A51846:684
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.
3. Observe, His Crime is, he went and digged in the Earth, and hid his Lords Money. Men dig in the Earth to find Metals and Talents, not to hide them there. Mark, 'tis not said he did embezzle his Talent, as many waste their Substance in riotous Living, quench brave parts in excess, sin away many precious Advantages of Ordinances and Education, and powerful Convictions: No, he did not embezzle his Talent, but hid it. Mark again, he did not Misemploy his Talent, as some do their Wealth, others their Wit, to scoff at Religion, or to put a Varnish on the Devils Cause; their Power, to Oppress and crush the good: The precious Gifts that many have, are like a Sword in a mad-mans hand, they use them to hurt and mischief: No, no such thing is charged upon this evil and naughty Servant. 'Tis Fault enough to hide our Talents, though we do not abuse them. That you may conceive of this, I shall show you, 1. His Sin, in hiding his Lords Money. 2. What may be the Cause of it, in those that imitate him.
3. Observe, His Crime is, he went and digged in the Earth, and hid his Lords Money. Men dig in the Earth to find Metals and Talents, not to hide them there. Mark, 'tis not said he did imbezzle his Talent, as many waste their Substance in riotous Living, quench brave parts in excess, sin away many precious Advantages of Ordinances and Education, and powerful Convictions: No, he did not imbezzle his Talent, but hid it. Mark again, he did not Misimploy his Talent, as some do their Wealth, others their Wit, to scoff at Religion, or to put a Varnish on the Devils Cause; their Power, to Oppress and crush the good: The precious Gifts that many have, are like a Sword in a mad-mans hand, they use them to hurt and mischief: No, no such thing is charged upon this evil and naughty Servant. 'Tis Fault enough to hide our Talents, though we do not abuse them. That you may conceive of this, I shall shew you, 1. His Sin, in hiding his Lords Money. 2. What may be the Cause of it, in those that imitate him.
First, 'Twas a Sin; Partly because 'twas against the command of his Master. In Luke 19.13. He gave them a Charge, Occupy till I come: Partly, because 'twas against the end of the Distribution of the Talents: to keep Money unprofitably by us, is a loss; 'twas made for Commerce, so were Gifts given us to profit withal; scattered into several hands, to bring in some increase to the Lord and Owner: Partly because 'twas against the Example of his Fellow-Servants, who were industrious and careful to comply with their Charge.