Made for God

 "This life is not to be valued but as it yields opportunities to glorify God. We are not sent into the world to live for ourselves, but for God. If we could make ourselves, then we could live for ourselves....But God made us for himself, and sent us into the world for himself. It is not our duty to glorify God in heaven only, but also here on earth in the midst of difficulties and temptations. No one is sent into the world to be idle, or to bring forth fruit to themselves, but God's glory must be our chief work and aim while we are here upon earth."

~ Thomas Manton 1620-1677

Through Faith

 We are not said to be justified 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘮 (on account of faith) but 𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘮 (through faith).

—Puritan Thomas Manton, Works 13:478

Faith is said to justify, because without it we cannot apprehend the righteousness of Christ; as the hand may be said to feed and nourish the body, but the nutritive virtue is not in the hand, but in the meat. —Puritan Thomas Manton, Works 13:477

Abounding Grace

 We must not sin that grace may abound; but when we have sinned, we must make use of abounding grace.

—Puritan Thomas Manton, Works 11:158

Ten Virgins

 A lamp without oil may shine for a moment, but it cannot endure delay. So it is with a religion that rests only in outward profession. Words may be orthodox, duties may be performed, and hopes may be confidently spoken, but if there is no inward work of the Spirit, no hidden supply of grace within, the light will fail when it is most needed.

The wise virgins were not distinguished by a louder profession, but by a secret provision. They had oil in their vessels. Their faith was fed from within. It was sustained not by appearance, but by principle, by the Spirit’s gracious work in the heart.

--Thomas Manton

Spiritual Deadness.

 God’s children are under [felt spiritual] deadness sometimes, which happeneth to them for many causes:

1. By reason of some sin committed, and not repented of, or not fully repented of. 2. By some good omitted, especially neglect of the means [of grace] whereby we may be kept alive, fresh and lively in God’s service. If we will not attend upon God in the means of grace, he will not bring us that help, comfort, and supply that otherwise we might have. 3. Another cause is unthankfulness for benefits received, especially spiritual benefits. 4. Pride in gifts; for we are told, ‘God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.’ The garland we put on our heads soon withers… 5. Some great and heavy troubles. When we are afflicted sore, there is a deadness upon the heart, the spiritual life clogged. 6. Another cause is carnal liberty, or intermeddling with worldly vanities. When the children of God let loose their minds to vanity, and take immoderate liberty in the delights of the flesh, there is a deadness [that] comes upon them. In such cases, the Word of God is the only means to quicken us (i.e bring us back to life, revive us). The quickening Spirit delights to work by this means. If you would be quickened, you must use the means, attend upon reading and preaching, and meditating upon the Word. —Puritan Thomas Manton, See: Works 7:429-31, 33 and 38

ETERNITY SHOULD BE HIS SCOPE

A man's greatest care should be for that place where he lives longest; therefore eternity should be his scope. THOMAS MANTON

MEDITATIONS P2

What is the reason there is so much preaching and so little practice? For want of meditation.... Constant thoughts are operative, and musing makes the fire burn. Green wood is not kindled by a flash or spark, but by constant blowing.

—Thomas Manton

God's Glory

"God's glory is the end of our being and doing, for being and doing are both from him, and therefore for him alone."

- Thomas Manton