Thomas Boston Tribute

Proof 3. Consider the utter inconsistency of most men’s lives with the principles of religion which they profess—you may as soon bring east and west together, as their principles and practice. Men believe that fire will burn them; and therefore, they will not throw themselves into it. But the truth is, most men live as if they thought the gospel was a mere fable, and the wrath of God, revealed in his word against their unrighteousness and ungodliness, a mere scarecrow. If you believe the doctrines of the word, how is it that you are so unconcerned about the state of your souls before the Lord? how is it that you are so little concerned about this weighty point, whether you be born again or not? Most live as they were born–and are likely to die as they live–and yet live in peace. Do such people believe the sinfulness and misery of a natural state? Do they believe that they are children of wrath? Do they believe that there is no salvation without regeneration, and no regeneration but what makes a man a new creature?

If you believe the promises of the word, why do you not embrace them, and seek to enter into the promised rest? What sluggard would not dig for a hidden treasure, if he really believed that he might so obtain it? Men will work and toil for a maintenance, because they believe that by so doing they shall get it; yet they will be at no pains for the eternal weight of glory! Why? Because they do not believe the word of promise! Heb. 4:1, 2. If you believe the threatenings, how is it that you live in your sins; live out of Christ, and yet hope for heaven? Do such people believe God to be the holy and just One, who will by no means clear the guilty? No, no; none believe; none, or next to none, believe what a just God the Lord is, and how severely he punishes.

Man’s Fourfold State, The Whole Works Of The Late Thomas Boston Of Ettrick, Volume 8, pp. 53 & 54

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 “If you believe the doctrines of the word, how is it that you are so unconcerned about the state of your souls before the Lord?”

“If you believe the threatenings, how is it that you live in your sins; live out of Christ, and yet hope for heaven?”

While Thomas Boston asks these questions with the unregenerate hypocrite in mind, his query is just as important for the regenerate man. Maybe more so. I certainly do believe in assurance and the perseverence of the saints, but our confession makes it clear that there are those who vainly deceive themselves with false hope.

 I.  Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favor of God, and estate of salvation[1] (which hope of theirs shall perish):[2] yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may, in this life, be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace,[3] and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.

1.  Micah 3:11; Deut. 29:19; John 8:41
2.  Amos 9:10; Matt. 7:22-23
3.  I John 2:3; 3:14, 18-19, 21, 24; 5:13
4. Rom. 5:2, 5

The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XVIII Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

Therefore, to take heed of the admonition to self examination is certainly the greatest favor  we can do for our souls. Do you find yourself comfortable with a pet sin(s)? Yes? You are in danger and I would urge you to search your heart for the pleading and warning of the Holy Spirit lest you find yourself numbered among the hypocrites on the Day of the Lord. Don’t quench the Spirit. He calls to you.    

 Do you believe the doctrines of God’s Word? How is it then that you are so unconcerned about the state of your soul? Do you believe the threatenings? If you believe the threatenings, how is it that you are content to live in your sins? 

 2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

Take heed to the Apostle’s instruction. Self examination does not contradict assurance. It’s a God-ordained means of checks and balances in order that we might not fool ourselves through presumption and laziness. So, if you believe . . .

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder . . .  2 Peter 1:3-13