The Crook in the Lot

In this book, Thomas Boston (1676-1732) challenges us to consider God’s hand in the trials (the crook) appointed to us in our lot in life. Watson encourages us to maintain humility, patience, and faith that God will lift us up.

The Crook in the Lot is divided into three parts which were originally the contents of several sermons preached by Boston. Each part is an extended exposition of a different verse:

1.Faith in Suffering: “Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?” (Ecclesiastes 7:13)

2. Humility in Suffering: “Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:19, KJV)

3. The End of Suffering: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” (1 Peter 5:6)

This edition includes:

• Complete and carefully updated text.
• Modern English sentence structure.
• Modern English vocabulary.
• Updated organization and headings.
• English Standard Version (ESV) scripture references.
• Hundreds of scripture quotations in footnotes.
• Active table of contents.

Thomas Boston was born in Duns, Scotland in 1676. He was licensed to preach in 1697, and in 1699 he became the minister of the small parish of Simprin. After eight years, he accepted a call to a larger parish at Ettrick, where he served until his death in 1732. Boston was well-respected for his theological depth in both his preaching and writings. In addition to The Crook in the Lot, he is also known for his books Human Nature in Its Fourfold State and The Art of Man-Fishing. Boston experienced many trials in his life, including ministry struggles, the loss of five of his ten children, and health struggles for both himself and his wife. He trusted his lot to the Lord until the end. In his memoirs two years before his death, he thanked God for making him a Christian and minister of the Gospel.