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Thomas Manton
Thomas Manton (1620–October 18, 1677) was an English Puritan preacher, theologian, and author, renowned for his eloquent sermons and extensive biblical commentaries during a tumultuous era of religious and political upheaval. Born in Laurence Lydiard (now Lydiard St. Lawrence), Somerset, to a poor curate father of the same name, Manton was educated at Blundell’s School in Tiverton and Hart Hall, Oxford, where he matriculated at 15 in 1635 under Ralph Button’s mentorship. Ordained a deacon at 19 in 1639—unusually young—he began preaching at Sowton, Devon, and by 1640 was lecturing at St. Mary’s, Colyton, gaining notice for his expository skill. Manton’s preaching career flourished as he moved to London, serving St. Paul’s, Covent Garden, from 1644 to 1656, where he drew crowds with sermons later published as practical divinity classics. A Presbyterian, he supported the Solemn League and Covenant, preached before Parliament, and served as a Westminster Assembly scribe and trier of ministers under Cromwell. After the Restoration, he was appointed a royal chaplain in 1660 but ejected in 1662 under the Act of Uniformity, refusing to conform. Undeterred, he preached privately in his St. Paul’s home and, after 1670, at a Pinners’ Hall lectureship and a secret meeting house, enduring brief imprisonments in 1670 and 1675. His 22-volume Works, including commentaries on James, Jude, Psalm 119, and Christ’s temptations, reflect his meticulous, heart-stirring style.
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Thomas Manton preaches about the temporary nature of worldly possessions and the enduring nature of God's Word. He emphasizes the importance of seeking eternal treasures over temporary pleasures, as everything in the world is passing away. Manton encourages focusing on the immortal soul's need for eternal good and the lasting riches found in righteousness. He warns against being content with outward happiness that fades away, urging the congregation to prioritize the better, eternal part that cannot be taken away.
Eternal Riches
"The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever" (1 Peter 1:24-25). Be not contented with outward happiness; things are worthy according to their duration. Nature hath such a sense of God's eternity that the more lasting things are, it accounteth them the better. The immortal soul must have an eternal good. Now all things in the world are frail and passing away, therefore they are called 'uncertain riches,' 1 Tim. 6:17, compared with Prov. 8:18, 'Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.' The flower of these things perisheth, their grace passeth away; in the midst of their pride and beauty, like Herod in his royalty, they vanish and are blasted. The better part is not taken away: Luke 10:42, 'Mary hath chosen the better part, which cannot be taken away from her.' A man may outlive his happiness, be stripped of the flower of all. Worldly glory is sure to end with life, that is transitory; and still they are uncertain riches, uncertain whether we shall get them, uncertain whether we shall keep them. By a care of the better part, we may have these things with a blessing: Matt. 6:33, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof, and all these things shall be added to you.'
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Thomas Manton (1620–October 18, 1677) was an English Puritan preacher, theologian, and author, renowned for his eloquent sermons and extensive biblical commentaries during a tumultuous era of religious and political upheaval. Born in Laurence Lydiard (now Lydiard St. Lawrence), Somerset, to a poor curate father of the same name, Manton was educated at Blundell’s School in Tiverton and Hart Hall, Oxford, where he matriculated at 15 in 1635 under Ralph Button’s mentorship. Ordained a deacon at 19 in 1639—unusually young—he began preaching at Sowton, Devon, and by 1640 was lecturing at St. Mary’s, Colyton, gaining notice for his expository skill. Manton’s preaching career flourished as he moved to London, serving St. Paul’s, Covent Garden, from 1644 to 1656, where he drew crowds with sermons later published as practical divinity classics. A Presbyterian, he supported the Solemn League and Covenant, preached before Parliament, and served as a Westminster Assembly scribe and trier of ministers under Cromwell. After the Restoration, he was appointed a royal chaplain in 1660 but ejected in 1662 under the Act of Uniformity, refusing to conform. Undeterred, he preached privately in his St. Paul’s home and, after 1670, at a Pinners’ Hall lectureship and a secret meeting house, enduring brief imprisonments in 1670 and 1675. His 22-volume Works, including commentaries on James, Jude, Psalm 119, and Christ’s temptations, reflect his meticulous, heart-stirring style.