God works by man
All this is indeed the work of God. It is God alone who can cast out Satan. But he is generally pleased to do this by man, as an instrument in his hand, who is then said to cast out devils in his name, by his power and authority. And he sends whom he will send upon this great work, but usually such as man would never have thought of. For his ways are not as our ways, nor his thoughts as our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). Accordingly he chooses the weak to confound the mighty, the foolish to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27), for this plain reason: that he may secure the glory to himself, that no flesh may glory in his sight (1 Corinthians 1:29).
1771 text
14. All this is indeed the work of God. It is God alone who can cast out Satan. But he is generally pleased to do this by man, as an instrument in his hand: who is then said, to cast out devils in his name, by his power and authority. And he sends whom he will send upon this great work: but usually such as man would never have thought of. For his ways are not as our ways, neither his thoughts as our thoughts. Accordingly he chuses the weak to confound the mighty, the foolish, to confound the wise: for this plain reason, that he may secure the glory to himself; that no flesh may glory in his sight.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 38 in the 1771 Works. Mark 9:38-39.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.