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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 reciprocal relationship between glorifying Christ and receiving His intercession and acknowledgment in heaven. Those who confess and honor Christ on earth will be confessed and honored by Him before the Father in heaven. However, those who disown Christ by seeking selfish gains will not be acknowledged by Him. It is crucial to prioritize glorifying Christ in all we do to receive His blessings and favor.
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Seeing to Business
"I am glorified in them" (John 17:10). Those that mind Christ's glory, he mindeth their salvation. He is interceding for you in heaven when you are glorifying him on earth; he is doing your business in heaven when you are doing his business in the world; he is your advocate, and you are his bailiffs and factors: Matt. 10:32, 'Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.' When you own Christ in the world, and avow his name and truth in the world, you shall lose nothing. When you come to pray, Christ will own you: Father, hear him, this is one of mine. You cannot honor Christ so much as he will honor you. When carnal men come to pray, Christ saith, 'I know them not.' Oh! it is sad to be disowned in the court of heaven, when Christ disclaimeth any interest or intendment in his purchase for us, they are nothing akin to me, are none of mine. When we do all things for by-ends, we disclaim God for a paymaster, and therefore must look for our reward elsewhere.
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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.