A51842:800
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.
To this I answer: 1. by concession, That we are to train up our selves in an expectation of our dissolution, that we may be willing when the time is come, and God hath no more work for us to do in the world; we are to awaken our desires after the presence of Christ in Heaven, ⟨p. 104⟩to show both our faith in him, and love to him. Since Christ was willing to come down to us, though it were to meet with shame and pain; why should we be loth to return to him? Jacob's spirit revived when he saw the Waggons which Joseph sent to carry him. Death is the Chariot to carry you to Christ, and therefore it should not be unwelcome to us.
To this I answer: 1. by concession, That we are to train up our selves in an expectation of our dissolution, that we may be willing when the time is come, and God hath no more work for us to do in the world; we are to awaken our desires after the presence of Christ in Heaven, ⟨p. 104⟩to shew both our faith in him, and love to him. Since Christ was willing to come down to us, though it were to meet with shame and pain; why should we be loth to return to him? Iacob's spirit revived when he saw the Waggons which Ioseph sent to carry him. Death is the Chariot to carry you to Christ, and therefore it should not be unwelcome to us.
2. By correction; though it be lawful and expedient to desire death, yet we are not anxiously to long after it till the time come; there may be sin in desiring death, as when we grow weary of life out of desperation, and the tiresomeness of the Cross; and there may be grace in desiring life, that we may keep his word; longer express our gratitude to him here in the world, to mourn for sin, to promote his glory. More fully to make this evident to you, I shall show how we may desire death, how not. To answer in several propositions.
2. By correction; though it be lawful and expedient to desire death, yet we are not anxiously to long after it till the time come; there may be sin in desiring death, as when we grow weary of life out of desperation, and the tiresomeness of the Cross; and there may be grace in desiring life, that we may keep his word; longer express our gratitude to him here in the world, to mourn for sin, to promote his glory. More fully to make this evident to you, I shall shew how we may desire death, how not. To answer in several propositions.