A51839:840
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.
Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present World. Now what is our business then, to beg comfort and assurance of God's Love? No, that would be our Bane, there is work for the Sanctifier rather than the Comforter, that the worldly Spirit may be subdued in us; there is need of Mortification rather than Assurance, that we may be crucified to the World, Gal. 6.14. But sometimes the World is a Persecuting World, and reproacheth and troubleth us with all manner of vexations, then there is work for the Comforter, to seal up to our Souls the Love of God, or Interest in Christ: John 16.33. These things have I spoken to you, that in me ye •ight have peace, in the World ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the World; and to become to our Souls the Earnest of eternal Glory. Comfort is for Tribulation; at other times we are glutted with it, but then it is our great support. When all t•ings fail, we feel the great necessity of the Joys of ⟨p. 451⟩Faith: It is good to time well our Duties; David saith, Psal. 56.3. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. So for the Flesh, it enticeth us, James 1.14. Every Man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own Lust, and enticed. Many times it draweth to Actual Sin by indulgence to its desires; yea, disposeth us often to Apostasy and falseness of Heart: for Apostasy usually begins at falseness of Heart, when the fleshly Mind and Interest is not throughly overcome. Well, when we are conscious to this, what shall we do in such a case? Certainly the great and proper Work, is to beg the Spirit, and implore the Spirit as a Sanctifier, and to be more obedient to his sanctifying Motions; Comfort will come in time. Well, but the Flesh is not only enticing, but troublesome and grievous to the Saints; witness Paul's groans, Rom. 7.24. Oh wretched Man that I am; who shall deliver me from the body of this Death? We are quite wearied, and tired out with the importunity of its motions; we would serve God more purely and perfectly: Then there is work for the Comforter, and confidence in his Operations to help the faithful Soul;