A51842:332
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
Title page: Internet Archive scan of the Early English Books microfilm
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.
Well then, upon these grounds you see the Execution is not only Judgment, but the very Law is Judgment. A man that is to be examined and tried for life and death, would fain know how it would speed with him, and how matters shall be carried before-hand. God will not deal with you by way of surprise, he hath plainly told you according to what rule he will proceed; saith he, The word which I have spoken the same shall judg you at the last day.
Well then, upon these grounds you see the Execution is not only Judgment, but the very Law is Judgment. A man that is to be examined and tried for life and death, would fain know how it would speed with him, and how matters shall be carried before-hand. God will not deal with you by way of surprize, he hath plainly told you according to what rule he will proceed; saith he, The word which I have spoken the same shall judg you at the last day.
Use. I would apply this first term Judgments thus, to press us to regard the sentence of the Word more: If you cannot stand before the Word of God, how will you stand before Christs Tribunal at the last day? Many times there's a conviction in the Ore, though not refined to full conviction, and that discovers it self thus, by a fear to be tried and searched: Joh. 3. 20. They will not come to the light lest their deeds should be disproved. They that are loth to know, are loth to search: you can have no comfort but what is according to the tenor of the Word; and no happiness but what is according to the sentence of the Word. What the Word doth say to you, as sure as God is true it will be accomplished to a tittle. God stands upon his word more than any thing, when Heaven and earth shall pass away, and be burnt up like a scroll, not a jot of the word, either Law or Gospel, shall pass away. If we did think of this with seriousness, then one part of the Word would drive us to another; we would run from the Law to the Gospel. Sinners could not lye in a carnal state, this Law is not only my rule, but my judgment; and believers could not be so listless, and secure, and negligent as they are in their holy calling, their doom in the Word. This would make them seek more earnestly for pardon and grace, and make them strictly watch over their hearts and ways. Either we do not believe that the Word is true, or that God will be so punctual and exact as he hath declared. We dream of strange indulgences for which we have no cause, or else we would be more frequent at the Throne of Grace, and more exact and watchful in the course of our conversations.
Use. I would apply this first term Iudgments thus, to press us to regard the sentence of the Word more: If you cannot stand before the Word of God, how will you stand before Christs Tribunal at the last day? Many times there's a conviction in the Ore, though not refined to full conviction, and that discovers it self thus, by a fear to be tried and searched: Ioh. 3. 20. They will not come to the light lest their deeds should be disproved. They that are loth to know, are loth to search: you can have no comfort but what is according to the tenor of the Word; and no happiness but what is according to the sentence of the Word. What the Word doth say to you, as sure as God is true it will be accomplished to a tittle. God stands upon his word more than any thing, when Heaven and earth shall pass away, and be burnt up like a scroul, not a jot of the word, either Law or Gospel, shall pass away. If we did think of this with seriousness, then one part of the Word would drive us to another; we would run from the Law to the Gospel. Sinners could not lye in a carnal state, this Law is not only my rule, but my judgment; and believers could not be so listless, and secure, and negligent as they are in their holy calling, their doom in the Word. This would make them seek more earnestly for pardon and grace, and make them strictly watch over their hearts and ways. Either we do not believe that the Word is true, or that God will be so punctual and exact as he hath declared. We dream of strange indulgences for which we have no cause, or else we would be more frequent at the Throne of Grace, and more exact and watchful in the course of our conversations.
Secondly, The next term to be opened is Righteousness, another title given to the Word in this Psalm: It is so called, Heb. 5. 13. Unskilful in the word of righteousness. And 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. It is profitable for instruction in righteousness. But why is the Word called Righteousness? Because it shows how a man shall be justified; and how a justified man should approve himself both to God and man.
Secondly, The next term to be opened is Righteousness, another title given to the Word in this Psalm: It is so called, Heb. 5. 13. Unskilful in the word of righteousness. And 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. It is profitable for instruction in righteousness. But why is the Word called Righteousness? Because it shews how a man shall be justified; and how a justified man should approve himself both to God and man.
1. It showeth how a man shall be justified, and accepted as righteous before God, therefore the Word is called Righteousness. This is a great secret and riddle which was hidden from the wise men of the world, they could never have found it out by all the profound researches and enquiries of nature, into natural things; unless the Word of God had made it known, it should still have been in the dark. For Righteousness to plead for you, and to find acceptance, alas we should be thinking of going up to Heaven, and going down into the deep, no, no, the word is nigh thee, Rom. 10. 8. This notion of the Righteousness of Christ was the best notion the world was ever acquainted with; that when we all lay guilty, obnoxious to the wrath of God, and to the revenges of his angry Justice, that then the Lord should reveal a righteousness, even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all that believe; as the Apostle amplifies it, Rom. 3. 22. What a rich and glorious discovery was this of the mind and counsel of God to poor sinners, that he hath revealed such a Righteousness!
1. It sheweth how a man shall be justified, and accepted as righteous before God, therefore the Word is called Righteousness. This is a great secret and riddle which was hidden from the wise men of the world, they could never have found it out by all the profound researches and enquiries of nature, into natural things; unless the Word of God had made it known, it should still have been in the dark. For Righteousness to plead for you, and to find acceptance, alas we should be thinking of going up to Heaven, and going down into the deep, no, no, the word is nigh thee, Rom. 10. 8. This notion of the Righteousness of Christ was the best notion the world was ever acquainted with; that when we all lay guilty, obnoxious to the wrath of God, and to the revenges of his angry Justice, that then the Lord should reveal a righteousness, even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Iesus Christ unto all, and upon all that believe; as the Apostle amplifies it,
2. The Word is called Righteousness, because it shows how a justified man should approve himself both to God and man, by a holy conversation. It is the rule of moral righteousness, 1 Joh. 3. 8. He is righteous that doth righteousness, in the judgment of the Word. There is not only righteousness wrought by Christ for believers, but also righteousness wrought by Christ in believers; when a man doth exercise himself in performing his duties to God and man.
2. The Word is called Righteousness, because it shews how a justified man should approve himself both to God and man, by a holy conversation. It is the rule of moral righteousness, 1 Ioh. 3. 8. He is righteous that doth righteousness, in the judgment of the Word. There is not only righteousness wrought by Christ for believers, but also righteousness wrought by Christ in believers; when a man doth exercise himself in performing his duties to God and man.
Use. Well then, if we would be skilful in the matters of righteousness:
(1) Consult often with the Word, which is the copy of Gods most righteous will. A man needs go no further either for direction, quickening, or encouragement. The world despiseth the plain directions of the Word, and crieth up the notion of things, and looketh for quainter conceits, and things of a more sublime speculation. If we should only bring Scripture, and ⟨p. 41⟩urge men by Gods authority, and call upon them in Christs name, and by Christs arguments, this would be too low for them. But this is to tax the wisdom of God. He that hath the key of David, knew what kind of wards would fit the Lock, what directions, what quickening notions and encouragements were fittest to be used in the case to gain men to a sense of their duty both to God and man, and bring them into a way of righteousness.
(1) Consult often with the Word, which is the copy of Gods most righteous will. A man needs go no further either for direction, quickning, or encouragement. The world despiseth the plain directions of the Word, and crieth up the notion of things, and looketh for quainter conceits, and things of a more sublime speculation. If we should only bring Scripture, and ⟨p. 41⟩urge men by Gods authority, and call upon them in Christs name, and by Christs arguments, this would be too low for them. But this is to tax the wisdom of God. He that hath the key of David, knew what kind of wards would fit the Lock, what directions, what quickning notions and encouragements were fittest to be used in the case to gain men to a sense of their duty both to God and man, and bring them into a way of righteousness.
(2) Do you manifest the Word to be righteousness: Wisdom should be justified of her children, Mat. 11. 19. You should evidence it to the carnal world by taking off their prejudices, that the Word may be justified. The world hath a suspicion, now evidence it to the Conscience that it is a holy rule, a perfect direction for righteousness. The world prieth into the conversation of the Saints, they live much by sensible things, therefore declare and evidence it to be a righteous thing.
So much for the Title that is given to the Word of God, thy judgments and righteousness.
Secondly, We come now to his act of duty about the Word, or the benefit which he desired, When I shall have learned: By learning he means his attaining not only to the knowledge of the Word, but the practice of it. It is not a speculative light, or a bare notion of things, Joh. 6. 45. Every man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me. It is such a learning as the effect will necessarily follow, such a light and illumination as doth convert the soul, and frame our hearts and ways according to the will of God. For otherwise, if we get understanding of the Word, nay if we get it imprinted in our memories, it will do us no good without practice.
Secondly, We come now to his act of duty about the Word, or the benefit which he desired, When I shall have learned: By learning he means his attaining not only to the knowledg of the Word, but the practice of it. It is not a speculative light, or a bare notion of things, Ioh. 6. 45. Every man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me. It is such a learning as the effect will necessarily follow, such a light and illumination as doth convert the soul, and frame our hearts and ways according to the will of God. For otherwise, if we get understanding of the Word, nay if we get it imprinted in our memories, it will do us no good without practice.
For saith David which had so much acquaintance, When I shall have learned. The professors of the Christian Religion were primitively called Disciples or Learners, Act. 6. 2. [Greek or Hebrew], The multitude of the Disciples; there seems to be the true definition of a Church, the Genus and Difference; The Genus is the community or multitude of men united among themselves as a Corporation, City or Household. The Difference or Form is Disciples, those that gave up themselves to Christ to be taught and governed, and to be instructed in this way and Doctrine. So Act. 11. 26. it is said there, The Disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Christians are the Disciples, and to difference them from the Disciples of other men, they are the Disciples of Christ. (1) The School, that's the Church, where there are public Lectures read to all visible Professors; But the Elect getting saving knowledge, they are not only taught of men, but taught of God, they have an inward light. (2) The Book that's the Scripture, which is able to make wise to salvation, to make the man of God perfect, 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. Some run to tradition, others cry up their own reason to the wrong of the Scripture, they make Christ to be their Disciple, rather than they his, when they will not receive things upon his testimony and revelation, as the Socinians. (3) The Teacher is either supreme or subordinate. The supreme teacher is Christ, he is the great Prophet of the Church, so it is said, Joh. 6. 45. They shall be taught of God. This is such a teacher that not only opens the Scripture, but opens the understanding, Luk. 24. 45. The subordinate Teachers are the Ministers of the Gospel whom God useth for this work; not out of any indigence, but indulgence; not for any efficacy in the Preacher, but out of a suitableness to the hearer, as a means most agreeable to our frail estate, to deal with us by way of counsel. God can teach us without men, by the secret illapses of his Spirit; but he will use those that are of the same nature with our selves, that have the same temptations, necessities and affections, which know the heart of a man. He would use them, who if they deceive us, must deceive themselves; he would use men of whose conversation and course we are conscious; we know their walk and way; he would use them as Ambassadors to pray us in Christs stead to be reconciled to God, 2 Cor.
5. 20. (4) The lesson which we learn is not only to know but to obey; Science without Conscience will not fit our turn, nor suit with the dignity of our teacher. To be like children that have the Rickets, swollen in the head, when the feet are weak; we do not learn truth as it is in Jesus till we be regenerated, for that's a truth for practice and walking, not for talk, Eph. 4. 21. He is most learned that turns Gods word into works. 1 Joh. 2. 4, 5. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. In this School there is no man counted a Proficient, but he that grows in practice. It is not the curious searcher that is the best Scholar, but the humble Practitioner, when we are cast into the mould of this Doctrine, and have the prints, the stamp and character of it upon our heart, as Rom. 6. 17. Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine which was delivered you. In the Original it is, Whereto ye were delivered. When we ⟨p. 42⟩come to a Physician, it is not enough to know his Prescriptions, but they must be followed: we do not come to Christ as Students of Physic to be trained up in the Theory, but as Patients: not as one that minds the Art, but the Cure, to do what is prescribed, that we may know how to get rid of our soul-diseases. Therefore Christ saith, John 8. 31. Then are ye my disciples indeed, if my word abide in you. There are Christs Disciples in pretence, and Christs disciples indeed; those that make it their work to get from Christ a power and virtue to carry on an uniform and constant obedience; these are the true learners. Therefore it will not fit our turn, unless we labour to come under the power of what we learn, as well as get the knowledge; and it will not suit with the dignity of our Teacher, who doth not only enlighten the mind, but change us by his efficacy, and leaves a suitable impression upon the soul. God writeth the lesson upon our hearts; that is, not only gives us the lesson, but an heart to learn it. Man's teaching is a pouring it into the ears. This is Gods teaching, to inform our reason, and move our will.
and the Doctrine of the Gospel teacheth us so, as to stamp the impression of it upon the soul; to change us into his image and likeness, 2 Cor. 3. 18.
Use. It presseth us to give up our selves to this Learning. Study the word, but take God for your Teacher. Look to him that speaks from heaven, if you would learn to purpose, otherwise our natural blindness will never be cured, nor our prejudices removed, nor our wills gained to God; or if they should be gained to a profession of truth, it will never hold long. When men lead us into a truth, we shall easily be led off again by other men; and all a mans teaching will never reform the heart. Man's light is like a March-Sun, which raiseth vapours, but doth not dispel and scatter them; so it discovers Just, but doth not give us power to suppress it; therefore our main business must be to be taught of God.
Use. It presseth us to give up our selves to this Learning. Study the word, but take God for your Teacher. Look to him that speaks from heaven, if you would learn to purpose, otherwise our natural blindness will never be cured, nor our prejudices removed, nor our wills gained to God; or if they should be gained to a profession of truth, it will never hold long. When men lead us into a truth, we shall easily be led off again by other men; and all a mans teaching will never reform the heart. Man's light is like a March-Sun, which raiseth vapours, but doth not dispel and scatter them; so it discovers Iust, but doth not give us power to suppress it; therefore our main business must be to be taught of God.
Secondly, Observe your proficiency in this knowledge. Heb. 5. 14. To have your senses exercised to discern both good and evil. We should every day grow more skilful in the word of righteousness. John 14. 9. Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? To be backward in the knowledge of grace after long teaching, and to be still conflicting with fleshly lusts, which is the exercise of beginners; so much means, and so small experience, and get no further; this is sad!
Secondly, Observe your proficiency in this knowledg. Heb. 5. 14. To have your senses exercised to discern both good and evil. We should every day grow more skilful in the word of righteousness. John 14. 9. Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? To be backward in the knowledg of grace after long teaching, and to be still conflicting with fleshly lusts, which is the exercise of beginners; so much means, and so small experience, and get no further; this is sad!
For saith David which had so much acquaintance, When I shall have learned. The professors of the Christian Religion were primitively called Disciples or Learners, Act. 6. 2. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, The multitude of the Disciples; there seems to be the true definition of a Church, the Genus and Difference; The Genus is the community or multitude of men united among themselves as a Corporation, City or Houshold. The Difference or Form is Disciples, those that gave up themselves to Christ to be taught and governed, and to be instructed in this way and Doctrine. So Act. 11. 26. it is said there, The Disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Christians are the Disciples, and to difference them from the Disciples of other men, they are the Disciples of Christ. (1) The School, that's the Church, where there are publick Lectures read to all visible Professors; But the Elect getting saving knowledg, they are not only taught of men, but taught of God, they have an inward light. (2) The Book that's the Scripture, which is able to make wise to salvation, to make the man of God perfect, 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. Some run to tradition, others cry up their own reason to the wrong of the Scripture, they make Christ to be their Disciple, rather than they his, when they will not receive things upon his testimony and revelation, as the Socinians. (3) The Teacher is either supreme or subordinate. The supreme teacher is Christ, he is the great Prophet of the Church, so it is said, Ioh. 6. 45. They shall be taught of God. This is such a teacher that not only opens the Scripture, but opens the understanding, Luk. 24. 45. The subordinate Teachers are the Ministers of the Gospel whom God useth for this work; not out of any indigence, but indulgence; not for any efficacy in the Preacher, but out of a suitableness to the hearer, as a means most agreeable to our frail estate, to deal with us by way of counsel. God can teach us without men, by the secret illapses of his Spirit; but he will use those that are of the same nature with our selves, that have the same temptations, necessities and affections, which know the heart of a man. He would use them, who if they deceive us, must deceive themselves; he would use men of whose conversation and course we are conscious; we know their walk and way; he would use them as Ambassadors to pray us in Christs stead to be reconciled to God, 2 Cor.
5. 20. (4) The lesson which we learn is not only to know but to obey; Science without Conscience will not fit our turn, nor suit with the dignity of our teacher. To be like children that have the Rickets, swollen in the head, when the feet are weak; we do not learn truth as it is in Jesus till we be regenerated, for that's a truth for practice and walking, not for talk, Eph. 4. 21. He is most learned that turns Gods word into works. 1 Ioh. 2. 4, 5. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a lyar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. In this School there is no man counted a Proficient, but he that grows in practice. It is not the curious searcher that is the best Scholar, but the humble Practitioner, when we are cast into the mould of this Doctrine, and have the prints, the stamp and character of it upon our heart, as Rom. 6. 17. Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine which was delivered you. In the Original it is, Whereto ye were delivered. When we ⟨p. 42⟩come to a Physician, it is not enough to know his Prescriptions, but they must be followed: we do not come to Christ as Students of Physick to be train'd up in the Theory, but as Patients: not as one that minds the Art, but the Cure, to do what is prescribed, that we may know how to get rid of our soul-diseases. Therefore Christ saith, John 8. 31. Then are ye my disciples indeed, if my word abide in you. There are Christs Disciples in pretence, and Christs disciples indeed; those that make it their work to get from Christ a power and vertue to carry on an uniform and constant obedience; these are the true learners. Therefore it will not fit our turn, unless we labour to come under the power of what we learn, as well as get the knowledg; and it will not suit with the dignity of our Teacher, who doth not only enlighten the mind, but change us by his efficacy, and leaves a suitable impression upon the soul. God writeth the lesson upon our hearts; that is, not only gives us the lesson, but an heart to learn it. Man's teaching is a pouring it into the ears. This is Gods teaching, to inform our reason, and move our will. Phil. 2. 13. It is God that worketh in you both to will and to do, of his good pleasure. He teacheth us promises so as to make us believe them; and commandments, so as to make us obey them;
