A51839:860
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.
Secondly, Because it is more hard to continue in Conversion, than to co•vert our selves at first. In our first Conversion we are more passive, it is God that converteth us, and draweth us to himself, and quickens, and plants us into Christ; but in Perseverance, ⟨p. 461⟩and fulfilling our Covenanting Duty, we are more active; it is our Work, though we perform it by God's Grace. An Infant in the Mother's Womb is nourished by the nourishment of the Mother, but afterwards he must suck, and seek his own Nourishment; and the elder he groweth, the more care of his Life is devolved upon himself. Now that which is more our work, is more difficult. It is true, that God that hath begun a good Work, doth perfect it, but not without our care, Phil. 1.6. When we are fitted and prepared unto good Works, God expecteth from us, that we should walk in them. God establisheth us in the Text, but it is in every good Work. Beside, in Conversion we make Covenant with God, but by Perseverance we keep Covenant with him. Now it is easier to consent to Conditions, than it is to fulfil them; the Ceremonies at first consent of Marriage are not so difficult, as to perform the duties of the Marriage Covenant: It is more easy to build a Castle in time of Peace, than to keep it in a time of War. Peter more easily consented to come to Christ upon the Water, but when he begun to try it, his Feet were ready to sink, Mat. 14.29, 30. When Winds and Waves are against us, alas, how soon do we fail? Therefore a good Spring doth not always foreshow a fruitful Harvest, nor plenty ⟨p. 462⟩of Blossoms store of Fruit. We are carried on with great Life and Earnestness for a while, in the profession of Religion, we consent to follow Christ; but when we meet with Difficulties not foreseen, or allowed for, we faint and are discourage.
Secondly, Because it is more hard to continue in Conversion, than to co•vert our selves at first. In our first Conversion we are more passive, it is God that converteth us, and draweth us to himself, and quickens, and plants us into Christ; but in Perseverance,