An evil report
And from this he hopes to reap another advantage: even to bring up an evil report of the good way. He knows how few are able to distinguish (and too many are not willing to do so) between the accidental abuse and the natural tendency of a doctrine. These therefore he will continually blend together, with regard to the doctrine of Christian perfection, in order to prejudice the minds of unwary men against the glorious promises of God. And how frequently, how generally, I had almost said, how universally has he prevailed in this? For who is there that observes any of these accidental ill effects of this doctrine, and does not immediately conclude this is its natural tendency? And does not readily cry out: See, these are the fruits (meaning the natural, necessary fruits) of such doctrine! Not so. They are fruits which may accidentally spring from the abuse of a great and precious truth. But the abuse of this, or any other scriptural doctrine, does by no means destroy its use. Neither can the unfaithfulness of man, perverting his right way, make the promise of God of no effect. No: let God be true and every man a liar (Romans 3:4). The word of the Lord shall stand (Isaiah 40:8). Faithful is he who has promised; he will also do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Let us then not be moved away from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23). Rather let us observe, which was the second thing proposed, how we may turn back these fiery darts of the wicked one (Ephesians 6:16), how we may rise the higher by what he intends as an occasion of our falling.
1771 text
14. *And from hence he hopes to reap another advantage, even to bring up an evil report of the good way. He is sensible, how few are able to distinguish (and too many are not willing so to do) between the accidental abuse and the natural tendency of a doctrine. These therefore, will he continually blend together, with regard to the doctrine of Christian perfection: in order to prejudice the minds of unwary men against the glorious promises of God. And how frequently, how generally, I had almost said, how universally has he prevailed herein? For who is there that observes any of these accidental ill effects of this doctrine, and does not immediately conclude, this is its natural tendency? And does not readily cry out, “See, these are the fruits (meaning the natural, necessary fruits) of such doctrine!” Not so. They are fruits which may accidentally spring from the abuse of a great and precious truth. But the abuse of this, or any other scriptural doctrine, does by no means destroy its use. Neither can the unfaithfulness of man, perverting his right way, make the promise of God of no effect. No: let God be true and every man a liar. The word of the Lord it shall stand. Faithful is he that hath promised: he also will do it. Let not us then be removed from the hope of the gospel. Rather let us observe, which was the second thing proposed, how we may retort these fiery darts of the wicked one: how we may rise the higher by what he intends for an occasion of our falling.
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.