The Old Way to Discernment

There is an old way to discern the true meaning of what is being taught as one reads the Scriptures. The following treatise from the pen of Thomas Boston (1676 - 1732) should be heeded as applicable, yet the principles contained herein are too often overlooked often to the detriment of many.  

 The Manner of Discovering the True Sense of Holy Scripture.

1 The sense of the scripture is but one, and not many. There may be several parts of that one sense subordinate one to another; as some prophecies have a respect to the deliverance from Babylon, the spiritual by Christ, and the eternal in heaven; and some passages have one thing that is typical of another: yet these are but one full sense, only that may be of two sorts; one is simple, and another compound.

Some scriptures have only a simple sense, containing a declaration of one thing only; and that is either proper or figurative. A proper sense is that which arises from the words taken properly, and the figurative from the words taken figuratively. Some have a simple proper sense, as, 'God is a Spirit,' 'God created the heavens and the earth;' which are to be understood according to the propriety of the words. Some have a simple figurative sense, as, 'I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away,' These have but one simple sense; but then it is the figurative, and is not to be understood according to the literal meaning of the words, as if Christ were a tree, Thus you see what the simple sense is. The compound or mixed sense is found wherein one thing is held forth as a type of the other; and so it consists of two parts, the one respecting the type, the other the antitype; which are not two senses, but two parts of that one and entire sense intended by the Holy Ghost: e.g. Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, that those who were stung by the fiery serpents might look to it and be healed.

The full sense of which is, 'As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, that, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.' Here is a literal and mystical sense, which make up one full sense betwixt them. Those scriptures that have this compound sense, are sometimes fulfilled properly (or literally, as it is taken in opposition to figuratively) in the type and antitype both; as Hos. 11:1. 'I have called my Son out of Egypt,' which was literally true both of Israel and Christ. Sometimes figuratively in the type, and properly in the antitype, as Psal. 69:21. 'They gave me vinegar to drink.' Sometimes properly in the type, and figuratively in the antitype, as Psal. 2:9. 'Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron.' Compare 2 Sam. 12:31. Sometimes figuratively in both, as Psal. 41:9, 'Yea, mine own familiar friend hath lifted up his heel against me; which is meant of Ahithophel and Judas. Now the sense of the scripture must be but one, and not manifold, that is, quite different and nowise subordinate one to another, because of the unity of truth, and because of the perspicuity of the scripture.

2. Where there is a question about the true sense of scripture, it. must be found out what it is by searching other places that speak more clearly, the scripture itself being the infallible rule of interpreting of scripture. Now that it is so, appears from the following arguments.

(1.) The Holy Spirit gives this as a rule, 2 Pet. 1:20, 21. After the apostle had called the Christians to take heed to the scripture, he gives them this rule for understanding it, 'Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation of our own exposition. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.' As it came, so is it to be expounded: but it came not by the will of man; therefore we are not to rest on men for the sense of it, but holy men speaking as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and so never erring; therefore we are to look to the dictates of the same Spirit in other places.

(2.) There are several approved examples of this, comparing one scripture with another, to find out the meaning of the Holy Ghost, as Acts 15:15. And to this agree the words of the prophet,' The Bereans are commended for this, Acts 17:11. Yea, Christ himself makes use of this to show the true sense of the scripture against the devil, Matt. 4:6. 'Cast thyself down,' said that wicked spirit; for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee,' ver. 7. 'It is written again,' says Christ, 'Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.' And thus our Lord makes out the true sense of that scripture, that it is to be understood only with respect to them who do not cast themselves on a tempting of God.**

**The infallible rule of interpretation of scripture is the scripture itself; and, therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture which is not manifold but one, it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly. 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; Acts 15:16 — Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter I.9.

The Old Plea

This old plea from the pen of Richard Baxter is still applicable now nearly 400 years after it was initially published:

"If you had yet but a bleeding heart for sin, and could come to Christ believingly for recovery, and resign yourself  to Him as your Savior and Lord, and would be a new man for the time to come, the Lord would have mercy on you  in the pardon of your sins, and the everlasting salvation of your soul. And I must tell you that, as it must be the  great work of God's grace to give you such a heart, so if He ever intends to pardon and save you, 
    He will surely make this change upon you; He will make you feel your sin as the heaviest burden in the world, as  that which is most disgusting in itself, and has put you under His wrath and curse; He will make you see that you  are a lost man, and that there is nothing for you but everlasting damnation, unless you are pardoned by the blood  of Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit; He will make you see the need you have for Christ, and how all your hope and  life is in Him; He will make you see the vanity of this world and how little it can give you,, and that all your  happiness is with God, in that everlasting life in heaven, where you may, with the saints and angels, behold His  Glory, and live in His love, and be employed in His praises. Let me tell you that, till this work be done upon you, you are a miserable man; and if you die before it is done, you are lost for ever. Now you have hope and help before  you, but then there will be none. 
    Let me, therefore, plead with you, as you love your soul, First, that you will not rest in the condition in which you  presently are. Do not rest in your mind till a saving change is wrought in your heart. Think, when you rise in the  morning,  "Oh, what if this day should be my last, and death should find me in an un‐renewed state?" Think, when you are  about your work, "Oh, how much greater a work have I yet to do, to get my soul reconciled to God, and sanctified  by His Spirit!" Think, when you are eating, or drinking, or looking on anything that you possess in the world, " What  good will all this do me, if I live and die an enemy to God, and a stranger to Christ and His Spirit, and so perish  forever? " Let these thoughts be day and night upon your mind till your soul be changed. Secondly, I plead with you  to seriously consider what a vain world this is, and how shortly it will lead you to a cold grave, and to everlasting  misery, if you don't have a better treasure than it. And consider what it is to live in the presence of God, and to  reign with Christ, and be like the angels; and that this is the life that Christ has purchased and made available to you,  and is preparing for you, and offers to you, if you will only accept of it; and oh think, whether it be not madness to  slight such an endless glory, and to prefer these fleshly dreams and earthly shadows before it! Accustom yourself to  such considerations as these when you are alone, and let them dwell upon your mind. Thirdly, I entreat, that you  will presently, without any more delay, accept this happiness, and this Savior. Close with the Lord Jesus that offers  to you this eternal life: joyfully and thankfully accept His offer as the only way to make you happy: and then you may  believe that all your sins will be done away by Him. Fourthly, resolve to walk away from your former sins; find out  what has defiled your heart and life, and cast it from you, as you would cast poison out of your stomach, and abhor  the thought of taking it again. 
    My last request to you is, that you will set yourself to the diligent use of the means of grace (hearing sermons, bible study, Christian fellowship, Lord's Supper, etc.), until this change be wrought, and then continue the use of  these means till you are confirmed, and at last perfected: 
    (1) As you cannot of yourself effect this change upon your own heart and life, spend time daily with God in prayer, and beg earnestly, as for your life, that He will pardon all your sins, and change your heart, and show you the riches  of his grace in Christ, and the glory of his kingdom. Follow God day and night with these requests. 
    (2) Fly from temptations and occasions of sin, and give up your former evil company, and spend your time, instead, with those that fear God, and will help you in the way to heaven. 
    (3) Be specially careful to spend the Lord's day in holy exercises, both public and private, and lose not one quarter of  an hour of any of your time; but especially of that most precious time which God hath given you purposely, that  you may set your mind upon him, and be instructed by him, and prepare yourself for your latter end.  What say you to these things? Will you do this presently, or at least so much of it as you can? Will you give your word  that you will try?"

The Old Admonition

An old truth that has not changed, from the pen of A.W. Pink:

   “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)    

  These were the words of the incarnate Son of God. They have never been cancelled; nor will they be as  long as this world lasts. Repentance is absolutely necessary if the sinner is to “make peace with God” (Isa.  27:5), for repentance is the throwing down the weapons of rebellion against Him. Repentance does not save, yet no sinner ever was or ever will be saved without it. None but Christ saves, but an impenitent heart  cannot receive Him.  A sinner cannot truly believe until he repents. This is clear from the words of Christ concerning His  forerunner, “For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans  and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe  Him:” (Matt. 21:32). It is also evident from His clarion call in Mark 1:15, “repent ye, and believe the  gospel.” This is why the apostle Paul testified “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus  Christ (Acts 20:21). Make no mistake on this point dear reader, God “now commandeth all men everywhere  to repent” (Acts 17:30).In requiring repentance from us, God is pressing His righteous claims upon us. He is  infinitely worthy of supreme love and honor, and of universal obedience. This we have wickedly denied  Him. Both an acknowledgement and amendment of this is required from us. Our disaffection for Him and  our rebellion against Him are to be owned and made an end of. Thus repentance is a heartfelt realization of  how dreadfully I have failed, all through my life, to give God His rightful place in my heart and daily walk.  The righteousness of God's demand for my repentance is evident if we consider the heinous nature of  sin. Sin is a renouncing of Him who made me. It is refusing Him His right to govern me. It is the  determination to please myself; thus, it is rebellion against the Almighty. Sin is spiritual lawlessness, and  utter disregard for God's authority. It is saying in my heart, I care not what God requires, I am going to have  my own way ; I care not what be God's claim upon me, I am going to be lord over myself. Reader, do you  realize that this is how you have lived?  Now true repentance issues from a realization in the heart, wrought therein by the Holy Spirit, of the  exceeding sinfulness of sin, of the awfulness of ignoring the claims of Him who made me, of defying His authority. It is therefore a holy hatred and horror of sin, a deep sorrow for it, and acknowledgement of it  before God, and a complete heartforsaking of it. Not until this is done will God pardon us. “He that covereth  his sins shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and Forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Prov. 28:13).In true  repentance the heart turns to God and acknowledges: my heart has been set upon a vain world, which could  not meet the needs of my soul; I forsook Thee, the fountain of living waters, and turned unto broken cisterns  which held non: I now own and bewail my folly. But more, it says: I have been a disloyal and rebellious  creature, but I will be so no longer. I now desire and determine with all my might to serve and obey Thee as  my only Lord. I betake myself to Thee as my present and everlasting Portion.  Reader, be you a professing Christian or no, it is repent or perish . For every one of us, church members  or otherwise, it is either turn or burn — turn from your course of self-will and self-pleasing; turn in brokenness of heart to God, seeking His mercy in Christ; turn with full purpose of heart to please and serve HIM: or be tormented day and night, forever and ever, in the Lake of Fire. Which shall it be? Oh, get down  on your knees right now and beg God to give you the spirit of true repentance.   

“Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and  forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31). 

“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world  worketh death” (2 Cor. 7:10).

Old Directions for New Life

The following directions from the Puritan writer John Flavel  hold true for the new convert or struggling believer as well as the seasoned saint:

Do these, or any other considerations, put you upon this enquiry- how shall I get my desires kindled and enflamed towards Christ? Alas! my heart is cold and dead, not a serious desire is stirring in it after Christ. To you I shall offer the following directions:
Direction 1. Redeem some time every day for meditation; get out of the noise and clamour of the world, Psa 4:4, and seriously consider how the present state of your soul stands, and how it is likely to go with you in eternity: here all sound conversion begins, Psa 69:29.

Direction 2. Consider seriously that lamentable state in which you came into the world. You are a child of wrath by nature, under the curse and condemnation of the law: so that either your state must be changed, or you will inevitably be damned, John 3:3.

Direction 3. Consider the way and course you have taken since you came into the world, proceeding from iniquity to iniquity. What command of God have you not violated a thousand times over? What sin is committed in the world, that you are not one way or other guilty of before God? How many secret sins are upon your score, unknown to the most intimate friend you have in the world? Either this guilt must be separated from your souls, or your souls from God for all eternity.

Direction 4. Think upon the severe wrath of God reserved for every sin; "The wages of sin is death," Rom. 6:23. And how intolerable the fulness of that wrath must be when a few drops sprinkled upon the conscience in this world are so insupportable, that has made some to choose suicide rather than life. Yet this wrath must abide for ever upon you, if you do not get an interest in Jesus Christ, John 3:36.

Direction 5. Ponder well the happy state and condition they are in who have obtained pardon and peace by Jesus Christ, Psa 32:1,2. And seeing the grace of God is free, and you are set under the means of it; why may not you be as likely to find it as others?

Direction 6. Seriously consider the great uncertainty of your time and the preciousness of the opportunities of salvation, never to be recovered when they are once past, John 9:4. Let this arouse you to lay hold upon those golden seasons while they are yet with you; that you may not bewail your folly and madness, when they are out of your reach.

Direction 7. Associate yourselves with serious Christians; get into their acquaintance, and beg their assistance; beseech them to pray for you; and see that you rest not here, but be frequently upon your knees, begging of the Lord a new heart and a new state.
In conclusion of the whole, let me beseech and beg all the people of God, as upon my knees, to take heed, and beware, lest by the carelessness and scandal of their lives they quench the weak desires beginning to kindle in the hearts of others. You know what the law of God demands for striking a woman with child, so that her fruit go from her, Exod. 21:22,23. O shed not soul-blood, by stifling the hopeful desires of any after Christ.


How well are you doing? Is there room for improvement? 

Nothing New Under the Sun

They would very desirously have evangelical joy, peace, and assurance, to countenance them in their evil frames and careless walking And some have attempted to reconcile these things, unto the ruin of their souls. But it will not be. Without the diligent exercise of the grace of obedience, we shall never enjoy the grace of consolation. John Owen, 1616-1683, English Puritan minister and writer

Unfortunately, the situation that Owen refers to is all too common today. Far too many people attend churches looking for some sort of “Christian experience” to assuage guilty consciences and provide a “feel good about myself” attitude, never intending to learn about how their Creator sees them and what He expects from them. What is worse is that in many instances, these things are rarely mentioned much less taught.
Let us turn to 1 John 2:3-6 for some instruction- “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” John, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, teaches us that the Christian life is marked by obedience to His commandments. One might ask, “What commandments?” (hint- there are ten of them). No, the true convert cannot accomplish this perfectly, even with the aid of the Holy Spirit, which indwells every true believer, sins are committed. However, throughout the process of sanctification, measurable and tangible growth in putting away sinfulness and living a life of increasing obedience is the path that leads to rest for the soul.
Jesus had a serious warning for those who would think otherwise as we read in Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

The Old Path to Sound Doctrine

By entertaining of strange persons, men sometimes entertain angels unawares: but by entertaining of strange doctrines, many have entertained devils unawares.
- John Flavel

We are inundated daily with various views and opinions concerning virtually every aspect of our lives. There always seems to be someone or something around every corner trying to influence what we should buy, how to act, and yes, even think or believe. Nothing is more important than how we think about and believe the teaching of the Scriptures, as Jesus warns, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” Matt. 7:15-16; and Paul further exhorts, “lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.” Col. 2:4. Paul goes on to say, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Col. 2:8. It is from this, and other Scriptures, that we learn the “fruit” of a false teacher is characterized by teaching that is contrary to that which is in the Bible.
So then, what is one to do to keep from following unsound teaching? Paul gives us instruction, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim. 2:15. Luke tells of the Bereans who “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” Acts 17:11. But one may ask how to go about rightly dividing the Word of Truth to find out if what is taught agrees with the Scriptures. The Bible is not written like an ordinary instruction book, and at times all can be like the Ethiopian eunuch who, when asked if he understood what he was reading replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” Acts 8:31.
There is an old way of learning sound doctrine that is rarely used anymore that can be of good use to help us from being deceived. A good catechism, used like a road map, can lead and guide us through the Scriptures ensuring that we do not stay off into accepting false teaching. Through the years “He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” Eph. 4:11-12. Let us not forget the marvelous work of the godly men who walked before us! There is a good catechism by C.H. Spurgeon at the top of this page for the reader to examine, if you wish. Give it a try for when you “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16

The Old Truth

“Whatever religion or doctrine condones or makes allowances for sin is not of Christ. The Doctrine of Christ everywhere teaches self-denial and mortification of worldliness and sin. The whole stream of the gospel runs against those things. Scripture emphasizes the ‘holy’ and the ‘heavenly’ (not the sinful and the worldly). The true gospel has not even the slightest tendency to extol corrupt nature, or feed its pride by magnifying its freedom and power. And it rejects everything that undermines or obscures the merit of Christ, or tries to give any credit to man, in any way. And it certainly never makes the death of Christ a cloak to cover sin, but rather it always speaks of it as an instrument that destroys it!”- John Flavel

There are many “pathways” that would lead us astray should they be followed, such as doctrines of men – Mt 15: 8-9 “‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” We also need to be wary of the philosophies of men – Col 2:8 “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Against which we are warned, Eph. 5: 6-7 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.”
Often packaged as “new!” and “improved!”, such doctrines and
philosophies fail to deliver what only the Lord truly offers, “rest for your souls” (Matt. 11-29). The Scriptures have further instruction for us:
Mark 8:34 – 38 “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.’”
Romans 6:5 – 11 “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”