A51846:784
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, Let me observe to you, that there is a twofold fear; Filial and Servile: Child-like and Slavish. The one is a lawful and necessary fear, such as quickeneth us to Duty; Phil. 2.12. And is either the fear of Reverence, or the fear of Caution. The fear of Reverence is nothing else but that awe we are to have of the divine Majesty as Creatures, or our humble sense of the condition, place and duty of a Creature towards its Creator. The fear of Caution, is a due sense of the Importance, and Validity of the business we are engaged in, in order to Salvation: certainly, none can consider the danger we are to escape, and the blessedness we aim at, but will see a need to be serious. And therefore this fear is good and holy.
First, Let me observe to you, that there is a twofold fear; Filial and Servile: Child-like and Slavish. The one is a lawful and necessary fear, such as quickneth us to Duty; Phil. 2.12. And is either the fear of Reverence, or the fear of Caution. The fear of Reverence is nothing else but that awe we are to have of the divine Majesty as Creatures, or our humble sense of the condition, place and duty of a Creature towards its Creator. The fear of Caution, is a due sense of the Importance, and Validity of the business we are engaged in, in order to Salvation: certainly, none can consider the danger we are to escape, and the blessedness we aim at, but will see a need to be serious. And therefore this fear is good and holy.
(1.) But there is besides this, a slavish fear, which doth not further, but extremely hinder our work. For though we are to fear God, yet we are not to be afraid of God; This is that which the Apostle calleth, [Greek or Hebrew], opposite to the Spirit of Adoption, Rom. 8.15. and a cowardly fearful Spirit, opposite to that Spirit of Power and Love, and of a sound Mind, which is the principle of all faithful Service to God. They that are under the Spirit of bondage, serve not God as Children serve a Father, but as Slaves serve an hard and cruel Master. Fear is the inseparable Companion of this Spirit, which must needs be a great hinderance to our Duty; because it begets hatred to God, and the torment it bringeth to our selves: As it breedeth Hatred to God; Oderunt quem metuunt, quem odimus periisse cupimus; when we only dread God for his Vengeance, we keep off from him, as a dissolute servant hateth that Master who would scourge him for his Debaucheries: The Nature of this fear is to drive us from God.