"The Crook in the Lot: The Sovereignty and Wisdom of God Displayed in the Afflictions of Men" is a classic work by Thomas Boston, a Scottish Presbyterian minister and theologian. Written in the 18th century, this book explores human suffering and the sovereignty of God. Boston uses the term "crook in the lot" as a metaphor for those unavoidable but providential trials and tribulations that each person experiences in life..
In this work, Boston explores how God, in His sovereignty and wisdom, ordains these difficult circumstances for various reasons, such as to refine a person's character, to teach trust in God, or to provide a context for displaying His grace and glory. Boston encourages readers to have a submissive and humble attitude towards these 'crooks', or challenges, in their life pilgrimage.
The book is rooted in the Reformed theological perspective, emphasizing the doctrines of God's sovereignty and providence. Boston draws EXTENSIVELY from Scripture to offer comfort and guidance to Christians facing afflictions. His approach is pastoral, seeking to help believers understand and embrace their trials as part of God's wise and loving plan for their lives.
Boston is appreciated for his depth of insight and practical wisdom. It's a valuable resource for those seeking a biblical and Reformed perspective on suffering and the purposes of God in the midst of difficult circumstances.
The Crook in the Lot
The Sovereignty and Wisdom of God Displayed in the Afflictions of Men
by Thomas Boston
Table of Contents
Introductory Remarks
PROPOSITION I. Whatsoever Crook there is in one's Lot, it is of God's making.
I. As to the Crook itself.
II. The Crook is of God's making. How it is of his making. Why he makes it.
PROPOSITION II: What God sees meet to mar, we shall not be able to mend in our Lot. What Crook God makes in our Lot, we shall not be able to even.
I. God's marring and making a Crook in one's Lot, as he sees meet.
II. Men's attempting to mend or even the Crook in their Lot.
III. In what sense it is to be understood, that we shall not be able to mend, or even the Crook in our Lot.
IV. Some reasons of the point. Directions for rightly managing the application for removing the Crook in our Lot.
PROPOSITION III: Considering the Crook in the Lot, as the work of God, is a proper means to bring one to behave rightly un der it.
I. What it is to consider the Crook as the work of God.
II. How it is to be understood to be a proper means to bring one to behave rightly under the Crook.
III. That it is a proper means to bring one to behave rightly under it.
A comparison between the Lowly and Proud.
DocT. — There is a generation of lowly, afflicted ones, having their spirit lowered and brought down to their lot ; whose case, in that respect, is better than that of the proud getting their will, and carrying all to their mind.
I. The generation of the lowly afflicted ones.
II. The generation of the proud getting their will and carrying all to their mind.
III. It is better to be in a low afflicted condition, with the spirit humble and brought down to the lot, than to be of a proud and high spirit, getting the lot brought up to it, and matters go according to one's mind. Humility the great means to bring all to their respective duties.
Doctrine. I. The bent of one's heart, in humbling circumstances, should be towards a suitable humbling of the spirit, as under God's mighty hand placing us in them.
II. What are those humbling circumstances the mighty hand of God brings men into.
III. What it is in humbling circumstances, to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.
Directions for reaching humiliation.
Doctrine. II. In due time, those that humble themselves under the mighty hand of God will certainly be lifted up.