00a Author's Preface

Author’s Preface

Reader,
You have here in the following pages some prison thoughts, I wish I could say, experiences. If I have not written herein what I have found, I bless God—I have written what I have sought. I must humbly confess with holy Paul, "I count not myself to have apprehended"; yet through grace I can add with that blessed saint, "but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press towards the mark" (Php 3:13-14).

God has taught me somewhat of the doctrine, I trust that he would be pleased to teach me the use of the doctrine. God has in some measure shown me what is to be gained by afflictions; if he would also teach me how to gain it, I would, with Moses, account my sufferings greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. The discovery is sweet. If my heart deceives me not, I would not exchange it for the wealth of both the Indies! The possession is infinitely precious. For your advantage I have been persuaded to print this little booklet. My prayers shall accompany my paper—that the God who quickens the dead, and calls things that are not, as though they were—would please to make those broken expressions answer the aim. And for the aim’s sake, despise them not, but pray also; and when you pray, remember the chief of sinners, the poor and unworthy author, who, while yet in the land of the living, will be,
Yours to serve you in the gospel of Christ,
Thomas Case Dr. Manton’s Recommendation To my reverend friend Mr. Thomas Case,
I thank you for the favor you did me in affording me a sight of your paper. I had heard much of your notions concerning afflictions, and therefore was very thirsty until you were pleased to give me to drink of the fountain. I can now say as the queen of Sheba, "The half was not told me!" We are perfect in no lessons, so much as those into which God whips us. We cannot speak of any argument so warmly and feelingly, as when we speak out of present experience. To treat of afflictions, when we ourselves flourish and abound in ease and plenty—savors more of the orator, than the preacher; more of the brain, than the heart. Certainly guess and imagination cannot be so good a midwife to such conceptions, as sense and feeling.

It seems when you went into prison, the Spirit of God went into prison with you; and when you were shut up to others, you still lay open to the visits and free breathings of his grace. The restraints and enclosures of a prison cannot harm the freedom of God’s operations. He is a blessed prisoner indeed, who is shut up not only from the society of men, but in converse with the Holy Spirit. I begin to see there is somewhat more than a strain and reach of wit in Tertullian’s consolatory discourse to the martyrs: "You went out of prison," says he, "when you went into it, and were but sequestered from the world, that you might converse with God. The greatest prisoners and the most guilty are those that are at large, darkened with ignorance, chained with lusts, committed not by the proconsul, but God." The Lord often manifested himself to his prophets in a wilderness, and to you in your secession and retirement.

Sir, I could even envy your prison-comforts, and the sweet opportunities of a pious privacy. We that are abroad are harassed and worn out with constant public labors, and can seldom retire from the distraction of business for such free converse with God and our own souls. But we are not to choose our own portion—crosses will come soon enough without wishing for them; and if we were wise, we might make an advantage of every condition.

Good Sir, be persuaded to publish those discourses; the subject is useful, and your manner of handling it warm and affectionate; do not deprive the world of the comfort of your experiences. Certainly my heart is none of the tenderest; yet if heart answers heart, I can easily foresee much success, and that you will not repent of the publication. May the Lord bless your endeavors in the gospel of his dear Son.
I am, Sir, Yours in all Christian service,
Thomas Manton