THE WORKS OF THOS. MANTON, Vols I-III. Banner of Truth Trust, £11.95 per volume. £32.95 the set of three volumes.
The writings of Thomas Manton, one of the Puritans, are well known and are voluminous, extending the 22 volumes. Already the Trust have published Manton’s expositions of James and Jude, and a three-volume edition of his exposition of Psalm 119.
Volume I, which has been sent for review, contains a Memoir of Manton, an exposition of the Lord’s Prayer, seven sermons on Christ’s Temptation, seven sermons on Christ’s Transfiguration and eight sermons on Christ’s Redemption and Eternal Existence. Volume II contains sermons on various texts and Volume III sermons on 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and an exposition of Isaiah chapter 53.
The Memoir gives an indication of the esteem in which Manton was held, even in his own day. Dr Bates, who preached his funeral sermon, said: “His name is worthy of precious and eternal memory. . . . In preaching the word he was of conspicuous eminence. . . . He was endowed with an extraordinary knowledge of the scripture. . . . His discourses were so clear and convincing that none, without offering violence to conscience, could resist their evidence. . . . His doctrine was uncorrupt and pure; the truth according to godliness.” Dr Bates had also to say: “Consider him as a Christian, his life was answerable to his doctrine.”
These are high expressions of the worth of Thomas Manton, as a man and as a preacher. We, therefore, warmly recommend Manton’s writings as containing rich matter suitable for the awakening of sinners and the edification of believers. D.B.M.
Ministers and Men of the Free Presbyterian Church by Rev Neil Cameron, 200pp, £7.95 (excluding postage). Available from Mr Roy Middleton, 4 Rhodes Close, Haslington, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 1ZF.
This well-produced paperback contains accounts of some of the earlier ministers and men of the Free Presbyterian Church. They appeared first as obituaries in the Free Presbyterian Magazine and were all from the pen of Rev Neil Cameron who was well acquainted with the godly of that period. These are choice obituaries of some of the godly and gracious men who formed the Free Presbyterian Church after the Separation of 1893. This book brings the accounts of the lives of these men to the notice of those who would not have access to the earlier volume of the Magazine. We have no doubt that a similar volume of the ministers and men of the Free Presbyterian Church could also be gleaned from obituaries written by other pens. As a companion volume to the present one, it would be welcomed, and would no doubt be edifying for readers, as is the present volume.
The book also contains a 40-page historical introduction by the Editor, Mr Roy Middleton of the Barnoldswick Congregation. This introduction supplements in some respects what is to be found in the Memoir of Rev Neil Cameron. D.B.M.