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The Ant's Nest
Thomas Boston
Thomas Boston (1676–1732). Born on March 17, 1676, in Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland, to John and Alison Trotter Boston, Thomas Boston was a Scottish Presbyterian minister, theologian, and author, pivotal in the Marrow Controversy. The youngest of seven, he was raised in a devout but non-Covenanting family, converted at 11 after hearing Henry Erskine preach, and educated at Edinburgh University (MA, 1694). Licensed in 1697, he briefly served as a schoolmaster before ordination in 1699, pastoring Simprin (1699–1707) and Ettrick (1707–1732), where his expository sermons transformed parishes despite initial resistance. A self-taught Hebrew scholar, Boston’s discovery of The Marrow of Modern Divinity in 1717 shaped his emphasis on free grace, leading to his defense of the book during the 1718–1722 Marrow Controversy, advocating justification by faith alone. His works, including Human Nature in Its Fourfold State (1720), The Crook in the Lot (1737), and A View of the Covenant of Grace (1734), became evangelical classics, with sermons collected in 12 volumes. Married to Catherine Brown in 1700, he had 10 children, only four surviving to adulthood, and faced personal trials, including his wife’s mental illness. Boston died on May 20, 1732, in Ettrick, saying, “The Word of God is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.”
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This sermon delves into the deep-rooted nature of sin within every individual, highlighting how even the most seemingly virtuous person harbors sinful tendencies within their hearts. It emphasizes the presence of atheism, idolatry, blasphemy, murder, adultery, and other vices within the human heart, often hidden from one's own awareness. The analogy of an ant's nest is used to illustrate how sin lies dormant until provoked, revealing the swarm of wickedness within. The message warns of the inherent evil that can manifest when external restraints are removed, urging Christians to remain humble in the awareness of their sinful nature.
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The Ant's Nest by Thomas Boston 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. For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. Mark 7 verses 21 and 22 Christian, the remembrance of what you are by nature should keep you humble. No donations accepted. Thank you.
The Ant's Nest
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Thomas Boston (1676–1732). Born on March 17, 1676, in Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland, to John and Alison Trotter Boston, Thomas Boston was a Scottish Presbyterian minister, theologian, and author, pivotal in the Marrow Controversy. The youngest of seven, he was raised in a devout but non-Covenanting family, converted at 11 after hearing Henry Erskine preach, and educated at Edinburgh University (MA, 1694). Licensed in 1697, he briefly served as a schoolmaster before ordination in 1699, pastoring Simprin (1699–1707) and Ettrick (1707–1732), where his expository sermons transformed parishes despite initial resistance. A self-taught Hebrew scholar, Boston’s discovery of The Marrow of Modern Divinity in 1717 shaped his emphasis on free grace, leading to his defense of the book during the 1718–1722 Marrow Controversy, advocating justification by faith alone. His works, including Human Nature in Its Fourfold State (1720), The Crook in the Lot (1737), and A View of the Covenant of Grace (1734), became evangelical classics, with sermons collected in 12 volumes. Married to Catherine Brown in 1700, he had 10 children, only four surviving to adulthood, and faced personal trials, including his wife’s mental illness. Boston died on May 20, 1732, in Ettrick, saying, “The Word of God is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.”