§ 4. Nomista. But yet, sir, you, see that Christ requires a thirsting, before a man come unto him, the which, I conceive, cannot be without true repentance.
Evangelista. In the last chapter of the Revelation, verse 17, Christ makes the same general proclamation, saying, “Let him that is athirst come;” and as if the Holy Ghost had so long since answered the same objection that yours is, it follows in the next words, “And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely,” even without thirsting, if he will; for “him that cometh unto me, I will in nowise cast out,”* John 6:37. But because it seems you conceive he ought to repent before he believe, I pray tell me what you do conceive repentance to be, or wherein does it consist?
* Boston: That gospel-offer, Isa. 55:1. it the most solemn one to be found in all the Old Testament: and that recorded, Rev. 22:17, is the parting offer made to sinners by Jesus Christ, at the closing of the canon of the Scripture, and manifestly looks to the former; in the which I can see no ground to think, that the thirsting therein mentioned does any way restrict the offer; or that the thirsty there invited, are convinced, sensible sinners, who are thirsting after Christ and his righteousness; the which would leave without the compass of this solemn invitation, not only the far greater part of mankind, but even of the visible church. The context seems decisive in this point; for the thirsting ones invited, are such as are “spending money for that which is not bread, and their labour for that which satisfieth not,” (verses 1, 2;) but convinced, sensible sinners who are thirsting after Christ and his righteousness, are not spending their labour and money at that rate; but on the contrary, for that which is bread and satisfieth, namely, for Christ. Wherefore the thirsting there mentioned, most be more extensive, comprehending, yea, and principally aiming at that thirst after happiness and satisfaction, which, being natural, is common to all mankind. Men pained with this thirst (or hunger) are naturally running, for quenching thereof to the empty creation, end their fulsome lusts; “so spending money for that which is not bread, and their labour for that which satisfieth not,” their hungry souls find no food, but what is meagre and lean, bad and unwholesome, and cannot satisfy their appetite. Compare Luke 15:16. In this wretched case Adam left all mankind, and Christ finds them. Whereupon the gospel-proclamation is issued forth, inviting them to come away from the broken cisterns, filthy puddles, to the waters of life, even to Jesus Christ, where they may have bread, fatness, what is good, and will satisfy that their painful thirst, John 4:14, and 6:35.
Thomas Boston | The Whole Works of Thomas Boston: An Explication of the Assembly’s Shorter Catechism, ed. Samuel M‘Millan, vol. 7 (Aberdeen: George and Robert King, 1850) 278.

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Post authored by:

• Tony Phelps

  

  Tony grew up in Rhode Island. He was educated at BA (University of Rhode Island) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He worked in the insurance industry for ten years. He planted a PCA church in Wakefield, RI where he served for eleven years. In 2015–18 he pastored Covenant Reformed Church (URCNA) in Colorado Springs. He is currently pastor of Living Hope (OPC). Tony is married to Donna and together they have three children.

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