A51842:680
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.
PSAL. CXIX. 15. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
ALL along David had showed what he had done; now, what he will do. V. 10. I have sought. V. 11. I have hid. V. 13. I have declared. V. 14. I have rejoiced. Now in the two following Verses he doth engage himself to set his mark towards God for time to come, I will meditate in thy precepts, &c. We should not rest upon any thing already done and past, but continue the same diligence unto the end. Here is David's hearty resolution and purpose, to go on for time to come. Many will say, Thus I have done when I was young, or had more leisure, and rest; In that I have meditated, and conferred. You must continue still in a holy course. To begin to build, and leave unfinished, is an argument of folly. There is always the same reason for going on, that there was for beginning, both for necessity, profit and sweetness. We have no licence to slack and give over, till all be finished. Phil. 2. 12. Work out your own salvation; otherwise all you do is in vain, yet not in vain, Gal. 3. 4. in vain as to final reward, yet not in vain as to increase of punishment. You lose your cost, your watchings, striving, prayings; but you will gain a more heavy punishment, so that it had been better you had never begun. 2 Pet. 2. 20, 21. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning: for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. You bring an ill report upon God; your sense of the worth of heavenly things must needs be greater for your making trial; and therefore your punishment for neglect the greater. Into the Vineyard they came at several hours; but all tarried till the close of the day. Some called sooner, some later; but all held out till the end.