Our book review this month is A Practical Exposition on the Lord’s Prayer by Thomas Manton (1620-1677), Puritan pastor from Somerset, England, who served as a chaplain for Oliver Cromwell. It is part of The Works of Thomas Manton, Volume 1.
From the author:
This prayer was formed and indited by Christ, and therefore to be highly esteemed by Christians: Jesus Christ who was the wisdom of God, he knew both our necessities and the Father’s good will towards us; and therefore surely he would give us a perfect form and directory. We are not absolutely tied to this form. We do not read that it was ever used by the Apostles, though we have many of their prayers upon record in the Acts and the Epistles; yet they plainly differ as to the construction of the words; and this very prayer is diversely set down by the evangelists themselves. But, however, though we are not tied to this form, yet I think it may be humbly used; for Christ taught his disciples how to pray while as yet they were in their ignorance and tenderness, and had not received the Spirit, so did Christ teach his disciples to pray, not only as directing them what they should pray for, but putting a form of words in their mouths.
Thomas Manton, in about 200 pages, examines the six petitions of The Lord’s Prayer, focusing on the order, necessity, sense and meaning to be gleaned from what is, inarguably, the most popular prayer in Scripture.
This excerpt and review is taken from Volume I of a 3-part compilation and is now in Elim’s library. Also included in this volume are treatises on the Temptation of Christ, the Transfiguration, and Christ’s Redemption. As you read this Practical Exposition, you will find out for yourself why we should prefer God’s honor above all else. This fall, why not fall back about 400 years and challenge yourself to some classic Puritan scholarship.
Posted on October 15th, 2008 by Scott
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Church Library