A51845:544
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.
1. I'll mention the first, to gather the Saints together, to draw all his scattered People into one holy Body and Communion. Psal. 50. 5. Gather my Saints together unto me, those that have made a Covenant with me by Sacrifice. Now they are scattered up and down, as God hath Service for them to do; one here, another there; they are spread in several Places, where they are like two or three Berries in the uppermost top of the Bough. That Psalm is generally acknowledged to be spoken of the Day of Judgment, then they are gathered to meet in one great Assembly; the Psalmist speaks of the great Congregation of the Righteous, where the Sinners shall not stand. Psal. 1. 5. At that great Day when Christ comes, all the Saints shall make but one Assembly, and one Congregation. As the Wicked shall be bundled together, and the Tares cast into unquenchable Fire; so all the Saints shall be gathered together into one great Assembly, and this glads their Hearts. Therefore we are not feasted to the full, because we have not all our Company; all the Guests do not meet together, until the Day the Son of God comes to bless the Elect.
2. He comes to proclaim our Pardon, and to pronounce the Sentence of our Acquittance juridically in Court, as Judg upon the Throne. Our Pardon is past, and sealed as to Conscience, then he will blot out all our Sins; therefore it is said, Acts 3. 19. That your Iniquities may be blotted out, when the Times of refreshing shall come from the Presence of the Lord. He comes then to comfort and refresh the Souls of the Saints, by proclaiming ⟨p. 237⟩their Pardon in the Ears of all the World. To whomsoever the Throne of Christ is terrible, it should not be terrible to the Saints: If he comes as a Judg to them, he comes to acquit them upon the Throne, he means no trouble to them.
2. He comes to proclaim our Pardon, and to pronounce the Sentence of our Acquittance juridically in Court, as Judg upon the Throne. Our Pardon is past, and seal'd as to Conscience, then he will blot out all our Sins; therefore it is said,