A51842:366
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.
Negatively, let me speak to this point.
1. This is not to be understood as if our resolutions had any strength in themselves to bear us out. Peter is a sad instance how little our confidence and purposes will come to: and therefore David here, when he was most upright in his own resolution, is most diffident of his own strength; O forsake me not: implying, if God should forsake him, all would come to nothing. God must enable us to do what we resolve.
2. Nor is it to be understood, that it is in a man's power to resolve: this would put grace under the dominion of our will: It is by preventing grace that we are brought to a serious purpose, Phil. 2. 13. He giveth to will and to do. Man's will is the toughest sinew in the whole Creation. The very purpose and bent of the heart, is the fruit of Regeneration. Free-will hath its pangs, its velleities, which are like a little morning-dew that is soon dried up. Hos. 6. 4. Our righteousness is as the morning-cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. But the will and resolution that we are to understand here, is the fruit of grace.
3. Not as if the obligation to obedience did arise from our own purpose and promise, rather than from Gods Command: this were to set mans authority above Gods; and to lay aside the Precept, which is the surer bond and obligation, and to bind the soul with the slender thread of our own resolutions. When we purpose and promise obedience, we do but make the old bond and engagement of duty the more active and sensible upon the soul; so that it is not to jostle out Gods Authority, but to yield our consent. However, the obligation is the greater: for to disobey after we have acknowledged an authority; among men it is counted a more heinous crime, than standing out against the authority it self. A thing that is not due before, yet when we have promised or dedicated it to God, then it is not in our power, as in the case of Ananias, Act. 5. but now we are not free before the contract, we have bonds upon us; and the business of our promise and resolution is only to make our obligation more powerful upon the conscience.
3. Not as if the obligation to obedience did arise from our own purpose and promise, rather than from Gods Command: this were to set mans authority above Gods; and to lay aside the Precept, which is the surer bond and obligation, and to bind the soul with the slender thread of our own resolutions. When we purpose and promise obedience, we do but make the old bond and engagement of duty the more active and sensible upon the soul; so that it is not to justle out Gods Authority, but to yield our consent. However, the obligation is the greater: for to disobey after we have acknowledged an authority; among men it is counted a more heinous crime, than standing out against the authority it self. A thing that is not due before, yet when we have promised or dedicated it to God, then it is not in our power, as in the case of Ananias, Act. 5. but now we are not free before the contract, we have bonds upon us; and the business of our promise and resolution is only to make our obligation more powerful upon the conscience.
4. Not as if it were an arbitrary thing thus to do, and practised by the Saints only for the more convenience of the spiritual life, no, but it is a thing required, Act. 11. 23. He exhorteth them that with full purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord.
4. Not as if it were an arbitrary thing thus to do, and practised by the Saints only for the more conveniencie of the spiritual life, no, but it is a thing required, Act. 11. 23. He exhorteth them that with full purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord.
Positively: 1. It is a course which God will bless, he hath appointed Ordinances for this end and purpose that we might come to this resolution. The promise is first implicitly made in Baptism, therefore is it called, 1 Pet. 3. 21. The answer of a good conscience towards God. How so? why, the Covenant binds mutually on God part, and on ours; and so do the seals which belong to the Covenant. It doth not only seal pardon and sanctification on Gods part, but there is a promise and answer on our part: an answer to what? to the demands of the Covenant. In the Covenant of Grace God saith I will be your God, (Baptism seals that) and we promise to be his people. Now our answer to this demand of God, and to this Interrogatory he puts to us in the Covenant, it is sealed by us in Baptism; and it is renewed in the Lords-supper. Look as in the old Sacrifices, they were all a renewing of the Oath of Allegiance to God, or confirming their purposes and resolutions; you have the same notion to the sacrifice that is given to the Lords-supper, for it is called the blood of the Covenant, Exod. 24. 7, 8. In the Ordinance of the Lords-supper there we come to take an obligation upon us, half of the blood is sprinkled upon us. And this purpose and resolution to it is still continued and kept a foot in our daily exercise, invocation and prayer, wherein either we explicitly or implicitly renew our obedience; for every prayer is an implicit vow, wherewith we bind our selves to seek those things we ask, or else we do not engage God to bestow them. Thus it is a course that God will bless.
Positively: 1. It is a course which God will bless, he hath appointed Ordinances for this end and purpose that we might come to this resolution. The promise is first implicitly made in Baptism, therefore is it called, 1 Pet. 3. 21. The answer of a good conscience towards God. How so? why, the Covenant binds mutually on God part, and on ours; and so do the seals which belong to the Covenant. It doth not only seal pardon and sanctification on Gods part, but there is a promise and answer on our part: an answer to what? to the demands of the Covenant. In the Covenant of Grace God saith I will be your God, (Baptism seals that) and we promise to be his people. Now our answer to this demand of God, and to this Interrogatory he puts to us in the Covenant, it is sealed by us in Baptism; and it is renewed in the Lords-supper. Look as in the old Sacrifices, they were all a renewing of the Oath of Allegiance to God, or confirming their purposes and resolutions; you have the same notion to the sacrifice that is given to the Lords-supper, for it is called the blood of the Covenant,
2. 'Tis of great necessity to prevent uncertainty of spirit; until we come to resolution we shall be liable to temptation; until we fully set our faces towards God, and have a bent and serious purpose of heart, we shall never be free from temptation from the Devil, and from evil men, or from our selves. From the Devil, Jam. 1. 8. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. As long as we are wavering, and suspensive, we can never carry on uniformity of obedience. While we halt between God and Baal, Satan hath an advantage against us. So for evil men, David doth express himself as coming to a resolution in this Psalm, vers. 115. Depart from me, ye evil doers; for I will keep the commandments of my God. There is no way to shake off those evil companions and associates, till there be a bent seriously towards heaven. So for our selves, we have changeable hearts, that love to wander, Jerem. 14. 10. We have many revoltings and reluctancies, therefore until a sanctified judgment, and will concur to make up a resolution and holy purpose, we shall still be up and down. The Saints being sensible of their weakness often bind this upon themselves, Psal. 119. 57. I have said, that I ⟨p. 46⟩would keep thy words: there was a practical decree past upon the conscience. And vers. 106. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. An Oath is the highest assurance among men, and most solemn engagement; and all little enough to hold a backsliding heart under a sense and care of our duty. As long as the Israelites had a will to Canaan, so long they digested the inconveniences of the Wilderness. Every difficulty and trouble will put us out of the way, and we cannot be secured against an unsteady heart, but by taking up such a course, a serious resolve of maintaining Communion with God. And as it is useful to prevent temptation, so to excite and quicken our dullness: We forget our vow and purpose, and therefore we relapse into sin. The Apostle saith, 2 Pet. 1. 9. He hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins: that he did renounce these things in Baptism. And Paul puts us in mind of our engagement,
You make vows and promises to God, to renounce the flesh and vanities of the world, and to give up your selves to Gods service, and these things are forgotten, and therefore we grow slight, cold, careless in the profession of godliness.
Use. The first Use is to press us to come to a declared resolution to serve and please God, and to direct us in what manner.
First, Make it with a full bent of heart. Rest not upon a shall I, shall I; but I will keep thy statutes. As Agrippa was almost persuaded to be a Christian, but not altogether; so men stand hovering and debating. You should resolve. Psal. 119. 112. I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes alway to the end. It is Gods work to incline the heart; but when the work of grace is past upon us, then the believer doth voluntarily incline himself, his will is bent to serve God, not by fits and starts, but alway to the end. 1 Chron. 22. 7. Now set your hearts to seek the Lord. That is, resolve, be not off and on.
First, Make it with a full bent of heart. Rest not upon a shall I, shall I; but I will keep thy statutes. As Agrippa was almost perswaded to be a Christian, but not altogether; so men stand hovering and debating. You should resolve. Psal. 119. 112. I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes alway to the end. It is Gods work to incline the heart; but when the work of grace is past upon us, then the believer doth voluntarily incline himself, his will is bent to serve God, not by fits and starts, but alway to the end. 1 Chron. 22. 7. Now set your hearts to seek the Lord. That is, resolve, be not off and on.
But, Secondly, In what manner shall we make it?
1. Seriously and advisedly, not in a rash humour. The people when they heard the Law, and were startled with the Majesty of God, Deut. 5. 28, 29. answered, All that the Lord hath spoken, we will do. It was well done to come to a purpose and resolution, But O that there were such a heart within them, saith God, that they would fear me, &c. Josh. 24 19. We will serve the Lord, say the people; you cannot serve the Lord, saith Joshua. Do you know what it is? Rash undertakings will necessarily be accompanied with a feeble prosecution; and therefore count the charges, lest you repent of the bargain. Luke 14. 23.
1. Seriously and advisedly, not in a rash humour. The people when they heard the Law, and were startled with the Majesty of God, Deut. 5. 28, 29. answered, All that the Lord hath spoken, we will do. It was well done to come to a purpose and resolution, But O that there were such a heart within them, saith God, that they would fear me, &c. Josh. 24 19. We will serve the Lord, say the people; you cannot serve the Lord, saith Ioshua. Do you know what it is? Rash undertakings will necessarily be accompanied with a feeble prosecution; and therefore count the charges, lest you repent of the bargain. Luke 14. 23.
2. Make Christ a liberal allowance, if you would come to a resolution. Matt. 16. 24. He that will come after me, he that hath a heart set upon this business, let him know what he must do, let him deny himself, &c. When we engage for God, he would have us reckon for the worst, to be provided for all difficulties. A man that builds, when he hath set apart such a sum of money to compass it, while he keeps within allowance, all is well; but when that's exceeded, every penny is disbursed with grudging: So if you do any thing in this holy business, make Christ a liberal allowance at first, lest we think of returning into Egypt afterward, when we meet with fiery-flying-Serpents, and difficulties and hardships in our passage to Heaven. Let it be a through resolution, that come what will come, we will be the Lords. There should be a holy wilfulness. Paul was resolved to go to Jerusalem, because he was bound in spirit; and though they did even break his heart, yet they could not break his purpose.
2. Make Christ a liberal allowance, if you would come to a resolution. Matt. 16. 24. He that will come after me, he that hath a heart set upon this business, let him know what he must do, let him deny himself, &c. When we engage for God, he would have us reckon for the worst, to be provided for all difficulties. A man that builds, when he hath set apart such a sum of money to compass it, while he keeps within allowance, all is well; but when that's exceeded, every penny is disbursed with grudging: So if you do any thing in this holy business, make Christ a liberal allowance at first, lest we think of returning into Egypt afterward, when we meet with fiery-flying-Serpents, and difficulties and hardships in our passage to Heaven. Let it be a through resolution, that come what will come, we will be the Lords. There should be a holy wilfulness. Paul was resolved to go to Ierusalem, because he was bound in spirit; and though they did even break his heart, yet they could not break his purpose.
3. Resolve as trusting upon the Lords grace. You are poor weak creatures; how changeable in an hour! not a feather so tossed to and fro in the air; therefore we shall fail, falter, and break promise every day, if we go forth in the strength of our own resolutions. Resolve as trusting in the direction and assistance of Gods holy Spirit; if God undertake for us, then (under God) we may undertake. To resolve, is more easy than to perform; as Articles are sooner consented to, than made good; a Castle is more easily built in time of peace, than maintained and kept in a time of War; and therefore still wait, and depend upon God for his grace.
3. Resolve as trusting upon the Lords grace. You are poor weak creatures; how changeable in an hour! not a feather so tost to and fro in the air; therefore we shall fail, falter, and break promise every day, if we go forth in the strength of our own resolutions. Resolve as trusting in the direction and assistance of Gods holy Spirit; if God undertake for us, then (under God) we may undertake. To resolve, is more easie than to perform; as Articles are sooner consented to, than made good; a Castle is more easily built in time of peace, than maintain'd and kept in a time of War; and therefore still wait, and depend upon God for his grace.
4. You cannot promise absolute and through obedience (though you should strive after it) for this you will never be able to perform; and your own promises, purposes, and resolutions, will but increase your trouble, though you are still to be aiming after it.
2. 'Tis of great necessity to prevent uncertainty of spirit; until we come to resolution we shall be lyable to temptation; until we fully set our faces towards God, and have a bent and serious purpose of heart, we shall never be free from temptation from the Devil, and from evil men, or from our selves. From the Devil, Iam. 1. 8. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. As long as we are wavering, and suspensive, we can never carry on uniformity of obedience. While we halt between God and Baal, Satan hath an advantage against us. So for evil men, David doth express himself as coming to a resolution in this Psalm, vers. 115. Depart from me, ye evil doers; for I will keep the commandments of my God. There is no way to shake off those evil companions and associates, till there be a bent seriously towards heaven. So for our selves, we have changeable hearts, that love to wander, Ierem. 14. 10. We have many revoltings and reluctancies, therefore until a sanctified judgment, and will concur to make up a resolution and holy purpose, we shall still be up and down. The Saints being sensible of their weakness often bind this upon themselves, Psal. 119. 57. I have said, that I ⟨p. 46⟩would keep thy words: there was a practical decree past upon the conscience. And vers. 106. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. An Oath is the highest assurance among men, and most solemn engagement; and all little enough to hold a backsliding heart under a sense and care of our duty. As long as the Israelites had a will to Canaan, so long they digested the inconveniencies of the Wilderness. Every difficulty and trouble will put us out of the way, and we cannot be secured against an unsteady heart, but by taking up such a course, a serious resolve of maintaining Communion with God. And as it is useful to prevent temptation, so to excite and quicken our dulness: We forget our vow and purpose, and therefore we relapse into sin. The Apostle saith, 2 Pet. 1. 9. He hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins: that he did renounce these things in Baptism. And Paul puts us in mind of our engagement, Rom. 8. 12. We are not debters to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
