A51842:470
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.
But how is that? Besides what hath already been spoken of it in the Second Use, it noteth three things. 1. Sincerity of aims. 2. Integrity of parts. 3. Uniformity of endeavours.
1. Sincerity of aims: Many pretend to seek God, but indeed they do but seek themselves. As those that followed Christ for the loaves, that take up Religion upon base and carnal respects; Joh. 6. 26. Verily I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were, filled. There was much outward diligence, but a false heart lurking under it, their belly, drove them to him. Of all by-ends this is the worst and basest, Vix diligitur Jesus propter Jesum. Jesus Christ is scarce loved for Jesus sake. Yet further, those that prayed to God for corn, wine, and oil, and did not seek his favour and grace in the first place; see what the Lord saith of them, Hos. 7. 14. They have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds. They did seek God, but yet it is counted howling. They only minded the supply of outward wants; and made prayer merely to be an act of carnal self-love: and then it is but howling, such a noise as a dog or a beast would make when he wants his food. Christians no doubt they were instant, there was a world of earnestness, they were affected when the stroke was upon them, and seriously desired to get rid of it, But they have not cried to me with their whole heart; it was but such a sense of pain and want as the beasts have. If there be any thing sought from God more than God, or not for God, we do not seek him with the whole heart, but only for other uses.
1. Sincerity of aims: Many pretend to seek God, but indeed they do but seek themselves. As those that followed Christ for the loaves, that take up Religion upon base and carnal respects; Ioh. 6. 26. Verily I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were, filled. There was much outward diligence, but a false heart lurking under it, their belly, drove them to him. Of all by-ends this is the worst and basest, Vix diligitur Iesus propter Iesum. Jesus Christ is scarce loved for Jesus sake. Yet further, those that prayed to God for corn, wine, and oyl, and did not seek his favour and grace in the first place; see what the Lord saith of them,