A51847:304
Sermons preached
Sermons preached by the late reverend and learned divine, Thomas Manton ...
London: printed for Brabazon Aylmer, 1678
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.
1. It is not a speculative, but Practical Love, not consisting in lofty airy strains of devotion too high for the common rate of us poor Mortals; no it is put upon a surer and infallible Test, our Obedience to God. Again, it consists not in a bold familiarity, but in an humble subjection and compliance with his Will. He that hath my Commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me; God's love is a love of Bounty, but ours a love of Duty; therefore we are properly said to love God, when we are careful to please him, and fearful to offend him. The Scripture declares both: the first, This is love, to keep his Commandments, and his Commandments are not grievous. The second, Psal. 97 10. Ye that love the Lord, hate evil. When we are fearful of committing or omitting any thing may be a violation of his Law, a grief to his Spirit, or a dishonour to his Name, then we are said to love God. What ever lofty and luscious strains of devotion, we may otherwise please our selves with, here will our Trial rest. He doth not love God, that can most accurately discourse of his Attributes, ⟨p. 112⟩or soar aloft in the nice speculations of contemplative Divinity, or pretences of Secrecy with God, but he that is most awful, serious and conscientious in his Duty.
1. It is not a speculative, but Practical Love, not consisting in lofty airy strains of devotion too high for the common rate of us poor Mortals; no it is put upon a surer and infallible Test, our Obedience to God. Again, it consists not in a bold familiarity, but in an humble subjection and compliance with his Will. He that hath my Commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me; God's love is a love of Bounty, but ours a love of Duty; therefore we are properly said to love God, when we are careful to please him, and fearful to offend him. The Scripture declares both: the first, This is love, to keep his Commandments, and his Commandments are not grievous. The second, Psal. 97 10. Ye that love the Lord, hate evil. When we are fearful of committing or omitting any thing may be a violation of his Law, a grief to his Spirit, or a dishonour to his Name, then we are said to love God. What ever lofty and luscious strains of devotion, we may otherwise please our selves with, here will our Trial rest. He doth not love God, that can most accurately discourse of his Attributes,