David and the holy men of old
And a sort of reason there is, which has been frequently brought to support these strange assertions, drawn from the examples recorded in the word of God. What, say they: did not Abraham himself commit sin, prevaricating and denying his wife (Genesis 20:2)? Did not Moses commit sin, when he provoked God at the waters of strife (Psalm 106:32)? Nay, to produce one for all, did not even David, the man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), commit sin in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11), even murder and adultery? It is most sure he did. All this is true. But what is it you would infer from this? It may be granted, first, that David, in the general course of his life, was one of the holiest men among the Jews. And, secondly, that the holiest men among the Jews did sometimes commit sin. But if you would hence infer that all Christians do and must commit sin as long as they live: this consequence we utterly deny. It will never follow from those premises.
1771 text
7. And a sort of reason there is, which has been frequently brought to support these strange assertions, drawn from the examples recorded in the word of God, “What say they, did not Abraham himself commit sin, prevaricating and denying his wife? Did not Moses commit sin, when he provoked God, at the waters of strife? Nay, to produce one for all, did not even David, the man after God’s own heart, commit sin, in the matter of Uriah the Hittite, even murder and adultery?” It is most sure he did. All this is true. But what is it you would infer from hence? It may be granted, first, that David, in the general course of his life, was one of the holiest men among the Jews. And, secondly, that the holiest men among the Jews did sometimes commit sin. But if you would hence infer, that all Christians do, and must commit sin, as long as they live: this consequence we utterly deny. It will never follow from those premisses.
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 40 in the 1771 Works. Philippians 3:12.
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