MANTON, THOMAS, D. D., an eminent puri tan divine, born A.D. 162o, at Lawrence-Lydiard, in Somersetshire. He was entered at \Vadham College, Oxford, at the early age of fifteen, and be fore the completion of his twentieth year was or dained by Joseph Hall, then Bishop of Exeter. After labouring a short time at Co]yton, in Devon shire, he removed to London, and in 1643 was presented to the living of Stoke-Newington. In 165o he was presented to the rectory of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, by the Earl (afterwards Duke) of Bedford, and here he remained until ejected by the Act of Uniformity. He was created B. D. at Oxford aoth April 1654, and D.D. Loth November 166o (Wood, Athen. Oxon., f. 107, 137). Asa preacher he was most highly esteemed by his contemporaries, and as a practical expositor of Scripture was pro bably surpassed by none. He took a leading part in the religious movements of his times, and was distinguished for his moderation and soundness of judgment. Like Baxter, he clung to the last to
the hope that a scheme of comprehension might be carried ; and be yielded so far as to receive Episcopal institution from Sheldon. The passing of the Act of Uniformity forced him into the ranks of the Nonconformists, and with many others he suffered imprisonment for conscience' sake. He died r8th October 1677, and was buried in the chancel of the church at Stoke-Newington. His Scriptural expositions, which all partake more or less of the character of expository discourses, are the following : I. A Practical Comnzentary, or an Exposition, with Notes, on the Epistle of Yames, Lond. 1651, 4to. 2. A Practical Commentary on yude, Loud. 1652, 4to. 3. A Practical Exposition of the 119th Psalm, Lond. 1681, fol. 4. A Practical Exoosi tion of the Lord's Prayer, Lond. 1684, 8vo. 5. A Practical Exposition of the 53d chapter of Isaiah, Land. 17o3.—S. N.