Thomas Manton on ignorance of Christ

[Reformed Covenanter]

Ignorance. Men hear of Christ, but are not acquainted with him; many come to the ordinances, but only to sit out the hour, not to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. There is much in a man’s ends why he cometh to the ordinances: God seldom meets with a man in his word that cometh to it with a vain end; if they do not seek after knowledge they shall not find it. Many of the reports of Jesus Christ are lost upon an ignorant people; they hear the name, and do not weigh the thing in their thoughts; they look upon him as aliquem magnum—as some great person that the preachers talk of, and go no further.

Thousands are damned this way through their ignorance; they do not trouble their thoughts about getting the knowledge of Christ in his word, they come to the church and rest in that. There must be distinct apprehensions of the report of Christ before faith, not only to hear the sound, but weigh the sense: Rom. 10:14, ‘How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?’ that is, not only the sound of his name, but heard so as to weigh the doctrine that was delivered concerning him. This affected ignorance is a great hindrance when men do not apply themselves to knowledge; as it is, Prov. 2:2, 3, ‘Incline thine ear to wisdom, and apply thy heart to understanding: yea, if thou criest for knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding.’ ...

For more, see Thomas Manton on ignorance of Christ.

 

[Jeri Tanner]

Wanted to give a sad emoji as well as an amen. Profound and weighty thoughts.