A51842:895
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.
2. The Love of Christ which is in the Saints, makes them to account themselves as strangers. A child of God cannot be satisfied with things here below, because his love is set upon God. Two things the heart looks after as soon as it is awakened by grace, and Love puts us upon them both, viz. a perfect enjoyment of God, and a perfect obedience to God. (1.) That they may be with God and Christ. The Saints have heard much of Christ, read much of him, tasted and felt much of him; they would fain see him, and be with him, Phil. 1. 23. If they had the choicest contentment the world could afford, this will not satisfy them so much as to be there where Christ is, and to behold his glory. The Apostle thinks this to be motive enough to a gracious heart to seek things above, for there Christ is at the right hand of God; Love will catch hold of that, Col. 3. 1. The place is lovely for Christs sake. Love will not suffer them to count this to be their home. Though Christ is present with them now spiritually while they are here; yet the presence and nearness is but distance, but a kind of absence being compared with what is to come; and therefore this very presence doth not quench their desires, but kindle them, and sets them a longing for more. All the presence, the communion, the sight of Christ they get now, it is but mediate through the glass of the Ordinance, 1 Cor. 13. 12. and it is frequently interrupted, his face is many times hidden, Psal. 30. 7. and it is not full as it shall be there, Psal. 16. 11. But now in Heaven, there it will be immediate, God will be all in all; and there it will be constant, they shall be ever with the Lord; and there they shall be satisfied with his likeness, Psal. 17. 15. then they enjoy his presence indeed. So that Love upon these considerations sets them a longing, and groaning. (2.) As Love makes them desire the company of Christ, so entire subjection to God; they would have perfect grace and freedom from sin, therefore are ever groaning, O when shall we be rid of this body of death,