, and those that are at Home: They that are at Home are enjoying what we expect, and in possession of that Supreme Good, that we yet hope for; they have neither Miseries to fear, nor Blessings to desire, beyond what they do enjoy; they see what they love, and possess what they see. But the time of our Advancement is not yet come, and therefore we can only look and long for it; this is our Work and present Happiness.