A51842:431
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.
1. I begin with the question; for as the careless world carrieth the matter, it seemeth very impertinent and ridiculous. What hath youth and childhood to do with so serious a work? When old age hath snowed upon their heads, and the smart experience of more years in the world, hath ripened them for so severe a Discipline, then it is time to think of cleansing their way, or of entering upon a course of repentance and submission to God. For the present, Dandum est aliquid huic aetati. Youth must be a little indulged, they will grow wiser as they grow more in years. Oh! no: God demandeth his right as soon as we are capable to understand it. And it concerneth every one, as soon as he cometh to the use of reason, presently to mind his work both in regard of God and himself.
1. I begin with the question; for as the careless world carrieth the matter, it seemeth very impertinent and ridiculous. What hath youth and childhood to do with so serious a work? When old age hath snowed upon their heads, and the smart experience of more years in the world, hath ripened them for so severe a Discipline, then it is time to think of cleansing their way, or of entring upon a course of repentance and submission to God. For the present, Dandum est aliquid huic aetati. Youth must be a little indulged, they will grow wiser as they grow more in years. Oh! no: God demandeth his right as soon as we are capable to understand it. And it concerneth every one, as soon as he cometh to the use of reason, presently to mind his work both in regard of God and himself.
1. In regard of God, that he may not be kept out of his right too long, Eccles. 12. 1. Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth. He is our Creator, we have nothing but what he gave us, and that for his own use and service. And therefore the vessel should be cleansed as soon as may be, that it may be fit for the Masters use. It is a kind of spiritual restitution for the neglects of childhood, and the forgetfulness of Infancy, when we were not in a capacity to know our Creator, much less to serve him. And therefore as soon as we come to the use of reason, we should restore his right with advantage.