Turn the dart back
And first, does Satan endeavor to damp your joy in the Lord, by the consideration of your sinfulness, added to this, that without entire, universal holiness no one can see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)? You may cast back this dart upon his own head, while through the grace of God, the more you feel of your own vileness, the more you rejoice in confident hope that all this shall be done away. While you hold fast this hope, every evil temper you feel, though you hate it with a perfect hatred (Psalm 139:22), may be a means, not of lessening your humble joy, but rather of increasing it. This and this, you may say, shall likewise perish from the presence of the Lord. Just as wax melts at the fire, so shall this melt away before his face (Psalm 68:2). By this means, the greater that change is which remains to be wrought in your soul, the more you may triumph in the Lord and rejoice in the God of your salvation (Habakkuk 3:18), who has done such great things for you already, and will do so much greater things than these (John 1:50).
1771 text
II. 1. And, first, does Satan endeavour to damp your joy in the Lord, by the consideration of your sinfulness, added to this, that without entire, universal holiness no man can see the Lord? You may cast back this dart upon his own head, while through the grace of God, the more you feel of your own vileness, the more you rejoice in confident hope, that all this shall be done away. While you hold fast this hope, every evil temper you feel, though you hate it with a perfect hatred, may be a means, not of lessening your humble joy, but rather of increasing it. “This and this, may you say, shall likewise perish from the presence of the Lord. Like as the wax melteth at the fire, so shall this melt away before his face.” By this means the greater that change is, which remains to be wrought in your soul, the more may you triumph in the Lord and rejoice in the God of your salvation: who hath done so great things for you already, and will do so much greater things than these.
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.