Blueridge Believer
Puritan Board Professor
(Thomas Boston, "Human Nature in its Fourfold State")
Never did any sin appear in the life of the vilest wretch
who ever lived; but look into your own corrupt nature,
and there you may see the seed and root that sin—and
every other sin. There is atheism, idolatry, blasphemy,
murder, adultery, and whatever is vile—in your heart!
Possibly none of these are apparent to you; but there
is more in that unfathomable depth of wickedness than
you know.
Your corrupt heart is like an ant's nest, which, while
the stone lies on it, none of them appear. But take off
the stone, and stir them up but with a straw—and you
will see what a swarm is there—and how lively they are!
Just such a sight would your heart afford you—did the
Lord but withdraw the restraint He has upon it—and
allow Satan to stir it up by temptation!
Christian! the remembrance of what you are by
nature, should keep you humble.
Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Mar 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
Mar 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Never did any sin appear in the life of the vilest wretch
who ever lived; but look into your own corrupt nature,
and there you may see the seed and root that sin—and
every other sin. There is atheism, idolatry, blasphemy,
murder, adultery, and whatever is vile—in your heart!
Possibly none of these are apparent to you; but there
is more in that unfathomable depth of wickedness than
you know.
Your corrupt heart is like an ant's nest, which, while
the stone lies on it, none of them appear. But take off
the stone, and stir them up but with a straw—and you
will see what a swarm is there—and how lively they are!
Just such a sight would your heart afford you—did the
Lord but withdraw the restraint He has upon it—and
allow Satan to stir it up by temptation!
Christian! the remembrance of what you are by
nature, should keep you humble.
Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Mar 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
Mar 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
