The Art of Man-Fishing: How to Reach the Lost

by Thomas Boston

This is a classic explanation of the Puritan approach to evangelism that will serve as an encouragement for anyone explaining the gospel to someone else.

Genres: Theology, Evangelism, Spirituality, Christian Living

96 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1969

About the author

Thomas Boston was a Scottish church leader.

He was born at Duns. His father, John Boston, and his mother, Alison Trotter, were both Covenanters. He was educated at Edinburgh, and licensed in 1697 by the presbytery of Chirnside. In 1699 he became minister of the small parish of Simprin, where there were only 90 examinable persons; previously, he was a schoolmaster in Glencairn. In 1704 he found, while visiting a member of his flock, a book brought into Scotland by a commonwealth soldier. This was the famous Marrow of Modern Divinity, by Edward Fisher, a compendium of the opinions of leading Reformation divines on the doctrine of grace and the offer of the Gospel, which set off the Marrow Controversy.

Its object was to demonstrate the unconditional freeness of the Gospel. It cleared away such conditions as repentance, or some degree of outward or inward reformation, and argued that where Christ is heartily received, full repentance and a new life follow. On Boston's recommendation, James Hog of Carnock reprinted The Marrow in 1718; and Boston also published an edition with notes of his own. The book, being attacked from the standpoint of high Calvinism, became the standard of a far-reaching movement in Scottish Presbyterianism.

The Marrow men were marked by the zeal of their service and the effect of their preaching. As they remained Calvinists they could not preach a universal atonement; rather they were particular redemptionists. In 1707 Boston was translated to Ettrick, Scotland. He was the only member of the assembly who entered a protest against the lightness of the sentence passed on John Simson, Professor of Divinity at Glasgow, who was accused of heterodox teaching on the Incarnation.

Boston has been described as a man of singular piety and amiability, although unduly introspective. His autobiography is an interesting record of Scottish life, full of sincerity and tenderness, and not devoid of humorous touches, intentional and otherwise. His books include The Fourfold State, one of the religious classics of Scotland; The Crook in the Lot, a little book noted for its originality; and his Body of Divinity and Miscellanies. These works had a powerful influence over the Scottish peasantry. Among his works is a learned treatise on Hebrew points. His Memoirs were published in 1776 (ed. GD Low, 1908). An edition of his works in 12 volumes appeared in 1849.

Reviews

[Rafael Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of valuable insights on ministry and the heart of a preacher. I bought this book thinking it would be on evangelism only to find it to be on the nature of gospel ministry. But what a timely surprise! This is a soliloquy written by Boston when he was 22 as a licensed preacher waiting for ordination. Anyone aspiring ministry would profit to see such an earnest heart for the Lord.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected that this would be about evangelism, but it was more about following Christ in ministry so that you might become a fisher of men. Even then, I didn't think this was outstanding among many other Puritan works in that regard, and many of his points were - as Calvin might say - more ingenious than solid. Still, what he wrote was absolutely remarkable considering that Boston was only 22 at the time. That doesn't make it more valuable though, just remarkable.

But the book has value for another reason - for its genre, whatever that is. It seems it was written not for others but for himself - almost as a stream of thought reflection and meditation. Interspersed with his thoughts are prayers to God for help and references to specific dates in his journal that are not spelled out for us. So while this book would not be my first recommendation to anyone about evangelism or the ministry, it is an excellent example of how Puritans wrestled with, contemplated, meditated on, and applied the Scriptures to themselves, and it lends some insight into the almost completely abandoned Puritan practice of spiritual journaling.

[Eli · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an impressive little volume considering the fact that Thomas Boston wrote it when he was only 22 years old. Also, considering the fact the entire book is written to himself, addressed to his own "soul", Boston's "The Art of Manfishing" is a fascinating window into the mind and inner machinations of a young Puritan.

Since "The Art of Manfishing" is a Puritan book, it is both deeply helpful and deeply flawed. The Puritans are deeply helpful in that their sobriety about life is contagious. They took life seriously and they took God seriously. They kept the reality of death and judgment to come in view in all that they wrote and did. We all can have more of this. On the other hand, the Puritans were deeply flawed in that they understood the gospel in a kind of schizophrenic way: on the one hand they believed in the gift of righteousness that is by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, but on the other hand they also believed that God would be angry with them and punish them if they sinned or disobeyed Him. Thus their joy in the gospel was practically nullified, and many Puritans lived discouraged lives, hoping in the grace of God yet lamenting the feeling that God was constantly displeased with them (see the case of John Bunyan in this regard).

The most valuable issue Boston raises in the book concerns Jesus' saying: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Boston asks the question, "How does Christ make men fishers of men?" Is it that He only makes them fishers by office, regardless of their success, or does He also make them successful fishermen? In other words, according to this saying, when a man follows Christ, does Christ promise success at fishing, or only that the person will become a fisher? This is an excellent question, worth asking. Boston answers affirmatively, that Christ will make a man both a fisher by office and also successful, provided that the man follows Christ and imitates Christ's example. Boston doesn't set out to prove his point in the book, but only proceeds to lay out the example of Christ for us to follow. Therefore the question remains an excellent question to explore with others.

Boston challenges preachers of the gospel to study the life of Christ, to examine why they are preaching (for what end and for whose glory?), and to see their need for following Christ's example in manfishing.

The example of Christ is laid out by Boston in eight points (the following is in my own words):

1. Christ preached because He was sent.
2. Christ sought to glorify God.
3. Christ had the good of souls in view.
4. Christ was emotionally affected by men's state.
5. Christ was much in prayer.
6. Christ shunned man's praise and material security.
7. Christ sought for souls in private.
8. Christ sought for souls in public.

These points are all very true and good. I especially thought his first point was profound, though I feel like he himself did not grasp the profundity of it. Boston made much of being ordained by the Church to preach, but didn't talk as much about the sense of being called by God to preach. According to the Scriptures the Church is commanded by Christ to preach the gospel into all the world. Stress does not need to be laid upon personal unique callings, but upon the universal call that we, the Body, have already received. Since Christ preached with the knowledge that He was sent, and with the awareness that He was not preaching of His own accord, so the Church must also preach with the crucial awareness that we are not preaching of our own accord and initiative, but that we, like Christ, are sent as well. Good preaching is preaching with this sense, or awareness, of calling.

Another good point Boston made was the need to care about souls and to be emotionally affected by their case. He highlights how Jesus had compassion for souls and wept over their case, and how Jesus was grieved for souls because of the hardness of their hearts. Christ was not careless and emotionally removed. He knew the value of souls. How can a fisherman be successful if he doesn't see the value of fish? He will not make a very good effort, and use all his skill in order to catch fish if he doesn't see the value of them. Boston exhorts us to have the mind of Christ in this regard.

Probably the main point Boston makes in the book is the need for prayer. One will not be successful in manfishing if one is not praying. Christ prayed. Prayer is so important to Boston, that little else is. We need to beseech God to use our preaching, to break hard hearts, to drive the fish into the net, to keep the devil away, to keep us healthy and capable, to give us clarity and power in preaching, etc. This can only be good advice. While we are prone to wonder what good prayer can do, and we wonder why God even wants us to pray since He already knows everything before we ask, nevertheless we have the example of Jesus Christ before us. If the Son of God prayed, it doesn't really matter what our doubts may be. We, too, need to pray.

"The Art of Manfishing" is a good book. I wouldn't say that it is a great book. It contains much of what you will find in any book on evangelism. Boston's Puritanism gets in the way too much of the time, and as I said, this has a good side and a bad side. Nevertheless, I appreciate our brother's passion for souls and his desire to follow Christ's example. His sobriety about life is so important for our age to understand. I pray that we may all have the same passion for souls in our hearts, and the same desire to follow the One who makes us fishers of men.

[Nathanael Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. You can feel the heart of Boston is these pages. This book is a worthwhile read for all in pastoral ministry. Boston is deep in self searching. If the reader considers in their own life the things Boston asks of himself, then they will benefit greatly. He expounds well the heart of Christ, digging through his ministry to see how one might follow faithfully. Challenging. Encouraging. Powerful.

[Mr. Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Add this to your "short books that you should read" if you're Reformed.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great small book. I didn’t expect Boston to say anything about preaching but he does (which makes sense giving the topic he wrote about).

[Hulda Gilca]

"O what a shame is it for thee to sit down in company, and rise again, and part with them, and never a word of Christ to be heard where thou art? Be ashamed of this, and remember what Christ says, Matth. 10:32, 33. "Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father,—but whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father, which is in heaven."" - Thomas Boston

[Ethan McCarter · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and heartfelt treatise from one of the greatest Scot theologians and preachers in history. Boston's writing, even at the age of 22, is excellent. He's thorough, experiential, wise, and heart-searching. The Puritan's and Marrowmen had a far different understanding of evangelism than Christians do now. That's not to say that the church needs to abandon how it currently seeks to reach the lost and go back to 1700s Scottish methods! The piety and love for the lost are apparent here. Recall though that it was odd for a person to not have some kind of background in the church even if they were nominal; that goes for all of the British Isles. Therefore, Boston's understanding of manfishing primarily centres around preaching from the pulpit and not outreach into the community such as seen in Whitefield's ministry. The one major issue is that the work is unfinished! Granted, it wasn't published until after his death, and he wrote it while still a probationer, so it's understandable why he didn't finish it. The part where it stops is in the middle of a thought though! It's an excellent short treatise on how to go fishing for men particularly for preachers ministering in a congregation. Highly recommended!

[Steven Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of the book was enough to make me take the bait and read this ebook. Thomas Boston’s filling out of this Scriptural analogy was enjoyable. But what really endeared this little book to me were his diary notes and self examination. He wrote this to encourage and search himself. I was greatly challenged and encouraged by his open confession and self assessment. The dates of his diary entries to verify that he did indeed have a fire for God in him, and he did know his own rottenness- it just brings it all home. Primarily written for preachers seeking to catch men for God, but I think all would benefit in considering the souls of men and the need to skillfully and gravely approach our gospel witness.

[Matthew Prydden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about following Christ's example in the preaching of the gospel. For someone who had very little books of his own possession, its perhaps not surprising that Boston wrote this short treatise to himself. His design was to remind himself of the wonders and responsibilities of preaching the gospel, constantly searching his own heart for sinful and prideful errors. I recently watched a video of a horse's hoof being cleaned and all of the damaged and useless tissue being cleared away leaving behind only that is which is good, useful and healthy. This book reminded me of that but with the heart. I would encourage all Christians to read it, especially preachers and ministers of the gospel.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boston's brief book is an encouragement to Christians, and preachers specifically to proclaim the Gospel. My favorite portion of the book was his description of the lost apart from the comforts of the Gospel. He also specifically admonishes pastors not to be afraid to challenge hearers, focusing specifically on their worry that they might offend someone and lose their job/income. This particular edition is introduced by Packer, who describes what evangelism sometimes looked like in the era of Puritans like Boston. A good devotional read.

[Kenny Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some v helpful comments on personal assurance & holiness for evangelism & preaching, but requires thoughtful historical interpretation to avoid over-spiritualising vocational ministry. Super helpful intro by Packer on the Puritan conviction, contra modernist ‘rally’ approaches, that conversion usually takes time.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short little booklet on the reasons for evangelism and outreach. Boston places the emphasis on self (similar to the first half of Baxter's The Reformed Pastor). Through providence and election once you submit to Christ, the opportunity for outreach will come with ease.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book by Puritan, Thomas Boston.

[Alexandru Balaur]

Very humbling.

[Cale Fauver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pithy. Wise. Lays bare the heart of the fisher, and encourages him to go fish.

[Seth Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stirring, practical call to evangelism and faithfulness in ministry. Not as lively as Baxter’s Reformed Pastor or Call to the Unconverted, but still gripping and helpful.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like it, but Boston perhaps waxed a little too eloquent and got carried away with the analogy of fishing for men. He compares sinners to fish in all kinds of ways and talks about the sorts of nets we should use to catch them in, how the mesh of doctrine must not be too loose or they will slip away, etc. That type of stretching of the analogy doesn't appeal to me that much.

[Jason Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful old book on evangelism. Will be rereading it for sure.