The Complete Works of Thomas Manton, D.D. (Volume 18); With a Memoir of the Author (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1874. Excerpt: ... SERMON UPON PSALM VIII. 2. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and avenger.--Ps. viii. 2. The scope of this psalm is to glorify God for the singular dignity he hath put upon man above all his works. The expressions literally and apparently refer to God's works of creation and providence about him; but in a divine and more spiritual sense the mysteries of redemption are intended, and secretly couched under them, as appeareth by the frequent quotations of this psalm in the New Testament. There is a double honour put upon mankind-- 1. That God hath ordained man, that feeble and weak creature, to subdue and conquer his enemies. 2. That God hath made him lord of all his other creatures; both which concern not only man in general, but especially Jesus Christ, God made man, and therefore both are applied to him. The first when the children welcome him with the acclamations proper to the Messiah: Mat. xxi. 15,16, ' When the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, Hosanna to the son of David, they were sore displeased, and said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? and Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?' The other in many places, especially Heb. ii. 6-8, ' But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou hast made him little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet: for in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put un...