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HAIL & FIRE - a resource for Reformed and Gospel Theology in the works, exhortations, prayers, and apologetics of those who have maintained the Gospel and expounded upon the Scripture as the Eternal Word of God and the sole authority in Christian doctrine.
"These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."
Acts 17:11
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JOHN NEWTON QUOTES
ON SOFTENING AND WATERING DOWN THE GOSPEL:
"The Bible is the grand repository ... It is the complete system of divine truth, to which nothing can be added, and from which nothing can be taken, with impunity. Every attempt to disguise or soften any branch of this truth, in order to accommodate it to the prevailing taste around us, either to avoid the displeasure, or to court the favour, of our fellow mortals, must be an affront to the majesty of God, and an act of treachery to men."
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"To pretend to preach the truth without offending carnal men, is to pretend to be able to do what Jesus Christ could not do."
Thomas Wilson
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HOME » Words of Wisdom » Reformed and Puritan Quotes » Thomas Boston Quotes
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new quotes added: May 19, 2011
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A Soliloquy on
the Art of Fishing for Men
For a pattern to every preacher of the Gospel
by
Thomas Boston
Originally Published in 1699
1900 Edition
2009 Hail & Fire REPRINT
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"Beware of preaching smoothly upon the account of getting a call from any parish. ... Do not put thee upon men-pleasing. No, no; that must not be thy business. Remember, God provides for thee even now liberally, as he sees fit. Thou dost not want even so much of the world as is very necessary; and he that has provided for thee hitherto, yea, took thee, and kept thee from the womb, will not forsake thee as long as thou dost not forsake him, but remaineth faithful. Remember, God hath set the bounds of they habitation, and determined the time. Though men and devils should oppose it, they shall not be able to hinder it. It is God himself that sets the solitary in families; and why shouldst thou go out of God's way to procure such as thing to thyself, or to antedate the time which is appointed of God; Go on in faithfulness, fear not. ...
And what though thou shouldst never be settled in any charge at all? Christ and his apostles were itinerants. If the Lord see it fit, why shouldst thou be against it? If the Lord have something to do with thee in diverse corners of his vineyard, calling thee sometimes to one place, sometimes to another, thou art not to quarrel that. Perhaps thou mayest do more good that way than otherwise." - Thomas Boston
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Thomas Boston Quotes
THOMAS BOSTON (1676-1732), Thomas Boston was a Christian Preacher and Minister in the Church of Scotland.
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Quote on the Unmerited Honour of Being Made a Fisher of Souls and a Preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
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"What an honourable thing is it to be fishers of men! How great an honour shouldst thou esteem it, to be a catcher of souls! We are workers together with God, says the apostle. If God has ever so honoured thee, O that thou knewest it, that thou mightst bless his holy name, that ever made such a poor fool as thee to be a co-worker with him. God has owned thee to do good to those who were before caught. O my soul, bless thou the Lord. Lord, what am I, or what is my father's house, that thou hast brought me to this?" - Thomas Boston
READ ONLINE: A Soliloquy on the Art of Fishing for Men, for a pattern to every preacher of the Gospel by Thomas Boston
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Quote on God Will Provide; Be Not Anxious; 'Set your mind on things above':
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"Be not anxious about thy provision for old age, for by all appearance thou wilt never see it. It is more than probable thou wilt be sooner at thy journey's end. The body is weak; it is even stepping down to salute corruption as its mother, ere it has well entered the hall of the world: thy tabernacle pins seem to be drawing out by little and little already. Courage then, O my soul; ere long the devil, and the world, and the flesh shall be bruised underthy feet; and thou shalt be received into eternal mansions. But though the Lord should lengthen out thy days to old age, he that brought thee into life will not forsake thee then either. If he give thee life, he will give thee meat. Keep a loose hold of the world then; contemn it if thou wouldst be a fisher of men.." - Thomas Boston
READ ONLINE: A Soliloquy on the Art of Fishing for Men, for a pattern to every preacher of the Gospel by Thomas Boston
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Quote on Being Edifying in all Your Converse, in Private as well as in Church:
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"Christ was useful to souls in his private converse, taking occasion to instruct, rebuke, etc., from such things as offered. Thus he
dealt with this woman of Samaria; he took occasion from the water she was drawing, to tell her of the living water, etc. Thus being at a feast, he rebuked the Pharisees that chose the uppermost seats, and instructed them in the right way of behaviour at feasts. O my soul, follow Christ in this. Be edifying in thy private converse. When thou art at any time in company, let something that smells of Heaven drop from thy lips." - Thomas Boston
READ ONLINE: A Soliloquy on the Art of Fishing for Men, for a pattern to every preacher of the Gospel by Thomas Boston
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Quote on Prayer for Stengthening:
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"I have had more experience of his goodness and knowledge of his name; and therefore think I can cast my burden on the Lord better than before. But it is easy swimming when the head is held up. Lord, increase my faith. I believe, Lord, help mine unbelief." - Thomas Boston
READ ONLINE: A Soliloquy on the Art of Fishing for Men, for a pattern to every preacher of the Gospel by Thomas Boston
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Quote on By the Foolishness of Preaching:
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"Who is sufficient for these things? No man is of himself sufficient; even the greatest of men come short of sufficiency. This may make thee then to be affected with insufficiency, who are so far below these men as shrubs are below the tall cedars; and yet they cannot teach it of themselves. Consider the weight of the work, even of preaching, which is all that thou hast to do now. It is the concern of souls. By the foolishness of preaching it pleases the Lord to save them that believe" - Thomas Boston
READ ONLINE: A Soliloquy on the Art of Fishing for Men, for a pattern to every preacher of the Gospel by Thomas Boston
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Quote on Seeking Vainglory rather than the Edification of and Salvation of Souls:
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"Remember, O my soul, what Christ said to the Pharisees, Luke 16:15, 'Ye are they which justify yourselves before men, but God knoweth your hearts. For that which is highly esteemed among men, is an abomination in the sight of God.' Let this scare thee from seeking thyself. Consider, that seeking thy own glory is a dreadful and abominable thing. In that it is base treachery and cruelty to the souls of hearers, when a man seeks to please their fancy more than to gain their souls, to get people to approve him more than to get them to approve themselves to God. This is a soul-murdering way, and it is dear-bought applause that is won by the blood of souls. O my soul, beware of this. Let them call thee what they will; but seek thou God's glory and their good." - Thomas Boston
READ ONLINE: A Soliloquy on the Art of Fishing for Men, for a pattern to every preacher of the Gospel by Thomas Boston
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Quote on Hardness of Heart in Hearers:
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"O what hardness of heart mayst thou see in every corner whither thou goest, and where thou preachest, most part being as unconcerned as the very stones of the wall; and say what thou wilt, either by setting before them alluring promises or dreadful threatenings, yet people are hardened against both, none relenting for what they have done, or concerned about it." - Thomas Boston
READ ONLINE: A Soliloquy on the Art of Fishing for Men, for a pattern to every preacher of the Gospel by Thomas Boston
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Quote on Sowing the Word with Tears:
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"If a man had a servant that would go out and sow his seed very diligently and faithfully; but would come in, and sit down idle when it is sown, and forget to harrow it, and hide it with the earth; would the master be well pleased with him? yea, would he not be highly displeased, because the fowls would come and pick it up? So, O my soul, if thou shouldst be never so much concerned to get good seed, and never so faithful and diligent in sowing it; yet if after thou turn careless, and take not the way to
cover it, by serious seeking to the Lord, that he may keep it in the hearts of people, and make it to prosper, the devil may pick it all up; and where is thy labour then; and how will the Lord be pleased with thee! Therefore pray more frequently, cry more fervently to God, when the public work is over, than thou hast done." - Thomas Boston
READ ONLINE: A Soliloquy on the Art of Fishing for Men, for a pattern to every preacher of the Gospel by Thomas Boston
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