A51845:182
A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer
A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer by ... Thomas Manton.
London: printed by J.D., 1684
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.
6. There is a difference between the Gift it self, and the Degree. We cannot say we have not the Spirit of Adoption, because we have not so much of the Spirit of Adoption as others have; I mean as to the Effects: We may have the Spirit as a Sanctifier, tho not as a Comforter; tho he doth not calm our Hearts, and rebuke our Fears, yet if he doth sanctify us, and incline us to God. The Spirit was only given to Christ without measure, but to Christians in a different Measure and Proportion; and usually, as you submit more to his gracious Conduct, and overcome the Enemies of your Peace, the Devil, the World, and the Flesh. The impression is left upon some in a smaller, and upon others in a larger Character. All are not of one growth and size; some are more explicitly Christians, others in a Riddle. Much Grace doth more discover it self, than a little Grace under a heap of Imperfection. Some are more mortified and Heavenly-minded than others.
6. There is a difference between the Gift it self, and the Degree. We cannot say we have not the Spirit of Adoption, because we have not so much of the Spirit of Adoption as others have; I mean as to the Effects: We may have the Spirit as a Sanctifyer, tho not as a Comforter; tho he doth not calm our Hearts, and rebuke our Fears, yet if he doth sanctify us, and incline us to God. The Spirit was only given to Christ without measure, but to Christians in a different Measure and Proportion; and usually, as you submit more to his gracious Conduct, and overcome the Enemies of your Peace, the Devil, the World, and the Flesh. The impression is left upon some in a smaller, and upon others in a larger Character. All are not of one growth and size; some are more explicitely Christians, others in a Riddle. Much Grace doth more discover it self, than a little Grace under a heap of Imperfection. Some are more mortified and Heavenly-minded than others.
7. When all other Helps fail, Faith will make use of our common Relation to God as a Creator, as we may come to him as the workmanship of his Hands. It is better to do so than keep off from him. And we may come to him as the workmanship of his Hands, when we cannot come to him as Children of his Family. The Church saith,