In sickness and pain
More especially in the time of sickness and pain, he will press this with all his might. Is it not the word of him who cannot lie, that without holiness no one shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)? But you are not holy. You know it well. You know holiness is the full image of God. And how far is this above, out of your sight? You cannot attain to it. Therefore all your labor has been in vain. All these things you have suffered in vain (Galatians 3:4). You have spent your strength for nothing (Isaiah 49:4). You are yet in your sins and must therefore perish at last. And thus, if your eye is not steadily fixed on him who has borne all your sins, he will bring you again under that fear of death by which you were so long subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:15), and by this means impair, if not wholly destroy, your peace as well as your joy in the Lord.
1771 text
4. More especially in the time of sickness and pain, he will press this with all his might. “Is it not the word of him that cannot lie, without holiness no man shall see the Lord? But you are not holy. You know it well; you know holiness is the full image of God. And how far is this above, out of your sight? You cannot attain unto it. Therefore all your labour has been in vain. All these things you have suffered in vain. You have spent your strength for nought. You are yet in your sins and must therefore perish at the last.” And thus, if your eye be not steadily fixt on him who hath borne all your sins, he will bring you again under that fear of death, whereby you was so long subject unto bondage: and by this means impair, if not wholly destroy, your peace as well as joy in the Lord.
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 42 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 2:11.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.