PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton — Volume 1
Thomas Manton · 332,975 words · 331 reading sections
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LIBRARY OF PRINCETON MAR 2 4 ?0G THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THE WORKS OF THOMAS MANTON, D.D. VOL. I. COUNCIL OF PUBLICATION. W. LINDSAY ALEXANDER, D.D., Professor of Theologj-, Congregational Union, Edinburgh. JAMES BEGG, D.D., Minister of Newington Free Church, Edinburgh. THOMAS J. CRAWFORD, D.D., S.T.P., Professor…
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1 Anthony Wood ('Atlienaj Oxon.,' p. 600) says he was accounted in his college a hot-headed person — which is as remote from what was known to be the true character of Dr Manton as it is agi-eeable to his own. If he had not been a hot-headed writer, he would not everywhere appear so full of prejudice and spite, nor hav…
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In his epistle to Lady Popham he tells her, ' It is a lovely conjunc- tion when goodness and greatness meet together. Persons of estate and respect have more temptations and hindrances than others, but greater obligations to own God. The great Landlord of the world expects rent from every cottage, but a larger revenue …
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XU MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER Dr Manton had a great respect for Mr Christopher Love, who was beheaded in the year 1651, by the then Parliament, for being concerned with some others in sending remittances abroad to support the royal family in their distress. I am informed that he attended him on the scaffold at …
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While he was minister at Covent Garden, he was invited to preach before the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, and the Companies of the city, upon some public occasion, at St Paul's. The doctor chose some difficult subject, in which he had opportunity of displaying his judgment and learning, and appearing to the best ad…
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' I remain your most loving brother, ' Edward Reynolds, B.X. 'London, April 1, 1G60.' He was offered at this time the deanery of Rochester, wliicli Dr Harding was in great fear he would accept, and plied him with lettei-s to come to some resolution ; having reason to hope that, upon his refusal, he should obtain it,…
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In whatsoever company he was, he had courage, as became a faith- ful minister of Christ, to oppose sin ; and upon proper occasions, to reprove sinners. Duke Lauderdale, who pretended to carry it with great respect to him, in some company where the doctor was present, behaved himself very indecently : the doctor modestl…
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Not long after the Act of Ejectment, when the Government was forming a plot for the Presbyterians, for they had none of their own, in a debate in the House of Lords, Dr Ward, bishop of Salisbury, said, ' It was time to look after them, when such men as Dr Manton refused to take the oaths ;' which slander was soon contr…
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1 Gen. xxxix. 21, 22. XX MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER favour and preferment, I believe will appear shocking, at this distance, to all impartial lovers of liberty and of their country, and fix a brand for ever upon the gratitude and politics of those times. Some time after his imprisonment, when the indulgence w…
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When he first began to grow into ill health, he could not be per- suaded by his friends and physicians to forbear preaching for any considerable time ; which had been the delightful work of his life. He was at length prevailed with to spend some time at Woburn, with Lord Wharton, for the benefit of the air. But finding…
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' Consider him as a Christian, his life was answerable to his doc- trine. This servant of God was like a fruitful tree, which produces in the branches what it contains in the root. His inward grace was made visible in a conversation becoming the gospel. His resolute con- tempt of the world secured him from being wrough…
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OF THOMAS MANTON, D.D. XXV hypocrisy, and live in open violation of Christ's precepts, and yet presume to be saved by him. ' I shall only add further, they commend to our ardent affections and endeavours true holiness, as distinguished from the most refined unregenerate morality. The doctor saw the absolute necessity…
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In the year 1684 Dr Bates published his ' Exposition of the Lord's Prayer,' in octavo. In 1685 Mr Hurst published, in octavo, ' Several Discourses tending to promote Peace and Holiness among Christians;' and dedicated them to Arthur, Earl of Anglesea, to whom he was chaplain. In the same year was published, ' Christ's …
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XXVIU MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER solid, preaching by tlie same person was little less than miraculous. He was a good and learned, a grave and judicious, person ; and his auditory never failed, though he laboured more than most preachers, to hear from him a pious, learned, and judicious discourse. He is one of t…
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1 One is ' Meat for the Eater ; or, Hopes of Unity in and by Divided and Distracted Times,' on Zech. xiv. 10. The other is 'England's Spiritual Languishing, with the Causes and Cure,' on Rev. ii. 3. - Anthony Wood mentions 'Smectymnus Redivivus,' in answer to 'The Humble Remonstrance,' Lond. 1653, which I have never s…
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He was a strict observer of family religion. His method was this : he began morning and evening with a short prayer, then read a chap- ter, his children and servants were obliged to remember some part of it, which he made easy and pleasant to them by a familiar exposition ; then he concluded with a longer prayer. Notwi…
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This divine comprehensive prayer is the subject of the following sermons, wherein the characters of Dr Manton's spirit are so con- spicuous, as sufficiently discover them to be his ; and the reader is assured they have been diligently compared with his own cojn'. William Ijates. INTRODUCTION. But tJiou, ivhen thou p…
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4. Again, there Christ speaks of the general bent of our conver- sation, and here only of particular and private duties. It would argue too much hypocrisy to do these in public, though the whole frame and course of our carriage before men must be religious in their sight. And that is agreeable to what the apostle saith…
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Well, then, Christ, having disproved the practice of the Pharisees, seeks to set his own disciples right in the management of their prayers, as well as in their alms. Pharisaism is very natural in the best. We are apt to be haunted with a carnal spirit in the best duties ; not only in alms, where we have to do with men…
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Mat. VI. G-S.] exposition of the lord's prayer. 9 when you seek another paymaster, you decline God, yea, you make him your footstool, a step to some other thing. III. Here are the encouragements to this personal, private, and solitary prayer ; and they are taken from God's sight, and God's re- ward. 1. From God's si…
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The point is this : — Doct. That private, solitary, and closet-prayer is a duty very neces- sary and j)rofitable. It is a necessary duty ; for Christ supposeth it of his disciples, to whom he speaks : ' But thou, when thou prayest,' &,c. And it is pro- fitable, for unto it God makes promises : You have a Father which…
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3. I might argue from God's end in pouring out the Holy Ghost ; Avherefore hath God poured out his Spirit? Zech. xii. 11-14, ' I will pour out the Spirit of grace and of supplication,' &c. He poureth out the Spirit, that it may break out by this vent : the Spirit of grace will presently run into supplication ; the whol…
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A hypocrite, he finds a greater flash of gifts in his public duties, when he prays with others, and is the mouth of others ; but is slight and superficial when alone with God ; if he feels anything, a little overly matter serves the turn. But usually God's children most affectionately pour out their hearts before him i…
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Mat. VI. 6-S.] exposition of the lord's prayer. 15 How will your own hearts reproach you then, that have neglected God, and lost such precious hours as you should have redeemed for communion with him ! Sins of omission argue as great a contempt of God's authority as sins of commission ; for the same law which forbids …
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3. It is the omission of personal and secret prayer, which in some respects should be more prized than other prayer. Partly, because here our converse with God is more express as to our own case. When we join with others, God may do it for their sakes, but here, Ps. cxvi. 1, 'I love the Lord, because he hath heard my …
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VOL. I. B 18 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE [MaT. VI. 6-8. But now, to avoid the stroke of this reproof, what will men do ? Either deny the gnilt, or excuse themselves. First, Some will deny the guilt. They do call upon God, and use private prayer, therefore think themselves to be free from this reproof. Yea, but are you as…
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1. Some plead they want time. Why, if you have time for other things, you should have a time for God. Shall we have a season for all things, and not for the most necessary work ? Hast thou time to eat, drink, sleep, follow thy trading (how dost thou live else ?), and no time to be saved — no time to be familiar with Go…
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Mat. VL 6-8.] exposition of the lord's prayer. 21 him somewhat that is 3'our own ; and it will be of exceeding profit to yon, and make your communion with him more seasonable and orderly. This will make you careful and watchful how you spend your other hours, that you may not be unfit when times of prayer come. 1 Pet.…
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But ivlien ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do ; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye, therefore, like unto them; for your Father knoioetli what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. — Mat. VI. 7, 8. Our Lord having spoken of the ostentation of the Pharisees, and …
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2. The babbler is another extreme, who thinlis the commendation of a duty is to be long in it, and afiects to say much rather than well ; whereas serious and short speech makes the best prayer: Prov. x. 19, ' In the multitude of words there Avanteth not sin ; ' either to God or men, it is true ; but especially when aff…
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2. The affectation of prolixity is naught. Usually it comes from some evil ground, either from pride and ostentation of gifts ; — thus we read the Pharisees were taxed for making long prayers, Mat. xxiii. 26 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE [MaT. VI. G-8. 14, that, under the colour of them, they might devour widows' houses ; t…
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But more particularly : their error in this matter was charging weakness and harshness upon God, or not worshipping him according to his spiritual nature. [1.] Charging weakness upon God, as if many words did help him to understand their meaning, or to remember their petitions the better. Hence that practice of Baal's…
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^ 'Disapproves.' — Ed. Mat. VI. 6-8.] exposition of the lord's prayer. 29 God's hearing. We wrestle with God, that we may catch a heat our- selves. And therefore words should be only used as they conduce to the strengthening our faith, or continuing our affection to God ; longer than they serve that end in prayer, th…
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Mat. VI. 6-8. J exposition of the lord's prayer. 31 we open and unbosom ourselves to God, and then all is quiet. Also it preparetli us for the improvement of mercies, when we have them out of the hands of God by prayer : 1 Sam. i. 27, 28, ' For this child I prayed,' said Hannah, ' and I will lend him unto the Lord.' T…
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5. Popish repetition, and loose shreds of prayer often repeated, as they have in their liturgy over and over again ; their Gloria Patri, so often repeated ; their Lord have mercy ; and in their prayer made to Jesus, sweet Jesus, blessed Jesus ; and going over the Ave Maria, and this to be tumbled over upon their beads,…
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For instance : — [1.] For the first notion, God's being. Then is our worship right, when it doth proclaim to all that shall observe us, or we that ob- serve ourselves, there is a great, an infinite, eternal power, which sits at the upper end of causes, and governeth all according to his own pleasure. Alas ! the worshi…
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4. There may be a child-like love to God, when yet we have not a sense and assurance of his paternal love to us. God hath a title to our choicest and dearest love before we can make out a title to his highest benefits. We owe our hearts to him : Pro v. xxxiii. 26, ' My son, give me thy heart' If you give him your heart…
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Mat. VI. 6-S.] exposition of the lord's prvAYER. o7 cern between lusts and groans, words and affections, and such words as are the belches of the flesh, and such as are the breathings of the spirit. [2.] There is his fatherly care , for it is said, ' Your Father knows what things you have need of.' He knows what pinc…
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1. The preface. 2. The petitions themselves. 3. The conclusion. 10 AN EXPOSITION OF [MaT. VI. 9. In the preface we have a description of God, as always we shoukl begin prayer with awful thoughts of God. God is described partly from his goodness and mercy — Our Father; and partly from his greatness and majesty — zvh…
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But now let me distinguish again. God is a father to mankind, either: — 1. In a more general consideration and respect, by creation ; or, 2. In a more special regard, by adoption. First, By creation God is a father. At first he gave a being to all things ; but to men and angels he gave reason : John i. 4, ' And this…
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[3.] It giveth us confidence in the power of God. He which made us out of nothing is able to keep, preserve, and supply us when all things fail, and in the midst of all dangers. Saints are able to make use of this common relation. And therefore it is said, 1 Pet. iv. 19, that we should ' commit our souls unto him in we…
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[3.] Then do but consider the consequents of it, both in this life and the life to come. In this life, what immunities and privileges have we ! Free access to God ; we may come and treat with him when we please, as children to a father, when we stand in need of anything. ' We have received the spirit of adoption, where…
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But particularly, How will God perform the parts of a father ? [1.] In allowing them full leave to come to him in all their neces- sities : Gal. iv. 6, ' Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.' There is a spirit that attendeth upon this state. They which …
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Thus, then, it is a mighty advantage. If we did take up God in this notion, to look upon him as a father, it would increase our con- fidence and dependence upon him. This is a sweet relation : the 48 AX EXPOSITION OF [Mat. VI. 9. reality is more in God than can be in an earthly father ; for he is a father according t…
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But if this be a truth, that all those which would pray aright must clear up their adoption and get a sense of it, then here will doubts arise. Therefore here I shall handle three cases : — 1. What shall natural men do ? Must they desist from prayer ? for they have no right to it, 2. What shall they do which have not…
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[3.] The third policy we should use in prayer is to call him Father in wish : Optando, si non affirmando. If we cannot do it by direct affirmation, let us do it by desire. Let us pray ourselves into this relation, and groan after it, that we mav have a clearer sense that God is our Father in Christ. Mat. VI. 9.] the l…
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(4.) The Spirit helps us to compare them with the rule, and ac- cordingly to judge of their sincerity. The Spirit opens our under- standings, that we may be able to discern the intent and scope of the scripture, that so we may not be mistaken. We must plough with God's heifer if we would understand the riddle : ' In th…
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(3.) By a child-like reverence and dread of God, when we are afraid to offend God : Jer. xxxv. .5, 6. The sons of Rechab, their father had commanded them that they should drink no wine ; now saith God by the prophet, ' Set pots full of wine, and cups, and say unto them, 54 AN EXPOSITION OF [MaT. VI. 9. Drink ye wine …
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Quest. But how shall we know that we do indeed resign up ourselves to God ? I answer. When we make him our chief good and our utmost end — that is, when we unfeignedly choose him for our portion, and set apart ourselves to act for his glory. 1 . When we choose and cleave to him as our all-sufficient portion : ' The L…
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Mat. VI. 9.] the lord's rrvAYER, 57 Eedeemer. The weak should not despise nor disdain the strong, nor the rich he ashamed to own the poor as hrethren. We should never be ashamed to own him as a brother whom God will own as a son. IVhich art in heaven. We have considered the title given to God with respect to his goo…
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[2.] Therefore God is said to dwell in heaven, because from thence he manifesteth his powerful providence, wisdom, justice, and goodness. God is not so shut up in heaven as not to mind human affairs, and to take notice of what is done here below : Ps. xi. 4, ' The Lord's throne is in heaven : his eyes behold, his eyeli…
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CO AX EXPOSITION OF [MaT. VI. 9. liavin<;^ not seen, ye love : in wliom, though now 3-6 see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory.' And this is that which discovereth the faithless and disobedient world : Job xxii. 12-14, ' Is not God in the height of heaven ? How doth God know ? c…
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[4.] It teacheth us that all our prayers should carry a correspondence with our great aim. AVhat is our great aim ? To be with God in heaven, as remembering that is the centre and place of our rest, U which we are all tending: Col. iii. 1, ' If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Chri…
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Into this holy of holies none but the high priest did enter, and that once a year, after the sacrifice of atonement for the whole congregation : then the high priest was to come into the holy of holies, he was to pass through the veil with blood and with sweet incense in his hand. Just thus is Jesus entered into the he…
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2. Let me especially press you to this : with an eye of faith to look within the veil ; and whenever you come to pray, to see God in heaven, and Christ at his right hand. The great work of faith is to see him that is invisible ; and the great duty of prayer is to get a sight of God in heaven, and Christ at his right ha…
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VOL. I. 66 AN EXPOSITION OF [MaT. VI. 9. Hallowed he tliy name. We are now come to the first petition of the Lord's Prayer ; there three things will fall under discussion : — I. The order of this petition. II. The necessity of putting up such a request to God. III. The sense and meaning of the petition itself. I. …
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[1.] Carnal self By a foolish mistake we take our lusts to be our- selves: Col. iii. 5, * Mortify your members here upon earth.' And these members he makes to be fornication, uncleanness, and the like. Our sins are as dear to us as any essential or intregal part of the body ; they are our members. Now, these should hav…
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Mat, VI. 9. J the lord's prayer. 09 be glorified, that we should be to tlie praise of his glorious grace. Grace wrought in us is but a creature, aud not to be preferred before the Creator. See how the apostle pra3's: 2 Thcs. i. 11, 12, ' We pray- always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and…
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5. From the nature of prayer. The whole spiritual life it is a living to God : Gal. ii. 19, ' I am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.' The whole tendency and ordination of all acts of the spiritual life they are to God. Even the natural life is overruled and directed to this end ; there is an eating and drink…
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72 AN EXPOSITION OF [MaT. VI. 9. for their own honour, that their hists may be fed by the con- tributions of heaven ; so, by a wicked design, they would even make God to serve the devil. The best of us, when we come to pray, what a deep sense have we of our own wants, and no desire of the glory of God ! If we beg dail…
1,084 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1870); OCR text from Internet Archive. OCR may contain scanning/transcription errors. Verify quotations against page images when precision matters.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.