DOUBT: Thomas Boston
Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. - Phil 3:8
Study the word of truth, which is God's testimony to the truth. "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no truth in them."
The word of God is the only foundation of faith. You may take up things upon your own fancy, or the testimony of others, and then hold fast what you have so received. But that is not faith which is not founded on divine testimony. Hence many cannot be said to be doubtless, as to the foundation points of religion, because their belief of them is not founded on the testimony of the word of God having weight with their consciences, hence their belief of them is as a house built on sand.
Give up yourself to the teaching of the spirit of truth. Lay your souls down before the Lord, to be taught by his Spirit. "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God." When Peter said to Jesus, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," Jesus said unto him, "Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
The Spirit of God teaches men experimentally, making them not only to see, but to feel the truth and its power upon their own hearts. He brings them "to obey from the heart that form of doctrine which is delivered unto them." Their souls are cast into the mould of it. And for this cause, there is need of much humility and self-denial, and a readiness to hear what the Lord will say. "The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way."
Walk in the truth. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." There is a certain harmony betwixt the truths of God, and a tendency in them to holiness of life; so as close walking with God inspires a man with a certain relish, by which he is enabled to discern betwixt truth and error; having his spiritual senses exercised, he judgeth of them, as the mouth tastes meat.
It is promised. "He that hath my commandments," saith Jesus, "and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." It is commanded. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." Again, "Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith; having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Not only scripture saints, as David, Hezekiah, Thomas, Peter, Paul, but even many others of lower size have attained it.
Doubts are injurious to God, and spoil him of his praise. They are injurious to the saints themselves, spoiling them of their comfort, strength, and confidence, which they might otherwise have, 2 Peter 1:10. A doubting Christian is always a weak Christian... There is so little doubt of our being put to the trial, that we should now be labouring to be doubtless about it. For a doubting Christian is very unfit to act for Christ in a difficult time, and more unfit to suffer for Christ.
Thomas Boston. Excerpt from: I Count All Things But Loss. Monergism Books.
Study the word of truth, which is God's testimony to the truth. "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no truth in them."
The word of God is the only foundation of faith. You may take up things upon your own fancy, or the testimony of others, and then hold fast what you have so received. But that is not faith which is not founded on divine testimony. Hence many cannot be said to be doubtless, as to the foundation points of religion, because their belief of them is not founded on the testimony of the word of God having weight with their consciences, hence their belief of them is as a house built on sand.
Give up yourself to the teaching of the spirit of truth. Lay your souls down before the Lord, to be taught by his Spirit. "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God." When Peter said to Jesus, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," Jesus said unto him, "Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
The Spirit of God teaches men experimentally, making them not only to see, but to feel the truth and its power upon their own hearts. He brings them "to obey from the heart that form of doctrine which is delivered unto them." Their souls are cast into the mould of it. And for this cause, there is need of much humility and self-denial, and a readiness to hear what the Lord will say. "The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way."
Walk in the truth. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." There is a certain harmony betwixt the truths of God, and a tendency in them to holiness of life; so as close walking with God inspires a man with a certain relish, by which he is enabled to discern betwixt truth and error; having his spiritual senses exercised, he judgeth of them, as the mouth tastes meat.
It is promised. "He that hath my commandments," saith Jesus, "and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." It is commanded. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." Again, "Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith; having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Not only scripture saints, as David, Hezekiah, Thomas, Peter, Paul, but even many others of lower size have attained it.
Doubts are injurious to God, and spoil him of his praise. They are injurious to the saints themselves, spoiling them of their comfort, strength, and confidence, which they might otherwise have, 2 Peter 1:10. A doubting Christian is always a weak Christian... There is so little doubt of our being put to the trial, that we should now be labouring to be doubtless about it. For a doubting Christian is very unfit to act for Christ in a difficult time, and more unfit to suffer for Christ.
Thomas Boston. Excerpt from: I Count All Things But Loss. Monergism Books.
