Encouragement to Christian Duty (4)

Thomas Boston on how in the midst of hardship, “we might be weaned off this
world” and prompted “to look after the happiness of the other world.”

4. Discovery of Corruption

There are some corruptions in every man’s heart, that lie, as it were, so near the surface, that they are ready on every turn to rise up; but then there are othersalso which lie so very deep, that they are scarcely observed at all. But as the fire under the pot makes the scum rise up … so the crook in the lot [affliction] raises up from the bottom and brings out, such corruptions as one could hardly imagine to be within. Who would have suspected … so much bitterness of spirit in the patient Job, as to charge God with becoming cruel to him? (Job 30:21). So much ill-nature in the good Jeremiah, as to curse not only the day of his birth, but even the man who brought tidings to his father? (Jer 20:14, 15).

The discovery itself is necessary for the due humiliation of sinners, and to stain the pride of all glory, that men may know themselves.