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“I bless the Lord, who gave me counsel then and afterwards, to seek and value conversation with serious Christians, in the places where my lot was cast.”

Taste and see that the LORD is good

This third period of Thomas Boston’s life, from when he was eighteen to twenty-one years old, was one of significant spiritual growth. Books – worthwhile books – helped to grow him. His spirit was malleable in the hands of God, and yet often this growth came about through unpleasant experiences.

In some ways, we only know the taste of good food by comparing it to bitter food. So too, the goodness of God becomes more alive to us when we see the emptiness of life without Him. As the Psalm confesses: “I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.’” (Psalm 16:2)

In early 1696, Boston accepted a job to teach at a school in Edinburgh. Here, he was introduced to “Mr B−“ who managed the school. Yet, from the beginning Boston noticed that his behaviour was “grievous and loathsome,” and this left him feeling uneasy.

Boston lived in Mr B-‘s home, where he saw the emptiness and harshness of his, and his wife’s, lives – and it helped drive Boston closer to God. He cried out to the Lord to get him out of there, and the Lord did. After a month, he was able to leave in good conscience, albeit against Mr B-‘s wishes.

The sweetness of spiritual kin

Psalm 16 also says: “As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” (Psalm 16:3) It was on the back of this disappointment with Mr. B- that Boston saw the power and goodness of true Christian fellowship.

In particular, he met “an old, exercised, godly woman” named Janet Maclaunie. She left a lasting impression upon Boston, and supported him with a modest amount financially, as a sign of Christian love. This caused Boston to say: “I bless the Lord, who gave me counsel then and afterwards, to seek and value conversation with serious Christians, in the places where my lot was cast.”

Although they were decades apart in age, she was able to encourage the younger believer, and he never forgot her generosity. She had given him what he needed at that time – an elderly Christian woman of warm and generous faith. Probably, in the wisdom and providence of God, she never knew the impact that her small gift had upon him.

God truly has made the body, with Christ as the head, to work together so that it “builds itself up in love.” (Eph. 4:16) Whatever our circumstances may be, ask God to be like this godly woman was to Boston. Learn to esteem the local fellowship of believers, as it is Christ’s body. 

Do not throw your pearls before pigs

 Soon after this, Boston was employed as the governor for the nine-year-old grandson of Lady Mersington. The boy’s name was Andrew Fletcher. As it turned out, Boston spent little time with the boy – “my business with him was no burden” – and sadly he died only a few years later.

Whilst Boston was employed in this way, he took it upon himself to “seek the spiritual good of the family… and see to their manners”; that is, their behaviour. To this end, he “kept up family-worship, catechised the servants, pressed the careless to secret prayer, reproved and warned against sinful practices, and earnestly endeavoured the reformation of the vicious.” However, this did not have “the desired effect on some.” A few of the servants mocked him and caused him trouble. Mockers love a ringleader, and in this case there was one servant, “an ill-disposed and incorrigible woman” who was particularly belligerent. 

 Boston bore their mocking quietly, not resorting to quarrelling or arguments. He learnt discipline of tongue, and he later said that this became “a principle I have all along, in the course of my ministry, aimed to walk by.”In this way, he heeded the example of the Lord Jesus: “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Pet. 2:23)

Declare it boldly, as I ought

Boston was employed for over a year as the governor for the young boy. When it came time for him to leave, he was given one last opportunity to speak to the servants. He regarded it as his duty not to shrink from the opportunity, but to accept it. Therefore, he prayed earnestly for the right words to say, but he felt abandoned by God at this time of need, and at a loss as to what message to bring to the servants. This caused him much distress and crushed his confidence. He went outside to a field, where again he earnestly sought the Lord’s help and guidance. Then, with no time to spare, he was “helped of God” to speak to the servants in a clear way one final time.

Although Boston was not in chains like the Apostle Paul, he had nonetheless learned to pray like Paul: “that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Eph. 6:19-20)

The Lord’s Supper

            Christ Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, wherein believers spiritually share in the blood and body of Christ (1 Cor. 10:16). It is a sign and sealing of His benefits to believers, as well as a mark of the bond that ties all believers together in Christ. Rightly understood, it truly is a thankful celebration. However, one Saturday evening in 1696, Boston decided to miss the Lord’s Supper the next day at Culross. In God’s mercy, a servant rebuked him, and he realised that his reasons for missing the Supper were wrong.

Having been humbled, he went to “the table,” but struggled with his own unbelief. Yet God was gracious to him, and Boston “met with Him in such measure” that in future dark times, when he was tempted to think that God had abandoned him, the memory of that day at the Lord’s table in Culross helped him.

Our growth in Christ rarely follows a smooth path, and nearly two months later, Boston again went to the Supper, but wavered being unsure whether to partake or not. In the end, he did partake, but afterwards he “came away with that it had been better I had not gone.” His heart was heavy, but again, the Lord graciously strengthened him by showing him his need for Christ and giving him a longing for heaven.

The gift of the Lord’s Supper is for the “spiritual nourishment and growth” of those in Christ (WCF 29.1). It requires that we prepare by self-examination before partaking of the bread and wine, lest we eat and drink judgment upon ourselves (1 Cor. 11:28-29).

In the Supper, we declare the Lord’s death until He comes, and therefore it should only be taken by those who rightly trust in God. May the Lord in His kindness strengthen you the next time that you eat and drink. May His covenant promises, shown in the bread and wine, be precious to you.

– Graham Barnes