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Mondays with Manton (3)

Posted on 28. Sep, 2009 by Danny Hyde in Thomas Manton

This week we want to continue through Thomas Manton’s (1620–1677) “Christ’s Temptation and Transfiguration Practically Explained and Improved in Several Sermons” (Works 1, 258–336; available through Reformation Heritage Books). Sermon 3 treats Matthew 4:5–6.

This is a particularly insightful and practical sermon on the role of Satan and angels in Christ’s temptations and ours.

In dealing with Satan’s use of Psalm 91:11–12, Manton described “the devil’s cunning in citing Scripture” (Works 1, 278). Just as Satan disguises himself as an angel of light and just as he “took the habit [clothing] and guise of a prophet,” in this account he “cometh like a divine [theologian], with a Bible in his hand, and turneth to the place; here the enemy of God cometh with the word of God, and disguiseth the worst of actions with the best of words, opposeth God to God, and turneth his truth to countenance it” (Works 1, 278). Manton applied this with a general principle: “Christians, you have not to do with a foolish devil, who will appear in his own colours and ugly shape but with a devout devil, who, for his own turn, can pretend to be godly” (Works 1, 278).

In the second half of the sermon Manton offered several observations. The first was that although Christ rejected Satan’s first temptation he continued “like a troublesome fly that is often beaten off” since “Satan is incessant in his attempts against the saints, and is ready to assault afresh upon every occasion” (Works 1, 280). Because of this Christian must incessantly watch for him.

The third observation is an allegorical one. Since Satan took Christ up to the pinnacle of the temple and tempted him to cast himself down, Manton observed: “If Satan lead us up, it is to throw us down” (Works 1, 282). This observation has spoken most to me as I pray I do not allow my head to be lifted up so high in pride by Satan that I come crashing down to the destruction of myself and everyone around me.

Observation six is the longest and deals in two parts with the ministry of angels. Manton speaks of them not as ministers of conversion and sanctification but of preservation (Works 1, 284). He then digresses into the age-old question of whether each believer has a guardian angel. Manton’s answer? “It is enough for us to believe that all the angels are our guardians” (Works 1, 285). He went on to say that their ministry was not cura animarum, the care of souls, but ministerium externi auxilii, the service of outward help, which he further describes as custodia corporis, custodians/guardians of the body (Works 1, 285). Why did the Lord choose to work through angels? For four reasons: 1. to manifest the great love and care which God hath over his people, 2. we understand the operation of finite agents better tan infinite, 3. to counterwork the devil, and 4. to begin our acquaintance, which in heaven shall be perfected (Works 1, 285).

What use is this ministry of the angels towards us in our temptations? This shows us our happy state as God’s people, since “no heirs fo a crown have such guards as they have” (Works 1, 285). This breeds confidence and comfort in difficulities when all visible help seems at an end (Works 1, 286). This should cause us to live holily because they are among us (Works 1, 286).

Tags: Manton, perseverance, Satan, temptation