Nearer than before
And if you thus taste of the good word and of the powers of the world to come (Hebrews 6:5), you will not murmur against God, because you are not yet fit for the inheritance of the saints in light (Colossians 1:12). Instead of repining at your not being wholly delivered, you will praise God for thus far delivering you. You will magnify God for what he has done, and take it as an earnest of what he will do (Ephesians 1:14). You will not fret against him, because you are not yet renewed, but bless him because you shall be, and because now your salvation from all sin is nearer than when you first believed (Romans 13:11). Instead of uselessly tormenting yourself because the time has not fully come, you will calmly and quietly wait for it, knowing that it will come and will not delay (Hebrews 10:37). You may therefore the more cheerfully endure as yet the burden of sin that still remains in you, because it will not always remain. Yet a little while and it shall be clean gone. Only wait upon the Lord's timing. Be strong, and he shall comfort your heart. Put your trust in the Lord (Psalm 27:14).
1771 text
5. And if you thus taste of the good word and of the powers of the world to come, you will not murmur against God, because you are not yet meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. Instead of repining at your not being wholly delivered, you will praise God for thus far delivering you. You will magnify God for what he hath done, and take it as an earnest of what he will do. You will not fret against him, because you are not yet renewed, but bless him because you shall be; and because now is your salvation from all sin, nearer than when you first believed. Instead of uselessly tormenting yourself because the time is not fully come, you will calmly and quietly wait for it, knowing that it will come and will not tarry. You may therefore the more chearfully endure as yet, the burden of sin that still remains in you, because it will not always remain. Yet a little while and it shall be clean gone. Only tarry thou the Lord’s leisure: be strong, and he shall comfort thy heart, and put thou thy trust 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.