A51839:839
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 5. Consider the ends why God giveth us Comfort; it is to fortify us against the Enemies of our Salvation, so far as they are vexing and troubling, and molesting us in the way to Heaven. The Spirit hath two great Offices, to be a Sanctifier, and Comforter, and both serve all the needs of Christians. When we are enticed to Sin, he helps us as a Sanctifier; when we are discouraged in God's Service, he helps us as a Comforter. And therefore Christians are to consider their condition, and what their present state requireth; for God dispenseth his Grace according to the Assaults made upon them by the Enemies of their Salvation. As for instance, Our Enemies are the Devil, the World and the Flesh, these we renounced in Baptism: ⟨p. 449⟩And in the progress of Christianity these are those with whom we conflict, and must overcome. As for instance; The Devil is a tempting Devil, who seeketh to draw away the Saints from God; and by the love of the Flesh, to weaken our Love and Obedience to our proper and our rightful Lord. Now what are we to do in this case, to beg Comfort and Peace, that we may not be troubled, though we yield unto his Temptations? Alas! this were to turn the Grace of God into Wantonness: No, we are to be sober and watchful, 1 Pet. 5.8. to use all the Rules of Sobriety and Vigilancy, that our Worldly Comforts may not be a snare to us. Sobriety is an Holy Moderation in the use of all earthly things. Vigilancy is an Holy Diligence, and seriousness in the use of Means; and also add to both, the help of the Sanctifying Spirit, that we may keep up our Love to God, and be faithful in our Obedience to him. But the Devil is not only a tempting Devil, but a vexing and disquieting Devil, who accuseth us before God day and night, Rev. 12.10. raiseth in us many troublesome Fears, to make our Service uncomfortable, and tire us, and clog us. What is our Duty then? to beg the help of the Comforter, not only to show Love to God, but that we may have some persuasion of his Love to us, and quench ⟨p. 450⟩his fiery Darts, that we may go on cheerfully in our Work, because the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly, Rom. 16.20