A51846:281
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.
First, How the Scripture presseth this upon us: In the Word of God we have not only the Doctrine of Christs coming to Judgment, but the Uses and Inferences built thereupon; I shall instance in two places in one Chapter, 2 Pet. 3.11, and 14. v. 11. What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy Conversation and Godliness! Where Observe,
1. That 'tis not enough to believe the Doctrine of Christs coming, but we must improve it to the use of holy Living. The Improvement is pressed in Scripture, as well as the Doctrine is revealed. In Gods account no Faith will go for Faith, but the working Faith; all else is but Opinion and cold Speculation; whatever Truths we ⟨p. 41⟩believe, we must bring forth to practice. Therefore if we believe steadfastly, we must live accordingly; live as men that look for such things. A bare apprehension or assent to the truth is nothing worth, unless it be accompanied with that care and diligence which belongeth to the truth so apprehended. The Christian Religion consisteth not in word, but in deed: And our belief of it is not tried by a speculative assent, especially in the absence of temptations; but by a constant and diligent practice of those duties whereunto this belief bindeth us. So that they do not truly and savingly believe such things, who are not seriously and constantly diligent in the spiritual life. I cannot say that an assent separate from practice is no Faith, but 'tis no saving Faith; 'tis such a Faith as the Devils may have, who know there is a God, and a Christ, and a World to come; they believe it and fear it; So may carnal men believe it so far as to stir up bondage and legal fears in their Hearts; but while they improve it not, and prepare not for their everlasting Estate, their Faith is ineffectual to Salvation. True Faith is tried rather by Living than by Talking: 1 John 2.4. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his Commandments, is a Liar, and the truth is not in him: There is a difference between an Untruth and a Lye; now where the Actions do not correspond to the Profession, that Profession is not only an Untruth but a Lye: There is a denying in word as well as works,