The Crook in the Lot: Or the Sovereignty and Wisdom of God Displayed in the Afflictions of Men

by Thomas Boston, Maureen L. Bradley

When calamity and disaster strike as it did on September 11th, many people begin to ask, "Where is God?" and "Why did God allow this to happen?" These are the very questions Thomas Boston addresses in this timeless book. This book includes an introduction and a study guide to maximize the impact of this classic work.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Christianity, Audiobook, Counselling

195 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

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

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read many books on enduring trials & the difficulties of suffering, Crook in the Lot approached this subject from a biblical angle that's rarely preached or understood.
That is ...it's not enough to know that God is with you in your hardships or that He will ultimately bring good of all of them but that He is the source of your trials & sufferings, this makes all the difference.
Grasping this truth will be an anchor for your soul when your little ship is out on the sea tossing & turning in the overwhelming darkness of night; when you can't see your way & are tempted to believe all hope is gone. If it seems there's no way out; depression, sickness, anxiety or anything that has the potential to engulf us is closing in, Crook in the Lot opens the way to guide us back to God as the sovereign overseeing every detail of our lives.

This book would certainly be in my top 5 books I've ever read on this subject for the deep & abiding spiritual principles & practical applications it provided. If you're struggling & discouraged & are doubting the goodness of God in your life, this little book will serve to guide you back to the path of faith & trust that God isn't absent at all but rather is very present & involved.

Thank God for this encouraging hope & reassurance day by day while we endure the effects of a fallen world

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a long time to read this book and I am glad that it did. Each time I picked it up it was balm to my soul in some new way. It is not an easy book to read and I cannot imagine rushing through it but I was happy to read it here and there over the last six months especially when walking through some tough times.

[Josh Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book nearly 300 years old! Although I have read the Bible through many times, the Bible verse upon which the title of this book is based, is a verse that had never stood out to me before. The Scripture reference? Ecclesiastes 7:13 which states, "Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?"

Boston, in this short, yet powerful and Scripture filled book, shows us "what to believe when our lot in life is not health, wealth, and happiness." (subtitle of the copy that I have)

If you only want to feel better after reading a book, then I submit to you that you stay far away from this book. However, if you want some "strong medicine" along with some "sweetener" here and there, I wholeheartedly encourage you to pick up a copy and read it.

Two things stand out to me in this book - 1) the vast use of Scripture (from all parts of the OT & NT) and 2) the overall emphasis on humility when it comes to dealing with the "crooks in the lot" that God brings our way.

The last sentence of the book (and a theme throughout) is this: "We may assure ourselves, God will at length break in pieces the proud, be they ever so high; and he will triumphantly lift up the humble, be they ever so low."

This book runs counter to the "health, wealth, & prosperity" movement that has been the rage in much of today's Christianity and for that reason, I encourage you to read it!

[Nathan White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read through this several times - it's essential reading on God's providence, suffering, difficulty in life, etc. It's full of scripture and wisdom and a heavenly perspective on the afflictions we all experience. Each time I read or refer to it I'm brought low and led to confession of sin, as well as reoriented to a more heavenly perspective on life.

Note that it is repetitive, and even tedious at times. Also, I'd differ here and there with some of his Puritan perspective on providence.

It's not a full treatment of the subject of afflictions, but it's one of the best places to start, IMO.

[Michael Locklear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really, this book deserves a rating of 4.5 stars. This book (especially this edition with the introduction by J. I. Packer) is a must read. Written by the Scottish Puritan Thomas Boston and first published in 1737, this book speaks to those who are suffering, coming out of a period of suffering or about to enter into a time of suffering. In other words, this book is for everyone; for we will all suffer in this world.
The title truly describes the book, but allow me to share the author's concluding words:
You have heard much of the Crook in the Lot; the excellency of humbleness of spirit in a low lot, beyond pride of spirit, though joined with a high one. You have been called to humble yourselves in your humbling circumstances, and have been assured in that case of a lifting up. To conclude: we may assure ourselves, God will at length break in pieces the proud, be they ever so high; and he will triumphantly lift up the humble, be they ever so low. [pp158, 159]

[Aria Greendyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very (very) thorough exposition of Ecclesiastes 7:13, about trials and difficulties that people encounter during their lives and how they are all there by God's sovereign hand. I found Boston much easier to read than other Puritans - although I think I've only read John Owen's books in depth (and only in the abridged Puritan Paperback versions), and a few others in short sermons, etc. He covered what reasons there might be for trials, who might experience them (everyone in the world), and what we can do about them - namely, submit to God's providence and find good in it. The second half of the book was covering two verses about humility, since Boston says that humility is the only way to be at peace with the sufferings we'll experience in the world. It's definitely a good biblical perspective on what to think when experiencing difficulties - I found some parts convicting and there were some ideas from the book I'll be holding on to. I also appreciated how dedicated he was to exalting Christ and pointing to how we can trust God, no matter what.

That said, it's still a Puritan book and you know what that means - just a tad too long, not to mention the subpoints of subpoints of subpoints where you lose the main point... nothing against this, honestly, but I just find it to be dragging on a bit by the time I get to the end of only 140 pages. I would recommend it for anyone who's trying to explore more of the Puritan's works and/or is going through a trial that they're really having difficulty seeing God's hand in - or just struggling with complaining about little sufferings throughout daily life.

[Kofi Opoku · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent treatise on how the Christian should respond to suffering. Boston’s central thesis is that we must allow our spirit to be humbled in acceptance of our trial and to endure patiently, knowing that God will eventually lift us up, either in this life or in the next one. He argues that the way to make good use of your trial is not to spend time dwelling on the means by which it is brought about but on God who designed it for our humbling and glory. His scriptural references were excellent.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sinclair Ferguson was recently asked, "If you could only read one Scottish theologian, who would it be?"

"Thomas Boston," he replied.

I was surprised by his answer. But read this book and you will understand why Dr Ferguson answered as he did. You may even be persuaded to agree with him.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blew my socks off.
I am in awe of how big and powerful God is.
Every suffering is for a reason. For our growth.
I can pray your will be done and truly mean it.
What a beautiful hope to cling to.

[Josh Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic and comforting book. Highly recommended for anyone who is suffering from a crook in their lot. I needed this one.

[Caleb Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best guide through suffering that I have ever read, and it’s not even close. Boston makes clear in a timeless way that God is purposefully using suffering in your life, and because of that, it is to be embraced humbly as a gift from the Lord. There is no better resource that I have seen, and is applicable for all people.

[Tori Samar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"As you meet with crosses in your lot in the world, let your bent be rather to have your spirit humbled and brought down, than to get the cross removed. I mean not but that you may use all lawful means for the removal of your cross, in dependence on God; but only that you be more concerned to get your spirit to bow and ply, than to get the crook in your lot evened."

The quote above aptly summarizes my key takeaway from this book. This side of heaven, we will all have "crooks in our lot"—trials, tribulations, struggles, etc.—permitted to be there by the providence and wisdom of God. The question then is, how will we respond? Will we buck against the crooks in our lot and expend ourselves trying to straighten them out so that we can return to our lives of ease and comfort? Or will we will humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, knowing that He will lift us up in due time? Whom will we have as sovereign in our lives—self or Savior?

[Kelly Burtrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doctrinally solid book that is full of words of wisdom from a pastoral heart. If we want to be loved and cared for by God, we must learn contentment and humility.
We must quiet ourselves with the knowledge that regardless of our difficulties and hardships, God is directly involved and He will (ultimately) work all things for our good and His glory.
Highly recommend!

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply encouraging and convicting.

[Makayla Hidalgo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read alongside a study of the book of Ruth. Convicting and encouraging.

[Rachel Ma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Boston takes the command to submit to the crook in your lot and to humble yourself under it farther than what might be considered reasonable - and it seems unreasonable because we find not getting our own way to be unreasonable. At least, that was my initial reaction to reading some of the passages in this book. Yet that sense of unreasonableness is what made me realize just how ingrained into our sinful natures it is to chafe under the yoke that Christ himself has said is light and easy, and how much more sorrow we add upon ourselves in struggling against the yoke instead of going quietly under it. I found this message to come at a very timely period in my life, but I suspect I would have it to be so at any point in life; just because we will have to wait until the next life to have all the crooks in our lot straightened out. The many quotations from Scripture found in this book were also really helpful, many of which I had not seen used previously in this context. My only complaint is that I wish Boston had provided more references for the verses he includes.

[Annie Hogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Very much like The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment and helpful in the same ways, systematically reminding you truths about humbling circumstances and our hearts’ proud tendencies in them being what makes the circumstances seem so unbearable to us. He gives you many ways to talk/preach to yourself and help to bring your proud heart down to match (so to speak) your circumstances so that they will not seem troublesome to you anymore. I was deeply humbled as I listened to several sections of this book—ashamed of my own selfishness, moved to tears and prayer. This book is so helpful. He ends with such an encouraging section on the hope of the certainty of the final lifting up of the humble from all the crooks in their lot and a reminder that the proud will be crushed. This and The Rare Jewel are both books to return to to help us humble ourselves now in the day of salvation.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part is the main point: God knows what He's doing when He send trials into our lives. The style of the writing is very interesting, because Boston uses a lot of points and sub-points as he presents his case--very methodical. Some might say, "He's repeating himself a lot!", but I needed to be reminded over and over again that He is sovereign; He is wise and loving; suffering is for our gain; hope lies ahead; He will strengthen us in our trials, etc. He quotes a lot of Scripture to support his argument, which I loved.

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with Rare Jewel, the thing that jumped out at me here was the idea of being nothing. The thought that I am nothing is profoundly freeing. I am loved and cherished, protected and treasured, sung-over and delighted-in, welcomed and wanted nothingness. All of the somethingness is in Him, so there's every reason for my eyes to be drawn away from myself to Him—to His loveliness, kindness, holiness, mercy, goodness, sovereignty, might, wisdom, and trustworthiness. And there is all joy and peace!

Narrator was good.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book with portions that are excellent. I think the exposition of 1 Peter 5:6 is a must read.

[Deborah Laajanen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having struggled with Theodicy, I highly recommend this book. A humble, saintly, and creaturely disposition in times of sufferings unfold in the pages of the book, well-laid by the puritan author.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little repetitive but still good. I liked the last section (reflection on 1 Peter 5) the best

[Allie MacPhail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing like a Puritan writer to attempt to answer the question why do bad things happen? Heavy to read but impressive in its thoroughness, depth and reliance on scripture.

[Hampton Simms · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is now my favorite book

[Zach Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early students of Princeton Seminary were required to read rich devotional literature, and this small volume was one recommended by Archibald Alexander. Many students frank deeply of Boston’s pages, as I have six times now. I can say that no book has shaped my pastoral ministry as much as this book. In what ways has this been so? Let me name a few:

One, Boston provides a more robust picture of suffering than any other book written today. From relationships to vocations, from physical deformities to spiritual ailments, from duration of ills to their destructive power, he provides a lens to see the longstanding hurts around you.

Two, Boston places suffering in its covenantal context. He refuses to treat people as if they dwelt in the Garden; instead, he sees them as enduring the “discipline of the covenant.” His covenantal anthropology shapes his pastoral care.

Three, Boston outlines a robust view of the role of suffering in the Christian life. Although some of these can only been seen with a measure of insight or outside counsel, he removes the hopelessness of suffering through these discussions.

Fourth, Boston applies so many different balms of comfort. Utilizing the attributes of God (particularly power, wisdom, and goodness), the humiliation and exaltation of Christ, the threefold office of Christ, the doctrine of Providence, and more, Boston lifts the soul above her sufferings to see God Almighty.

Fifth, Boston turns our attention from the condition of the man to the character. More than removing the yoke of suffering, Boston addresses the pride and willfulness that chaffs under the yoke. Where God lays a naked cross upon us, our pride makes it far heavier. By focusing on the spiritual character, he equips us for any and every burden, turning suffering into sanctification.

I could name more, but I refrain. Read the book, and you will be equipped to counsel many souls through the sufferings of this life.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boston’s “Crook on the Lot” could be God’s tool for transforming how you think about the hard things in your life. Though the dated language of the title obscures the book’s theme, this is a book about we should think about the hard appointments that God sets in our life, whether they be sudden or persistent trials.

The most helpful portion of Boston’s book for me was Boston’s discussion of how we are to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. I cannot recall a more beneficial discussion of Christian humility. This alone was worth the price of the book.

One criticism was the work of the publisher. This edition has the advantage of a detailed outline at the beginning (helpful) and a study guide (which I did not review), but overall the poor production quality did not match the excellence of the theological content.

[Philip Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Essential Christian reading.


---
July 30th 2025

Quite possibly one of my favourite Christian books of all time.

- Realistic, vulnerable, universally applicable topic
- No Scriptural stone left unturned
- Gripping yet painstakingly logical prose
- Drawn from my favourite book in Scripture, Ecclesiastes
- Anticipates the resurrection
- Feels like jumping into a cold lake compared to the average Christian book today

So good.

"All the liftings up which the humbled meet with now are pledges, and only pledges and samples of the great lifting up which awaits them on the other side. And they should look upon them as such..."

[Deb Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5/5)
Lots of quotes from this one. God is sovereign over all our trials. He uses affliction to humble and grow us.
Reasons for trials (crooks) - "weaning one from this world and prompting him to look after the happiness of the other world."
"God makes a crook in one's lot to convince him of some false step he has made or course he has taken."
"Discovery of latent corruption"
"He takes notice of what the idol is in everyone's case which is most apt to be His rival so that He may suit the trial to the case, making the crook there."

"Everyone knows what is most pleasant to him, but God alone knows what is most profitable."

[Nathanael Ayling · Rating 4 out of 5]

If God has made something crooked, we cannot make it straight.
If God has made something straight, we cannot make it crooked.

This is 4.5 hours of exploring what it means that God is in control of all things and works it all for the good of those who love him, even those things that are hard and unpleasant to us. We can trust that he is using it for our good and for eternal joy!
It is not wrong to seek ways of alleviating our hardship, AS LONG AS we are doing it with our eyes on the Lord, trusting him to work in all things for our good, not putting our hopes in other things.

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Painful book to read and yet so encouraging knowing God has it in His hands. Here was the quote I will never forget.
"Prosperity puffs up sinners with pride; for it is very hard to keep a low spirit with a high prosperous lot. But God by affliction, calls men down from their heights to sit in the dust, plucks away their gay feathers in which they prided themselves, rubs the paint and varnish from off the creature by which it appears more in its native deformity"