Sir,
I thank you for the favour you did me in affording me a sight of your papers; I
had heard much of your notions concerning afflictions, and therefore was very
thirsty till you were pleased to give me to drink of the fountain: I can now
say as that queen, 'The half was not told me,' 1 Kings x. 7. fame came much
short of taste: we are perfect in no lessons so much as those into which God
whippeth us; and 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, savoureth more of the orator than the
preacher, the brain than the heart: certainly guess and imagination cannot so
well introduce such conceptions as sense and feeling.
It seemeth 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
prejudice the freedom of his operations. He is a close prisoner indeed that is
shut up not only from the society of men, but converse with the Holy Ghost. 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,'
saith 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,' &c. 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
religious privacy. We that are abroad are harassed and worn out with constant
public labours, 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 answereth heart, I can easily foresee much success, and that you
will not repent of the publication. The Lord bless your endeavours in the
gospel of his dear Son.
I am, sir,
Yours in all christian observance,
THOMAS MANTON.
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Letter added 10 December 2001