A51840:721
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.
Answ. That is an Offer of Nature after Ease, this is a Desire stirred up by the Spirit. Sometimes God's Children in their Passions desire to be taken out of the World, as Jonah 4.8. He fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. And Elijah, 1 King. 19.4. He requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is enough, now, O Lord, take away my Life; for I am not better than my Fathers. But this is but a shameful Retreat from Duty, and the Heat and Burden of the Day, and the Labours of the present Life; these are froward Thoughts, not sanctified Desires; Words of a feverish Distemper, not of Affection, but it comes from the Sickness and Weakness of their Souls. But this I speak of is a solid looking for, desire and longing for the glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ.
Answ. That is an Offer of Nature after Ease, this is a Desire stirred up by the Spirit. Sometimes God's Children in their Passions desire to be taken out of the World, as Ionah 4.8. He fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. And Elijah, 1 King. 19.4. He requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is enough, now, O Lord, take away my Life; for I am not better than my Fathers. But this is but a shameful Retreat from Duty, and the Heat and Burden of the Day, and the Labours of the present Life; these are froward Thoughts, not sanctified Desires; Words of a feaverish Distemper, not of Affection, but it comes from the Sickness and Weakness of their Souls. But this I speak of is a solid looking for, desire and longing for the glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ.
Use 1. It showeth what they are, who wish that it may never come. Some would be glad in their Hearts to hear such News, that Christ's Coming would never be; it is their Burden and Torment to think of it; as Felix trembled when he heard of Judgment to come. These Men have the Spirit of the Devil in them; if they had the Spirit of God in them, would it be so? Surely no. A carnal Man cannot say the Lord's-Prayer, for he is afraid he shall be heard. Optas ut veniat, quem times ne adveniat? saith Austin. How canst thou say, Thy Kingdom come, when thou art afraid lest God should come?