A second volume of sermons preached by the late reverend and learned Thomas Manton…

1 USE, Of Reproof, to those that think we make more ado than needeth. When we press men to a constant watchfulness, and serious diligence in the spiritual Life, no wonder that every sleight thing seemeth enough: so the foolish Virgins, Give us of your Oil; the wise Virgins are more cautious, their saying is, Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you. What thoughts have you of Christ, when you think every sleight Preparation enough for him? what sense of the world to come, when you do so little in order to it? what is it that you call Grace, that you do so easily come by it, and maintain it upon such cheap terms? Surely men have no sense of the End, or else mistake the Way, that think so little will serve the turn. Indeed a little in the world will serve the turn, if men had sober and moderate desires, and did not increase their necessities by the largeness of their affections. A man may have Estate enough for ten men, yea twenty men, and yet not be satisfied, but the best hath scarce Grace enough for one; but alas, how soon are men satisfied (such is their indifferency) about spiritual things! instead of hungering and thirsting after Righteousness, a little or none contents them; here only they are for Sobriety and Moderation, all is too much, and too easily passed over that seemeth to awaken them to a lively sense of that Religion they do profess. Christ saith, Except your Righteousness exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Matth. 5.20. What do ye more than they? And Luk. 11.24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate: They cannot endure that Christs Authority should be urged upon the Conscience; can you hope to be saved upon easier terms without all this ado? a little time will determine whose word shall stand, Gods or yours; you cannot do too much as long as you do but what God bids you: Certainly if you judge by that Rule which God hath given to try by, no man on earth is as good as he should be, and he that is best is too bad, and he that doth most, cometh unspeakably short of what he should do. All the holy ones of God complain of their naughty Hearts, that they cannot do the things that they would; they groan under the Body of Death, and cry out, Oh wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this Body of Death?

1 VSE, Of Reproof, to those that think we make more ado than needeth. When we press men to a constant watchfulness, and serious diligence in the spiritual Life, no wonder that every sleight thing seemeth enough: so the foolish Virgins, Give us of your Oyl; the wise Virgins are more cautious, their saying is, Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you. What thoughts have you of Christ, when you think every sleight Preparation enough for him? what sense of the world to come, when you do so little in order to it? what is it that you call Grace, that you do so easily come by it, and maintain it upon such cheap terms? Surely men have no sense of the End, or else mistake the Way, that think so little will serve the turn. Indeed a little in the world will serve the turn, if men had sober and moderate desires, and did not increase their necessities by the largeness of their affections. A man may have Estate enough for ten men, yea twenty men, and yet not be satisfied, but the best hath scarce Grace enough for one; but alas, how soon are men satisfied (such is their indifferency) about spiritual things! instead of hungering and thirsting after Righteousness, a little or none contents them; here only they are for Sobriety and Moderation, all is too much, and too easily passed over that seemeth to awaken them to a lively sense of that Religion they do profess. Christ saith, Except your Righteousness exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven,