A51839:829
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.
III. What advantages we have by this, that all solid Comfort is of God.
1. It assureth us of God's readiness to comfort poor afflicted Creatures, that humbly submit to him. He that is the God of all Comfort, is also the Father of Mercies, his Mercy and Compassion inclineth him to comfort us. God hath his Name from this effect; Nomina sunt à notioribus, God that comforteth those that are cast down, 2 Cor. 7.6. He is very tender of all Afflicted Creatures, much more of his People.
2. God's Comforts come with more Authority, and silence all our Doubts and Fears. Psal. 94.19. In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my Soul: We have many intricate perplexing thoughts, out of which we cannot disentangle our selves; no comforts come with such Authority and ⟨p. 442⟩Power, as God's Comforts. In the Comfort we have, it is good to consider whence it cometh: Is it God's Comfort, or a Fan•y of our own? If it be made up by our own Fancy, it will be like a Spider's Web, that is weaved out of its own Bowels, but is gone and swept away with the least turn of a Besom: but God's Comforts are more durable, they flow from the true Fountain of Comfort, upon whose Frowns, or Smiles, our happiness and misery dependeth. There is little warmth in a Fire of our own kindling. God's Comforts are built on his Covenant, and have a commanding force and over-powering efficacy on the Soul. God in his Word speaketh by Sovereign Authority, in our Hearts he worketh by powerful Efficacy. The Authority of his Word we own, when we speak to others, or to our selves, when we know trouble, but in supposition, or imagination: The Efficacy of his Grace we feel, when Trouble comes actually upon us; many that strengthen others, when it cometh upon them faint themselves.