A51839:852
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.
1. With respect to the Power wherewith ⟨p. 455⟩we are assisted; there is Habitual Confirmation, and Actual Confirmation.
(1.) The Habitual Confirmation is, when the habits of Grace are more settled and increased; 1 Pet. 5.10. The God of all Grace Strengthen, Stablish, Settle you. God hath effectually called and converted them, and he beggeth the strengthening of the Grace which they had received. Now thus we are established, when Faith, Love, and Hope, are increased in us; for these are the Principles of all Spiritual Operations; and when they have gotten good strength in us, a Christian is more established. (1.) Faith is necessary, for we stand by Faith; Rom. 11.20. Because of unbelief they were broken off, but thou standest by Faith: We do not only live by it, but stand by it, and are kept by it; 1 Pet. 1.5. Who are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation. He is strong, that is, strong in Faith, as Abraham was, that believeth the Gospel, and can venture his All upon it, and trust himself in God's hands whatever befalleth him. Luke 22.32. I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not. That was the Grace likely to be assaulted, and would most keep him: had he bin persuaded that Jesus was the Son of God, would he have denied him with Oaths and Execrations? (2.) Love is strong; We are told, Cant. 8.6. That Love is as strong as Death; many Waters cannot quench it; If a man ⟨p. 456⟩would give all the substance of his House, it would utterly be contemned. It will not be bribed, or quenched. Our Backsliding cometh from losing our complacency in, or desire of God. There is an averseness from Sin, and zeal against it, as long as we have a sense of our Obligations to God, and a value and esteem of his Grace in Christ; then we continue in delightful obedience to him, and level and direct our actions to his Glory. (3.) Hope is necessary to stablish the Soul on the promise of Eternal Life. For this is the sure and steadfast Anchor of the Soul.