The consequences of the new doctrine
One argument more against this new, unscriptural doctrine may be drawn from its dreadful consequences. One person says, I felt anger today. Must I reply, Then you have no faith? Another says, I know that what you advise is good, but my will is quite set against it. Must I tell him, Then you are an unbeliever, under the wrath and the curse of God? What will follow from that? If he believes what I say, his soul will not only be grieved and wounded, but perhaps utterly destroyed, because he will cast away that confidence which has a great reward. And having cast away his shield, how shall he quench the fiery darts of the wicked one? How shall he overcome the world? For this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. He stands disarmed in the midst of his enemies, open to all their assaults. What wonder, then, if he is utterly overthrown, if they take him captive at their will? Yes, if he falls from one wickedness to another, and never sees good any more?
I cannot, therefore, by any means receive this assertion, that there is no sin in a believer from the moment he is justified. First, because it is contrary to the whole tenor of scripture. Second, because it is contrary to the experience of the children of God. Third, because it is absolutely new, never heard of in the world until yesterday. And last, because it naturally brings the most fatal consequences. It not only grieves those whom God has not grieved, but may drag them into everlasting perdition.
1771 text
10. One argument more against this new, unscriptural doctrine, may be drawn from the dreadful consequences of it. One says, “I felt anger to-day.” Must I reply, then you have no faith? Another says, “I know what you advise is good. But my will is quite averse to it.” Must I tell him, “Then you are an unbeliever, under the wrath and the curse of God?” What will be the natural consequence of this? Why, if he believe what I say, his soul will not only be grieved and wounded, but perhaps utterly destroyed: Inasmuch as he will cast away that confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. And having cast away his shield, how shall he quench the fiery darts of the wicked one? How shall he overcome the world? Seeing this is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith. He stands disarmed in the midst of his enemies, open to all their assaults. What wonder then if he be utterly overthrown; if they take him captive at their will? Yea, if he fall from one wickedness to another, and never see good any more?――――I cannot therefore by any means receive this assertion, that there is no sin in a believer from the moment he is justified; first, because it is contrary to the whole tenor of scripture; secondly, because it is contrary to the experience of the children of God. Thirdly, because it is absolutely new, never heard of in the world ’till yesterday; and lastly, because it is naturally attended with the most fatal consequences; not only grieving those whom God hath not grieved, but perhaps dragging them into everlasting perdition.
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.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.