A51846:411
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, With respect to the Ground and Foundation that was laid for it in Christs Incarnation, or at his first coming. Marriage is between parties of the same kind, as in the first Marriage Adam called Eve, Bone of his Bone, and Flesh of his Flesh, Gen. 2.20. So Christ came to fit himself for that relation of Husband to his Church, by taking our nature upon him, and therefore the Apostle when he speaketh of the Marriage between Christ and his Church, useth the same name which Adam had used, Eph. 5.30. For we are members of his Body, of his Flesh, and of his Bone. When Christ was in the world, he made a way for the Marriage: He parted from us 'tis true, but there was an interchange of tokens, he took our Flesh, and left with us his Spirit.
Secondly, With respect to our first Entrance into this relation, when first converted to God, or upon our thankful, broken-hearted, willing acceptance of Christ for Lord and Husband. All Marriage is uttered into by a consent; Christ giveth his Consent in the Promises, and we by Faith, which is a broken-hearted, willing and thankful acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the ends for which God offereth him. Where note, that Faith is an Acceptance of Christ, John 1.12. To as many as received him: Next for the mode and manner of this Acceptance, 'tis Broken-hearted, because we are undeserving and ill deserving Creatures, altogether unworthy to be taken into such a near relation to Christ; as Abigail when David sent to her to make her his Wife, debased her self, 1 Sam. 25.40, 41. Let thine hand-maid wash the feet of thy Servants. Alas, who are we? A poor trembling Soul is afraid of being too bold, but Gods offer encourageth it. And as 'tis a broken-hearted, so 'tis a Willing acceptance of Christ; for Christ will not draw us into this Relation by force, or bestow the Privileges of it without or against our consent,