A51842:858
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
Title page: Internet Archive scan of the Early English Books microfilm
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.
4. When this blindness is in part cured, yet still we need that God should open our eyes to the very last. We know nothing as we ought to know. David a regenerate man, and well instructed, prayeth to have his eyes opened; for we need more light every day, Luk. 24. 45. Then opened he their understandings, that they might understand the Scriptures. Christ first opened the Scriptures, then he opened their understandings.
USE 1. To show us the reason why the word prevaileth so little when it is preached with power and evidence, their eyes are not opened, Isa. 53. 1. Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? No teaching will prevail, till we are taught of God.
USE 1. To shew us the reason why the word prevaileth so little when it is preached with power and evidence, their eyes are not opened, Isa. 53. 1. Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? No teaching will prevail, till we are taught of God.
USE 2. What need we have to consult with God whenever we make use of the word, in Reading, Hearing, Study. In Reading; when thou openest the Bible to read, say, Lord open mine eyes. When thou Hearest, beg a sight of the Truth, and how to apply it for thy comfort. Haec audiunt quasi somniantes: Luther saith of the most, In seeing they see not; in hearing they hear not. There was a Fountain by Hagar, but she could not see it, Gen. 21. 19. God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water, and she went and filled the bottle with water, and gave the Lad to drink. So for Study, it is dangerous to set upon the study of divine things in the strength of wit, and human helps. Men go forth in the strength of their own parts, or lean upon the judgment of Writers, and so are left in darkness and confusion. We ⟨p. 112⟩would sooner come to the decision of a truth, if we would go to God, and desire him to rend the veil of Prejudices and Interests.
USE 2. What need we have to consult with God whenever we make use of the word, in Reading, Hearing, Study. In Reading; when thou openest the Bible to read, say, Lord open mine eyes. When thou Hearest, beg a sight of the Truth, and how to apply it for thy comfort. Haec audiunt quasi somniantes: Luther saith of the most, In seeing they see not; in hearing they hear not. There was a Fountain by Hagar, but she could not see it, Gen. 21. 19. God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water, and she went and filled the bottle with water, and gave the Lad to drink. So for Study, it is dangerous to set upon the study of divine things in the strength of wit, and human helps. Men go forth in the strength of their own parts, or lean upon the judgment of Writers, and so are left in darkness and confusion. We ⟨p. 112⟩would sooner come to the decision of a truth, if we would go to God, and desire him to rend the vail of Prejudices and Interests.
USE 3. Is to press us to seek after this blessing, the opening of the eyes. Magnify the creating-power of God, 2 Cor. 4. 6. God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Make use of Christ, Col. 2. 5. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Beg it earnestly of him; the Apostle prayeth, Eph. 1. 17, 18. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, &c. Yea, mourn for it in cases of dubious anxiety. John wept when the book of the seven seals was not opened, Rev. 5. 4. Mourn over your ignorance; refer all to practice, Joh. 7. 17. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of my self. Wait for light in the use of means, with a simple, docile, sincere, humble mind. Psal. 25. 9. The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way.
USE 3. Is to press us to seek after this blessing, the opening of the eyes. Magnifie the creating-power of God, 2 Cor. 4. 6. God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledg of God in the face of Iesus Christ. Make use of Christ, Col. 2. 5. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledg. Beg it earnestly of him; the Apostle prayeth,
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law. Law is not taken strictly for the Covenant of works, nor for the Decalogue as a Rule of life; but more generally for the whole word of God, which is full of wonders, or high and heavenly mysteries. In the Decalogue or Moral Law, there is wonderful purity, when we get a spiritual sense of it. Psal. 119. 96. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandments are exceeding broad: and Psal. 19. 7, 8. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple: the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. A wonderful Equity; Rom. 7. 12. The law is holy, and the commandment is holy, just and good. A marvellous wisdom; Deut. 4. 6. Keep therefore, and do them; for this is your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the Nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great Nation is a wise and understanding people. In the whole word of God, the harmony and correspondence between all the parts, how the mystery grew from a dark revelation, to clearer, is admirable. In the Gospel every Article of faith is a mystery to be wondered at: the Person of Christ, 1 Tim. 3. 16. Great is the mystery of godliness, God manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, &c. A Virgin conceiveth, the Word is made flesh; the redemption and reconciliation of mankind, is the wonderful work of the Lords Grace. It is the hidden wisdom of God in a mystery, 1 Cor. 2. 7. We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world to our glory. And 'tis called the mystery hidden from ages, Eph. 3. 9. The glory of heaven is admirable, Eph. 1. 18. The riches of the glory of the Inheritance of the Saints in light. That a clod of earth should be made an heir of heaven, deserves the highest wonder. All these are mysteries. So the wonderful effects of the word in convincing sinners,
The word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It is a searching and discovering word, John 4. 29. See a man that hath told me all that ever I did. In changing sinners, 1 Pet. 2. 9. That ye may show forth the praises of him that hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Peter's getting out of prison was nothing to it. In comforting: Every Grace is a Mystery; to depend upon what we see not; to be as a Rock in the midst of a storm; dying, yet we live; as poor, yet making many rich, 2 Cor. 8. 9, 10. All the operations of the Spirit are wonderful, 1 Pet. 1. 8. Joy unspeakable and full of glory. Phil. 4. 7. Peace that passeth all understanding. Rom. 8. 26. Groans that cannot be uttered.
The word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than a twoedged sword, piercing to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and joynts and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It is a searching and discovering word, John 4. 29. See a man that hath told me all that ever I did. In changing sinners, 1 Pet. 2. 9. That ye may shew forth the praises of him that hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Peter's getting out of prison was nothing to it. In comforting: Every Grace is a Mystery; to depend upon what we see not; to be as a Rock in the midst of a storm; dying, yet we live; as poor, yet making many rich, 2 Cor. 8. 9, 10. All the operations of the Spirit are wonderful, 1 Pet. 1. 8. Ioy unspeakable and full of glory.
2. What Divine illumination contributeth to the sight of these wonders.
1. It revealeth the truth of them, which otherwise is incomprehensible to the flesh, Matth. 16. 17. Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Without this, no certain knowledge of Christs Person and Office.
1. It revealeth the truth of them, which otherwise is incomprehensible to the flesh, Matth. 16. 17. Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Without this, no certain knowledg of Christs Person and Office.
2. It more intimately acquainteth us with them. Matth. 13. 11. To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, to others it is not given. All Gods works are full of wonder yet blind men cannot see them, though the Sun shineth never so clearly. A beautiful room, into which there is but a crevice, when we lay our eye close to it, we see it.
2. It more intimately acquainteth us with them. Matth. 13. 11. To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, to others it is not given. All Gods works are full of wonder yet blind men cannot see them, though the Sun shineth never so clearly. A beautiful room, into which there is but a crevise, when we lay our eye close to it, we see it.
USE 1. From hence we may learn, That it is one degree of profit to see so much in the word of God, as to admire it; either at the mysteries of godliness or ungodliness, which the word discovereth, [Greek or Hebrew]. They that are most enlightened, have most cause to wonder; for then they find Truths which exceed all common reason, such as do not come into the minds of others; or if they do, they seem incredible.
USE 1. From hence we may learn, That it is one degree of profit to see so much in the word of God, as to admire it; either at the mysteries of godliness or ungodliness, which the word discovereth, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. They that are most enlightned, have most cause to wonder; for then they find Truths which exceed all common reason, such as do not come into the minds of others; or if they do, they seem incredible.
USE 2. Is to encourage us to study the word; the wonders of Gods works are many, but the wonders of his word greater. Quot articuli tot miracula, the Papists say of Aquinas Sums: But more truly may it be said of the word of God, All the doctrines of the word are a continued mystery. After man was fallen, it came not into the head of any creature how to satisfy Justice, to make up the breath. On the folly of them that despise the word, as curious Wits and Worldlings do, as if it were a mean knowledge in comparison of what may be acquired from Aristotle and Plato, or the Politicians of the world! If there be in it some rudiments, something common with other Writings, yet there are greater things than these, the deep things of God; 1 Cor 2. 11. never such a revelation made to the world. And worldly men that despise this study of the word, they despise that which Angels wonder at, Eph. 3. 10. and desire to pry into, 1 Pet. 1. 13. and make great matters of trifles. The Sun of Righteousness, is not he worth the beholding?
USE 2. Is to encourage us to study the word; the wonders of Gods works are many, but the wonders of his word greater. Quot articuli tot miracula, the Papists say of Aquinas Sums: But more truly may it be said of the word of God, All the doctrines of the word are a continued mystery. After man was fallen, it came not into the head of any creature how to satisfie Justice, to make up the breath. On the folly of them that despise the word, as curious Wits and Worldlings do, as if it were a mean knowledg in comparison of what may be acquired from Aristotle and Plato, or the Politicians of the world! If there be in it some rudiments, something common with other Writings, yet there are greater things than these, the deepthings of God; 1 Cor 2. 11. never such a revelation made to the world. And worldly men that despise this study of the word, they despise that which Angels wonder at, Eph. 3. 10. and desire to pry into, 1 Pet. 1. 13. and make great matters of trifles. The Sun of Righteousness, is not he worth the beholding?
USE 3. Let us cease wondering at worldly things, great Places, Honours, heaps of wealth, fair Buildings, as the Disciples, Mark 13. 1. Master, see what manner of stones and buildings are here! 'Tis said of Christ, Col. 2. 9. In him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily: fullness of the Godhead Oh wonderful! The people wondered at that mass of money provided by David to build God an House, 1 Chron. 29. 7, 8. Oh! but the unsearchable riches of Grace, the rare plot of mans Redemption, [Greek or Hebrew], how wonderful! All in and about Christ is rare. His name is Wonderful, all the promises of God are [Greek or Hebrew] exceeding great and precious promises, 2 Pet. 1. 4. they transcend mans capacity. It condemneth the stupidness of them that are nothing moved or taken with things so great and wonderful, great in themselves, and should be precious to us.
USE 3. Let us cease wondering at worldly things, great Places, Honours, heaps of wealth, fair Buildings, as the Disciples, Mark 13. 1. Master, see what manner of stones and buildings are here! 'Tis said of Christ, Col. 2. 9. In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily: fulness of the Godhea• Oh wonderful! The people wondred at that mass of money provided by David to build God an House, 1 Chron. 29. 7, 8. Oh! but the unsearchable riches of Grace, the rare plot of mans Redemption, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, how wonderful! All in and about Christ is rare. His name is Wonderful, all the promises of God are 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 exceeding great and precious promises, 2 Pet. 1. 4. they transcend mans capacity. It condemneth the stupidness of them that are nothing moved or taken with things so great and wonderful, great in themselves, and should be precious to us.
PSAL. CXIX. 19. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy Commandments from me.
IN the 18. Verse David had begged Divine illumination, Open mine eyes, &c. he doth not desire God to make a plainer Law, but to give him a clearer sight. That request he backs with three reasons in the following verses:
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law. Law is not taken strictly for the Covenant of works, nor for the Decalogue as a Rule of life; but more generally for the whole word of God, which is full of wonders, or high and heavenly mysteries. In the Decalogue or Moral Law, there is wonderful purity, when we get a spiritual sense of it. Psal. 119. 96. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandments are exceeding broad: and Psal. 19. 7, 8. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple: the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoycing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightning the eyes. A wonderful Equity; Rom. 7. 12. The law is holy, and the commandment is holy, just and good. A marvellous wisdom; Deut. 4. 6. Keep therefore, and do them; for this is your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the Nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great Nation is a wise and understanding people. In the whole word of God, the harmony and correspondence between all the parts, how the mystery grew from a dark revelation, to clearer, is admirable. In the Gospel every Article of faith is a mystery to be wondered at: the Person of Christ, 1 Tim. 3. 16. Great is the mystery of godliness, God manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, &c. A Virgin conceiveth, the Word is made flesh; the redemption and reconciliation of mankind, is the wonderful work of the Lords Grace. It is the hidden wisdom of God in a mystery, 1 Cor. 2. 7. We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world to our glory. And 'tis called the mystery hidden from ages, Eph. 3. 9. The glory of heaven is admirable, Eph. 1. 18. The riches of the glory of the Inheritance of the Saints in light. That a clod of earth should be made an heir of heaven, deserves the highest wonder. All these are mysteries. So the wonderful effects of the word in convincing sinners, 1 Cor. 14. 25. Thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. Heb. 4. 12.
