A51842:464
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. In our exigencies and straits; and so we are said to seek God when in doubts we seek his direction, James 1. 5. when in weakness we seek strength, in sickness health, in troubles comfort. Asa is blamed that he sought not to the Lord, but to the Physicians. Paul's messenger of Satan drives him to the throne of grace, 2 Cor. 12. 8. For this I sought the Lord thrice. He would knock again and again, to see what answers he could get from God.
1. In our exigencies and straits; and so we are said to seek God when in doubts we seek his direction, Iames 1. 5. when in weakness we seek strength, in sickness health, in troubles comfort. Asa is blamed that he sought not to the Lord, but to the Physicians. Paul's messenger of Satan drives him to the throne of grace, 2 Cor. 12. 8. For this I sought the Lord thrice. He would knock again and again, to see what answers he could get from God.
2. In all our businesses and affairs God must be sought unto; and we must ask his leave, his counsel, and his blessing. Pagans, before the awe of Religion was extinguished, would begin with their gods in every weighty enterprise; A Jove principium, was an honest heathen principle. Laban consults with his Teraphim: Balac sends for Balaam; they had their Oracles that they would resort to. So far as any Nation was touched with a sense of a Divine Power, they would never venture upon anything without consulting with their gods. And it is enjoined as a piece of Religious good manners, to own God upon all occasions. Prov. 3. 5. In all thy ways acknowledge him. It is an acknowledgement of God, an owning him as a God, that we would be asking his leave, counsel and blessing. His leave must be asked, though the thing be never so lawful and easy. We are taught every day to ask our daily bread, though we have it by us, that we may not like thieves and robbers use his goods without his leave. So, for his Counsel; he is sure to miscarry that makes his bosom his Oracle, his wit his Counsellor. It is a high piece of spiritual Idolatry, to lean upon our own understanding, and think to carry even the ordinary affairs of any day without asking counsel from God, and then his blessing. God is not an idle spectator, he disposeth of all events, and giveth the blessing.