Manton on “desiring God” (long before John Piper)

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Careful reading of the following quotation will yield much reward. Here, puritan Thomas Manton reminds us that God is content and happy in Himself, and the one who comes to know God (and love what He loves) will share in this great happiness. Manton, and all the puritans really, were “Christian hedonists” long before John Piper smartly coined the phrase. Manton also takes a poke at those who think (wrongly) that the way of holiness is an unhappy path (far from the truth!) — so if that’s you, read this twice and reconsider!
— pdb

Manton

“God loves Himself, and acts for Himself, and pursueth His own glory. Now when the word of God breaks in upon the heart, we pursue the same design with God. Men are prejudiced against a course of holiness; it seems to look upon them with a sour and austere face. Surely God loves a pleasant life; whoever is miserable, He hath a full contentment. Doth He that made all thinks want [lack] true joy and contentment? Who should have happiness if God hath not? Now when we learn God’s statutes, we come to be conformed to the nature of God; we love what He loves, and hate what He hates, and then we begin to live the life of God. The happiness of God lieth in loving Himself, enjoying Himself, and acting for His own glory; and this is the fruit of grace, to teach us to live as God lives, to do as God doth; to love Him and enjoy Him as our chiefest good; and to glorify Him as our utmost end.”
— Sermon on Psalm 119:12 (I:99; emphasis added).

Simple thoughts on a spectacular thing

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4896_103270385068_637930068_2531260_4855171_sMarriage is a spectacular thing! Having just marked my 25th Wedding Anniversary only reinforces this! And it spectacular far beyond my abilities to describe in writing (especially in a short blog post! But I do have a couple simple thoughts, that might encourage or edify others…

GOSPEL MYSTERY. When our Pastor, Dr Dick Sisson preached from Ephesians 5 at our wedding, he began by stating his wonder: how can a boy from Wisconsin win the heart of a girl from Boston? How do those “so different”(!) come together to enjoy the covenant relationship of marriage?? This mystery is a picture for us of the gospel itself — a picture of how men come to be in a relationship with God through Christ Jesus! In Ephesians 5 we read this (emphasis added)…

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her….
31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

Profound indeed! But by the common grace of God men and women do get married — and, by saving grace, men and women can be redeemed by Christ and enter into a covenant relationship with God! I am so thankful for BOTH graces at work in me and in my marriage.

pdb at Castle Hill Lighthouse, Newport, RI

pdb at Castle Hill Lighthouse, Newport, RI

STRENGTH TO CLEAVE. 25 years is a long time. Where does one find the inner strength to maintain a marriage? When I stood with my bride on our wedding day, and repeated my vows to her before God, I added a verse of Scripture (Psalm 73:26, my life’s verse) that has since proven true time and time again:

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

My strength to be a husband comes from God. He is faithful to those who call upon Him, trust Him and serve Him.

I thank God for all that I have learned while being married to Laurel — about the joys of marriage, the real nature of love, and, the significance of grace. God is very good.

yours (and Laurel’s) by divine mercy,
pdb