I keep under my body
What less than this can we possibly infer from the words of Saint Paul cited above, who, living in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake, who, being full of signs and wonders and mighty deeds, who, having been caught up into the third heaven, yet reckoned, as a late author strongly expresses it, that all his virtues would be insecure, and even his salvation in danger, without this constant self-denial? "So run I," he says, "not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one who beats the air" (1 Corinthians 9:26). By this he plainly teaches us that he who does not thus run, who does not thus deny himself daily, does run uncertainly, and fights to as little purpose as he who beats the air.
1771 text
8. What less than this can we possibly infer from the above cited words of St. Paul? Who “living in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake, who being full of signs and wonders and mighty deeds, who having been caught up into the third heaven;” yet reckoned (as a late author strongly expresses it) that all his virtues would be unsecure, and even his salvation in danger, without this constant self-denial. So run I, says he, not as uncertainly, so fight I, not as one that beateth the air. By which he plainly teaches us, That he who does not thus run, who does not thus deny himself daily, does run uncertainly, and fighteth to as little purpose as he that beateth the air.
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 17 in the 1771 Works. Romans 2:29. Saint Mary's, Oxford, 1 January 1733.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.