A51842:219
One Hundred and Ninety Sermons on Psalm 119
One hundred and ninety sermons on the hundred and nineteenth Psalm preached by the late reverend and learned Thomas Manton, D.D. ; with a perfect alphabetical table directing to the principal matters contained therein.
London: printed for T.P. &c, 1681
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.
2. The manner is the great thing which God requires, it is very valuable upon several grounds, Prov. 16. 2. The ways of man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits. What doth God put into the balance of the Sanctuary when he comes to make a judgment? When he would weigh an action he weighs the spirits; he considers not only the bulk, the matter of the action, but the spirit, with what heart it was done. A man may sin in doing good, but he cannot sin in doing well; therefore the manner should be looked to as well as the matter.
2. The manner is the great thing which God requires, it is very valuable upon several grounds, Prov. 16. 2. The ways of man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits. What doth God put into the ballance of the Sanctuary when he comes to make a judgment? When he would weigh an action he weighs the spirits; he considers not only the bulk, the matter of the action, but the spirit, with what heart it was done. A man may sin in doing good, but he cannot sin in doing well; therefore the manner should be looked to as well as the matter.
3. It's a good help against slightness; We are apt to put off God with any thing, and therefore we had need to rouse up our selves to serve him with diligence. Josh. 24. 19. You cannot serve the Lord for he is a jealous God, &c. It is another matter to serve the Lord than the world thinks of, why? for he is holy and jealous; he is holy and so hates the least failing; and very jealous, sin awakens the displeasure of his jealousy, he will punish for very little failings. Ananias and Sapphira struck dead in the place for one lye. Zechariah struck dumb for an act of unbelief. Moses for a few rash words never entered into the land of Canaan. David for a proud conceit in numbering the people lost seventy thousand men with the Pestilence. The Corinthians many of them died for unworthy receiving. God is the same God still, he hates sin as much as ever, therefore we should not be slight.