by Thomas Manton
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.—TITUS 2:11–14.
IN the immediate context the apostle had given direction to servants to walk amiably and faithfully in their relations; and the argument which he urgeth to persuade them is, that by this means they would 'adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things,' ver. 10; that is, represent it with advantage, and render it acceptable to the respects of others. Duties of relations are of so much use to the quiet and welfare of human society, that, when they are faithfully performed, they do much commend any way or doctrine, and induce others to speak well of it; and therefore, saith he, Be faithful in your relations, that you may make the doctrine of God comely, and adorn the gospel. Now, this adorning the gospel, it is not only an act of policy, but duty; it is but a doing right to the gospel, and giving it its proper lustre. Why? Because the same gospel which calls for duty to God as to his worship, doth also enforce the duties of our relations. A man may put a varnish upon an evil way by a plausible carriage; and though his principle have no tendency to such a practice, he may do it because it is comely in the world. But it is otherwise here. The gospel, that hath appeared to all sorts of men, presseth all sorts of duties. Yea, and which is more, it giveth grace to perform them; for the apostle doth not only argue here, but direct; he doth not only show them what they must do, but how they may come to do their duty in this kind; for saith he, 'The grace of God which bringeth salvation,'
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Table of Contents
Sermon I. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation,"
Sermon II. "Hath appeared unto all men"
Sermon III. "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness,"
Sermon IV. "That denying ungodliness,"
Sermon V. "And worldly lusts,"
Sermon VI. "And worldly lusts,"
Sermon VII. "We might live soberly,"
Sermon VIII. "We might live soberly,"
Sermon IX. "Righteously,"
Sermon X. "And godly,"
Sermon XI. "In this present world"
Sermon XII. "Looking for that blessed hope,"
Sermon XIII. "Looking for that blessed hope,"
Sermon XIV. "That blessed hope,"
Sermon XV. "That blessed hope,"
Sermon XVI. "And the glorious appearing,"
Sermon XVII. "And the glorious appearing,"
Sermon XVIII. "Of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ"
Sermon XIX. "Who gave himself for us,"
Sermon XX. "That he might redeem us from all iniquity,"
Sermon XXI. "And purifying unto himself a peculiar people,"
Sermon XXII. "Zealous of good works"