A89503:95
A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude
A practical commentary, or An exposition with notes on the Epistle of Jude. Delivered (for the most part) in sundry weekly lectures at Stoke-Newington in Middlesex. By Thomas Manton, B.D. and minister of Covent-Garden.
London: printed by J.M. for Luke Fawn, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
4. The next thing that looketh like Sanctification, but is not, is common grace: This is a distinct thing from all the rest, yet I call it common grace, because it may be in them that fall away and depart from God: It differeth from Civility, because it is more Christian and Evangelical; from Formality, because that is only in pretence and show, whereas this is a real work upon the Soul; from restraining grace, because ⟨p. 45⟩that is only conversant about sins and duties out of a servile awe of God, but this seemeth to carry out the Soul with some affection to Christ; it is a common work, good in its self, which God ordaineth in some to be a preparation and beginning of the work of grace: Of this the Apostle speaketh, Heb. 6. 4, 5. where he calleth it an enlightening, a taste of Christ and of the powers of the world to come, and a partaking of the Holy Ghost; meaning of the gifts of the Spirit, abilities for holy duties, &c. of all which elsewhere; only now let me note three things. 1. That the light there spoken of is not humbling. 2. The taste is not ravishing, and drawing out the Soul after more of Christ. 3. Their gifts are not renewing and sanctifying.
4. The next thing that looketh like Sanctification, but is not, is common grace: This is a distinct thing from all the rest, yet I call it common grace, because it may be in them that fall away and depart from God: It differeth from Civility, because it is more Christian and Evangelical; from Formality, because that is only in pretence and shew, whereas this is a real work upon the Soul; from restraining grace, because ⟨p. 45⟩that is only conversant about sins and duties out of a servile awe of God, but this seemeth to carry out the Soul with some affection to Christ; it is a common work, good in its self, which God ordaineth in some to be a preparation and begining of the work of grace: Of this the Apostle speaketh, Heb. 6. 4, 5. where he calleth it an enlightening, a taste of Christ and of the powers of the world to come, and a partaking of the Holy Ghost; meaning of the gifts of the Spirit, abilities for holy duties, &c. of all which elsewhere; only now let me note three things. 1. That the light there spoken of is not humbling. 2. The taste is not ravishing, and drawing out the Soul after more of Christ. 3. Their gifts are not renewing and sanctifying.