'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 18

O how little do we aim at the glory of God and regard it in our prayers! We should seek it not only above the profits and pleasures of this life, but even above life itself. But alas, since the fall, we are corrupt and wholly poisoned with self-love, that we prefer every base interest and trifle before God. Some are more affected with their own honour, and their own loss and reproach, than with God's dishonour or God's glory. If their own reputation is hazarded a little, O, how it stings them to the heart. But if someone is faulty towards God, they can pass it over without trouble. A word of disgrace, a little contempt cast upon our persons fills us with rage; but we can hear God's name dishonoured, and not be moved about it. When they pray for outward blessings, it is for their lusts, and not for God. It is but to feed their pomp and excess. If they beg quickening and enlargement, it is for their own honour, that their lusts may be fed by the contributions of heaven; so, by a wicked design, they would even make God to serve the devil. The best of us, when we come to pray, what a deep sense we have of our own needs, and no desire of the glory of God. How necessary it is that the Lord should have his glory. The world serves no other purpose; it was made and continues for God's glory (Rom. 11:36). God did not make us for ourselves, but for his own glory. O that poor worms should come and put the crown upon God's head! How forward have we been to dishonour God in thought, word, and deed, before the Lord wrought upon us! Now that the Lord has put grace in our hearts, we are a people created for his glory—‘Everyone who is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory' (Isa. 43:7).

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Thomas Manton, Works, I:71-72
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