A51840:1153
A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…
A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture in two parts : part the first containing LXXIV sermons : part the second containing LXXVI sermons : with an alphabetical table to the whole / by ... Thomas Manton ...
London: printed by J. D., 1693
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.
But we are backward and slow; therefore here is the great Question, What shall we do to get and keep this great Comfort?
I shall give you a few Directions. Many rest in Notions; when they see the Way, they are discouraged, and go no farther. But will you engage, before the Lord, to observe these things, if you find them according to Scripture?
First; Then how to get these strong Consolations.
1. Lay a good Foundation, by meditating upon the Mercy and Truth of God in the Gospel. Our first Comfort ariseth from Meditation, or the serious Act of Faith on the Mercy and Truth of God; as settled Assurance ariseth from a sight of Evidence. ⟨p. 223⟩God usually gives us at first Conversion, a taste of his Goodness and Sweetness, which differeth from Assurance: 1 Pet. 2.2, 3. As new-born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby. If so be ye have sted that the Lord is gracious. Usually at first, when the Soul is taken up with deep Thoughts of God's Love and Mercy in Christ, God lets in some Comfort and Sweetness into the Soul; which though it be not Assurance, and a solemn Testimony of our Interest in Christ, yet it is a Refreshment which the Soul receiveth, while it admires the Riches, and the Bounty, and the Certainty of God's Grace. However this is a Taste, a Beginning, that maketh as look after a more assured sense of God's Grace. Briefly, there must be believing Thoughts of God's Mercy and Truth. I call this Meditation, because all the direct Acts of Faith are performed and carried on by the help of the Thoughts. Faith engageth us in solemn musing, and deep Thoughts fasten things upon the Spirit. As Eggs are hatched by a constant Incubation; so when the Soul museth, Comfort ariseth. The two things you should often propound, are Mercy and Truth, because they are the Ihin and Boa, the two Pillars which support the Covenant of Grace; for it was made in Mercy, and kept in Truth. Therefore it is said,