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By Faith - 65 Sermons on Hebrews 11

BY FAITH
65 sermons on Hebrews 11
By Thomas Manton
Banner of Truth Trust. 698 pages

If I were to be marooned on a desert island and only allowed to take one Puritan work with me, it would have to be Manton on Hebrews 11.

Manton's sermons are addressed to and for every type of Christian, for those weak in faith, or strong in faith, well-informed, or less well-informed. Many of us might well want to re-examine our understanding of what it means to be 'Reformed' in doctrine after reading this work.

Manton was a great pastor and this shows clearly in these sermons. It is well known that many people attended the ministry of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones with the intention of speaking to him after the service about some particular problem that troubled them, only to find that before the sermon ended their problem had been answered. I can imagine that this must also have been true of Thomas Manton's preaching.

It is impossible within a few lines adequately to review this work. So let him speak for himself, by a few quotations.

For the strong Christian: 'Faith opens the heavens to the believer and brings him to the company of the blessed' (p.13).

For the Christian who is perhaps discouraged, he is realistic: 'Blessedness is promised to us at last, but in the meantime we are of all men most miserable - we hunger and suffer thirst' (p.33).

'The way to heaven is a dangerous journey, it lies through a howling wilderness' (p.228).

'It is not a sign of no grace to be troubled with indispositions, but it is a sign of no grace to rest in them' (p.140).

On worship and experiences

Contrary to some modern thinking, Manton taught that both non-Christian and Christian are bound by our duty to worship God, but he says: 'There are several differences between the children of God and others in the manner of worship; it must be done humbly, reverently and affectionately' (p.132). But 'no worship is acceptable to God, but that which is of his appointment' (p.118).

There is advice for those in danger of relying on experiences or natural abilities: 'It is dangerous to mistake everything for grace. I confess there is a great deal of vivacity of nature, it serves to set off vehement affections, which must not be mistaken for grace, and the agitations of the bodily spirits for impressions of the Holy Ghost' (p.141). On afflictions: 'Affliction is sent to prevent sin, but sin must not be committed to prevent affliction' (p. 621).

Creation and evolution

One subject he deals with extensively in Sermons 7 to 9 on verse 3, is that of Creation, and his teaching is most relevant for us today. The theistic evolutionist would do well to read these chapters but before doing so let him heed Manton's advice in Sermons 3 and 4 on reason: 'Reason is the great enemy of faith; and when it is sanctified it is the great servant of faith'; 'Nothing can be more irrational than to consult with nature about supernatural things'. We learn from Manton that evolutionary theories, chance, and long ages, etc., are not recent ideas, but very old ideas given a modern dressing and false scientific responsibility by Darwin.

Wealth for edification

Manton has a wonderful way of expressing spiritual truth. He writes: 'When God made the whole world, there wanted one to be a witness of the work, one to admire the greatness and goodness of it, therefore man is brought into the world for this purpose, when God's feast was prepared then man was invited to come and taste.'

Manton is full but never superfluous, exhaustive but never exhausting. He opens and expounds each text before applying it. He digs deep into the mine of God's Word and brings out much wealth for our edification. Obviously all his teaching is related to faith and how we exercise faith throughout our Christian pilgrimage. Almost every doctrine and pastoral problem is covered in some measure. For example, in opening up verse 6, he discusses the question of what happens to children dying in infancy.

Generally Manton is easy to understand, but there are a few difficult passages and he does use a few words that are now obsolete. However, perseverance in reading will bring great reward.

Brian Neads,
Woking