Never heard of for seventeen hundred years
It has been observed already that the opposite doctrine, that there is no sin in believers, is quite new in the church of Christ. It was never heard of for 1,700 years, never until it was discovered by Count Zinzendorf. I do not remember seeing the least hint of it, either in any ancient writer or in any modern one, unless perhaps in some of the wild, ranting Antinomians. And these likewise say and unsay. They acknowledge that there is sin in their flesh, although no sin in their heart. But whatever doctrine is new must be wrong, for the old religion is the only true one. And no doctrine can be right unless it is the very same which was from the beginning.
1771 text
9. It has been observed before, that the opposite doctrine, “that there is no sin in believers,” is quite new in the church of Christ: that it was never heard of for seventeen hundred years, never ’till it was discovered by Count Zinzendorf. I do not remember to have seen the least intimation of it, either in any antient or modern writer: unless perhaps in some of the wild, ranting Antinomians. And these likewise say and unsay, acknowledging, there is sin in their flesh, although no sin in their heart. But whatever doctrine is new must be wrong: for the old religion is the only true one. And no doctrine can be right, unless it is the very same which was from the beginning.
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 13 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 5:17.
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