A51846:122
A second volume of sermons preached by the late reverend and learned Thomas Manton…
A second volume of sermons preached by the late reverend and learned Thomas Manton in two parts : the first containing XXVII sermons on the twenty fifth chapter of St. Matthew, XLV on the seventeenth chapter of St. John, and XXIV on the sixth chapter of the Epistle of the Romans : Part II, containing XLV sermons on the eighth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, and XL on the fifth chapter of the second Epistle to the Corinthians : with alphabetical tables to each chapter, of the principal matters therein contained.
London: printed by J. Astwood for Jonathan Robinson, 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.
(4.) Unbelief. For, faith doth enliven all our Notions of God, and Christ, and Heaven, and the day of Judgement, and maketh them effectual, and powerful: The Apostle telleth us, Heb. 11.1. That Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It puts a presence into things, and so affects us, as if the things believed were before our eyes: Otherwise, a man cannot see things at a distance, 2 Pet. 1.9. Christ and Eternity are afar off. Hence to an Unbeliever they seem little; and therefore, 'tis not made a business of the greatest weight or Importance to seek after them. At the day of Judgment how will wicked men stamp, and tear their hair, when matters of Faith become matters of Sense, that they minded them no more! Oh! if I had known this, I should never have dreamed out my time as I have done, (saith the convinced Wretch) but made a more serious business of my preparation. If the day of Judgment be too far off, let us lay the Scene a little nearer: Suppose one of the damned Souls now in torments, that feeleth that which he would never believe, thus crying out; Oh! had I thought my Lazy desires and good meanings would have done me no more good, that my slothfulness would have ended so sadly; I would rather have wept out my Eyes, and have filled the World with sorrowful Complaints; I would have bereaved my self of sleep by Night, and refused my Bread by Day, rather than to have wanted time to have thought of God, and the great Affairs of my Soul. If our Faith be so short-sighted, that we cannot look as far as the Region of darkness, time may come in this World, that we shall wish we had done more for God, and our precious and immortal Souls. First or last we bear witness to this Truth; when the neglected Soul cometh to be separated from the pampered Flesh, or over-prized body: If we would learn to shut the Eye of Sense, and open the Eye of Faith, we might see it now.
(4.) Vnbelief. For, faith doth enliven all our Notions of God, and Christ, and Heaven, and the day of Judgement, and maketh them effectual, and powerful: The Apostle telleth us, Heb. 11.1. That Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It puts a presence into things, and so affects us, as if the things believed were before our eyes: Otherwise, a man cannot see things at a distance,