The Whole Works of Thomas Boston, Vol. 7: An Explication of the Assembly’s Shorter Catechism

Top Highlights

“Wherefore, none that are out of Christ, reach the chief end of man: but they make themselves their chief end. Howbeit, believers do reach it: and they reach it, in so far as they shall, from the first moment of their believing, for ever enjoy and glorify God; imperfectly indeed here, but perfectly in heaven.” (Page 10)

“Now, the sinner can attain to the enjoyment of God, only through Jesus Christ:” (Page 10)

“Though they were not written in tables of stone until the time of Moses, yet were they written in the tables of man’s heart in the time of Adam: for we read that man was created in the image or likeness of God, Gen. 1:27. And the ten commandments are a doctrine agreeing with the eternal wisdom and justice that is in God; wherein he hath so painted out his own nature, that it does in a manner express the very image of God, Col. 3:10. And does not the apostle say, (Eph. 4:24.) that the image of God consists in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness?” (Pages 173–174)

“And, indeed, in that one commandment the whole worship of God did consist; as obedience, honour, love, confidence, and religious fear; together with the outward abstinence from sin, and reverend respect to the voice of God; yea, herein also consisted his love, and so his whole duty to his neighbour;i so that, as a learned writer says, Adam heard as much (of the law) in the garden, as Israel did at Sinai; but only in fewer words, and without thunder.” (Page 174)

“Yea, in the Scriptures there is mention made of divers laws, but they may all be comprised under these three, viz.—the law of works, the law of faith, and the law of Christ;a Rom. 3:27; Gal. 6:2; and therefore, I pray you, tell me, when you say the law ought to be a rule of life to a believer, which of these three laws you mean.” (Pages 166–167)