Human Nature in Its Fourfold State


Human Nature in its Fourfold State is a 1720 book by Scottish Presbyterian theologian and philosopher Thomas Boston. It was extremely popular and influential in 18th century Scotland.

Theory on human nature

Boston organizes human nature into four aspects: Primitive Integrity, Entire Depravity, Begun Recovery, and Consummate Happiness or Misery. They correspond to Augustine of Hippo's four own figured states: able to sin, not able not to sin, able not to sin, unable to sin.

Impact

Sinclair Ferguson notes that "the book became virtually synonymous with the evangelical tradition in Scotland and could be found in many homes along with a family Bible, the Shorter Catechism, and a copy of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress." Philip Ryken notes that it was "the most frequently published Scottish book of the eighteenth century, going through nearly 60 editions by 1800 and over one hundred editions in all."