A51846:638
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, What are these Talents? In the general, all the things God hath instrusted us with, or any thing that may help to promote the glory of God; Reason, Health, Strength, Time, Parts, Interests, Power, Authority, Wealth, the Mercies of his Providence, Afflictions, Ordinances, Means of Grace; yea Grace it self. All these are vouchsafed to us freely by God, and may be improved for his glory. There is none of us but have had many advantages and opportunities put into our hands, of glorifying God, and promoting our own and others Salvation. Of all it may ⟨p. 89⟩be said, Prov. 17.16. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to use it. Reason and Parts are a Price put into your hands, so is Time and Strength, so are Riches and Power, so are Ordinances and Providences, and indeed all the Blessings of this life. God must be gainer, and also your selves. In a spiritual sense he must have a share in your Time, Strength, Wealth and Power; and you must gain by every Ordinance and every Providence something whereby you may be more fitted to glorify his name, and to do good in your generation. But more particularly, Talents may be referred to two Heads, dona sanctificantia, and administrantia; Graces, helps, and saving Gifts.
First, What are these Talents? In the general, all the things God hath instrusted us with, or any thing that may help to promote the glory of God; Reason, Health, Strength, Time, Parts, Interests, Power, Authority, Wealth, the Mercies of his Providence, Afflictions, Ordinances, Means of Grace; yea Grace it self. All these are vouchsafed to us freely by God, and may be improved for his glory. There is none of us but have had many advantages and opportunities put into our hands, of glorifying God, and promoting our own and others Salvation. Of all it may ⟨p. 89⟩be said, Prov. 17.16. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to use it. Reason and Parts are a Price put into your hands, so is Time and Strength, so are Riches and Power, so are Ordinances and Providences, and indeed all the Blessings of this life. God must be gainer, and also your selves. In a spiritual sense he must have a share in your Time, Strength, Wealth and Power; and you must gain by every Ordinance and every Providence something whereby you may be more fitted to glorifie his name, and to do good in your generation. But more particularly, Talents may be referred to two Heads, dona sanctificantia, and administrantia; Graces, helps, and saving Gifts.