A51842:237
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.
4. To bring us to lye at his feet: God will be owned not only as a Law-giver, but as a fountain of Grace. The precept cometh from God to drive us to God; his Sovereignty maketh way for his grace. He calleth upon us for obedience, that we may call upon him for help. First, he giveth us a Law, that he may afterwards give us an heart. Gods end is to bring us upon our knees. As hard Providences conduce to bring God and us together, so do hard Commandments. Till we be reduced to a distress, we never think seriously of dealing with God.
4. To bring us to lye at his feet: God will be owned not only as a Law-giver, but as a fountain of Grace. The precept cometh from God to drive us to God; his Soveraignty maketh way for his grace. He calleth upon us for obedience, that we may call upon him for help. First, he giveth us a Law, that he may afterwards give us an heart. Gods end is to bring us upon our knees. As hard Providences conduce to bring God and us together, so do hard Commandments. Till we be reduced to a distress, we never think seriously of dealing with God.
Use. It teacheth us what to do when we meet with any thing that is difficult and impossible to us; as to repent, believe, to renounce a bewitching lust, or perform a spiritual duty. Two ways we are apt to miscarry in such a case; either by murmuring against God, as if he were harsh and austere, and had reaped where he hath not sown, and gathered where he hath not strewed: or by casting off all out of a foolish despondency: Cut at heart, or else wax faint: These are the two evils. I shall never get rid of this naughty heart. Or else we fret against God, Prov. 19. 3. The foolishness of man perverteth his way, and his heart fretteth against the Lord. Now to prevent these evils, spread the case before the Lord in this manner.