Recently I read Thomas Boston’s impressive work, Human Nature in Its Fourfold State. The book is a thorough treatment of anthropology (the doctrine of humanity) and hamartiology (the doctrine of sin), explaining the four “states” of human nature across the course of redemptive history. Those states are as follows:

The State of Innocence – Adam before the fall (able to obey, able to sin).The State of Nature – Depraved humanity after the fall (not able to obey, able to sin).The State of Grace – Redeemed believers after conversion (able to obey, able to sin).The Eternal State – Glorified believers in heaven (able to obey, not able to sin)

Taken as a whole, Boston’s four states stand as a masterful explanation of what the Bible says about the condition of our hearts as created beings, sinful beings, redeemed beings, and glorified beings. In dealing with both anthropology and hamartiology, Boston also presents us with a robust work of soteriology (the doctrine of salvation).

One specific part of the book that struck me was towards the end, in the section dealing with the eternal state. Boston calls his readers to consider the reality of death and the experience of dying – something that all human beings will face in time. In broaching this subject, Boston encourages us to “die comfortably.” To be clear, he’s not talking about hospice care, palliative treatment, or assisted suicide. Rather, Boston is talking about how to approach the day of death with confidence in the Lord and full assurance of salvation.

Practically, any pastor who has spent time with dying people knows that they don’t all experience death in the same way. Even among professing Christians, there is great variation in how different people “feel” about their impending death. Some seem to be relatively carefree and confident, eager to pass from this life and be with the Lord. Others seem anxious and troubled, as if they aren’t quite certain about what will happen after they take their last breath.

Boston wants you to “die comfortably,” with great confidence in the gospel and with a rock-solid hope in Jesus. To that end, Boston offers five pieces of advice, or counsel, to those who are still on this side of death.

First, “Let it be your constant care to keep a clean conscience.” Boston is talking about keeping a clean conscience toward both God and man. If there are things that stand between our relationships in heaven or on earth, those things ought to be dealt with – better sooner than later.Second, “Be always watchful, waiting for your change.” Boston is talking about being ready for the Lord Jesus to return or to take you home to glory. We know not when either will happen, which is precisely why Jesus urged his people to be ready for either event.Third, “Employ yourselves much in weaning your hearts from the world.” Boston is simply reminding us that this world is not our home. We are strangers and exiles and sojourners here. Thus, we must be careful that we do not become to comfortable in a place that isn’t home.Fourth, “Be diligent in gathering and laying up evidences of your title to heaven.” Boston is certainly calling us to work for our salvation or to earn our way into heaven. That is obvious from the rest of the book. He is, however, calling the people of God to bear fruit that evidences life.Fifth, “Despatch the work of your day and generation with speed and diligence.” Boston is asking us to recognize that none us of has any idea about the number of years, months, days, or hours that will be given to us. This means we must be serious about stewarding our time well.

In summary, Boston is reminding us that the way to die well is to live well, and the only way to live well is to repent of our sin, put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and allow the Lord to lead us in life.