I shall now come to speak of the mournful subject, the cause of my appearing here at this time, the deceased reverend and excellent . divine, Dr Thomas Manton, a name worthy of precious and eternal memory. And I shall consider liim botli in the quality of his office, as he was an ambassador of Christ, declaring his mind and represent- ing his authority, and in the holiness of his person, showing forth the graces and virtues of his divine Master.
God had furnished him with a rare union of those parts that are requisite to form an excellent minister of his word. A clear judgment, rich fancy, strong memory, and happy elocution met in him, and w^ere excellently improved by his diligent study.
The preaching of the word is the principal part of the minister's- duty, most essential to his calling, and most necessary to the church. For this end chiefly the several orders in the ministerial office werer instituted (Eph. iv.) ; and upon our Saviour's triumphant ascent and reception into heaven, an abundant effusion of the Spirit in graces and abilities descended upon men. Now, in the performing this work he was of that conspicuous eminence that none could detract from him but from ignorance or envy.
He was endowed with extraordinary knowledge in the scriptures, those holy oracles from whence all spiritual light is derived ; and in his preaching gave such a perspicuous account of the order and depend- ence of divine truths, and with that felicity applied the scriptures to confirm them, that every subject by his management was cultivated
144 PR jianton's funeral sermon.
and improved. His discourses were so clear and convincing, that none, without offering vohintary violence to conscience, could resist their evidence. And from hence they were effectual, not only to in- spire a sudden shame, and raise a short commotion in the affections, but to make a lasting change in the life. For in the human soul, such is the composition of its faculties, that till the understanding be rectified in its apprehensions and estimations, the will is never induced to make an entire, firm choice of what is necessary for the obtaining perfect happiness. A sincere, persevering conversion is effected by weighty reasons, that sink and settle in the heart.
His doctrine was uncorrupt and pure, ' The truth according to god- liness.' He was far from a guilty, vile intention to prostitute that sacred ordinance for the acquiring any private secular advantage. Neither did he entertain his hearers with impertinent subtleties, empty notions, intricate disputes, dry and barren without productive virtue ; but as one that always had before his eyes the great end of the min- istry, the glory of God and the salvation of men, his sermons were directed to open their eyes, that they might see their wretched con- dition as sinners, to hasten their flight from the wrath to come, to make them humbly, thankfully, and entirely receive Christ as their l)rince and all-sufficient saviour, and to ' build up the converted in their most holy faith, and more excellent love,' that is ' the fulfilling of the law.' In short, to make true christians eminent in knowledge and universal obedience.
As the matter of his sermons was designed for the good of souls, so his way of expression was proper to that end. Words are the vehicle of the heavenly light. As the divine wisdom was incarnate to reveal the eternal counsels of God to the world, so spiritual wisdom in the mind must be clothed with words to make it sensible to others. And in this he had a singular talent. His style was not exquisitely studied, not consisting of harmonious periods, but far distant from vulgar meanness. His expression was natural and free, clear and eloquent, quick and powerful, without any spice of folly, and always suitable to the simplicity and majesty of divine truths. His sermons afforded substantial food with delight, so that a fastidious mind could not disrelish them. He abhorred a vain ostentation of wit in handling sacred tilings, so venerable and grave, and of eternal consequence. Indeed, what is more unbecoming a minister of Christ than to waste the spii'its of his brain, as a spider does his bowels, to spin a web only to catch flies, to get vain applause by foolishly pleasing the ignorant ? And what cruelty is it to the souls of men ! It is recorded as an instance of Nero's savage temper (Suetonius), that in a general famine, when many perished by hunger, he ordered a ship should come from Egypt (the granary of Italy) laden with sand for the use of wrestlers. In such extremity to provide only for delight, that there might be spectacles on the theatre, when the city of Rome was a spectacle of such misery as to melt the heart of any but a Nero, was most barbarous cruelty. But it is cruelty of a heavier imputation for a minister to prepare his sermons to please the foolish curiosity of fancy with flashy conceits ; nay, such light vanities that would scarce be endured in a ■scenC; whiles hungry souls languish for want of solid nourishment.
DR MANTOn's FUNKRAL SERMON. 145
His fervour and earnestness in preaching was such as might soften and make pliant the most stubhorn, obdurate spirits. I am not speak- ing of one whose talent was only in voice, that labours in the pul[)it as if the end of preaching were for the exercise of the body, and not for the profit of souls ; l but this man of God was inflamed with an holy zeal, and from thence such ardent expressions broke forth as were capable to procure attention and consent in his hearers. He spake as one that had a living faith within him of divine truths. From this union of zeal with his knowledge he was excellently qualided to convince and convert souls. The sound of words only strikes the ear, but the mind reasons with the mind, and the heart speaks to the heart.