Thomas Boston Tribute

2ndly, The natural man is an enemy to Christ in his PRIESTLY office. He is appointed of the Father a priest forever; that, only by his sacrifice and intercession, sinners may have peace with, and access to God. But Christ crucified is a stumbling-block, and foolishness to the unrenewed part of mankind, to whom he is preached, 1 Cor. 1:23. They are not for him as the “new and living way;” nor is he, by the voice of the world, “a High-priest over the house of God.” Corrupt nature goes quite another way to work.

Proof 1. None of Adam’s children are naturally inclined to receive the blessing in borrowed robes; but would always, according to the spider’s motto, “owe all to themselves:” and so climb up to heaven on a thread spun for themselves. For they “desire to be under the law,” Gal. 4:21, and “go about to establish their own righteousness,” Romans 10:3. Man naturally looks on God as a great master; and himself as his servant, who must work and win heaven as his wages. Hence, when conscience is awakened, he thinks that, to the end he may be saved, he must answer the demands of the law, serve God as well as he can, and pray for mercy wherein he comes short. And thus many come to duties, who never come out of them to Jesus Christ.

Man’s Fourfold State, The Whole Works Of The Late Thomas Boston Of Ettrick, Volume 8, p. 69

“None of Adam’s children are naturally inclined to receive the blessing in borrowed robes; but would always, according to the spider’s motto, “owe all to themselves:” and so climb up to heaven on a thread spun for themselves.”

“But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”  Matthew 22:11-14 ESV

What a striking picture of the natural man’s aversion to the grace of God. The unregenerate man does not like borrowed robes. He would rather weave his own coat of many colors as a proud display of his own righteousness. Instead of climbing Jacob’s ladder, the sons of Adam would rather play the part of a busy spider spinning their own life line to God.

The proud heart stands between the natural man and Christ. Even the regenerate man, at times, struggles against the temptation to ‘meet God half-way’. After all, God helps those who help themselves . . . right?

I was once told that this free grace of which you speak is just a little too easy. Christ’s life and death fulfilled all of the requirements of God’s law on my behalf? There has to be a catch. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that person was on to something. There is a catch. This is it . . . nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling.    

Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
[originally When my eye-strings break in death]
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Cyber Hymnal