A51842:440
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.
2. The Word is considerable as an instrument which God maketh use of to cleanse the heart of man. It will not be amiss a little to show the instrumentality of the Word to this blessed end and purpose. It is the glass that discovereth sin, and the water that washeth it away. (1) It is the glass wherein to see our corruption. The first step to the cure is a knowledge of the disease; it is a glass wherein to see our natural face, Jam. 1. 23. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass, &c. In the Word we see Gods Image and our own. It is the copy of Gods Holiness, and the representation of our natural faces, Rom. 7. 9. What fond conceits have we of our own spiritual beauty! but there we may see the leprous spots that are upon us. (2) It sets us a work to see it purged, it is the water to wash it out. The word of command presseth the duty, 'tis indispensably required. What doth every command sound in our ears, But wash you, make you clean? This is indispensably required, 1 Joh. 3. 3. And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure. And Heb. 12. 14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Some things God may dispense with, but this is never dispensed with. Many things are ornamental, that are not absolutely necessary, as wealth, riches: Wisdom with an inheritance is good; so learning. Many have gone to heaven that were never learned, but never any without holiness. (3) The word of promise encourageth it, 2 Cor. 7. 1. Having therefore these promises, (dearly beloved) let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. And 2 Pet. 1. 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. God might have required it upon the account of his Sovereignty, we being his creatures, especially this being the perfection of our natures, and rather a privilege than a burden; but God would not rule us with a rod of iron, but deal with rational creatures rationally, by promises and threatenings: