A51842:412
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.
Use 1. This informs us, That we are not therefore cast out of the love of God, because there may be some forsaking. Desertion is incident to the most heavenly spirits. Christ hath legitimated this condition, and made it consistent with Grace. It is a disease this which follows the Royal feed; David, Heman, Hezekiah, these were forsaken, yet were children of God. It is more incident to the godly than the wicked and carnal. The carnal may be under bondage; sometimes their peace may be troubled and disturbed; but this Desertion properly is a disease incident to the godly, and none are so affected with it as they; they have a tender heart; when God is gone how are they troubled! they are very observant, and therefore we cannot say they are not godly because they are forsaken. But those that never felt the love of Christ, never knew what communion with God means, never troubled with sin, have none of this affliction; but this is incident to the richest and most heavenly spirit, whom God hath taken into Communion with himself.
Use 2. For Direction to the Children of God.
1. Observe Gods comings and goings, see whether you be forsaken; when God hides himself from your prayers; when means have not such a lively influence; when you have a strong affection to obey, but not such help to bring it into act, and you begin to stumble, observe it, God is withdrawn, and many times seems to withdraw to observe whether you will take notice of it. Christ made as if he would go further, but they constrained him to stay; so he makes as if he would be gone, to see if you will constrain him to tarry.
1. Observe Gods comings and goings, see whether you be forsaken; when God hides himself from your prayers; when means have not such a lively influence; when you have a strong affection to obey, but not such help to bring it into act, and you begin to stumble, observe it, God is withdrawn, and many times seems to withdraw to observe whether you will take notice of it. Christ made as if he would go further, but they constrain'd him to stay; so he makes as if he would be gone, to see if you will constrain him to tarry.