When surprise is no excuse
But if so, then there may be some sins of surprise which bring much guilt and condemnation. For in some instances, our being surprised is owing to some willful and culpable neglect, or to a sleepiness of soul which might have been prevented, or shaken off, before the temptation came.
A man may be warned beforehand, either by God or by man, that trials and danger are at hand, and yet may say in his heart, A little more slumber, a little more folding of the hands to rest. Now if such a one afterward falls, though unawares, into the snare which he might have avoided, that he fell unawares is no excuse. He might have foreseen, and have shunned, the danger.
The falling, even by surprise, in such an instance as this, is in effect a willful sin. And as such, it must expose the sinner to condemnation, both from God and from his own conscience.
1771 text
13. But if so, then there may be some sins of surprize, which bring much guilt and condemnation. For in some instances, our being surprized is owing to some wilful and culpable neglect; or to a sleepiness of soul which might have been prevented, or shaken off before the temptation came. A man may be previously warned either of God or man, that trials and danger are at hand: and yet may say in his heart, A little more slumber, a little more folding of the hands to rest. Now if such an one afterwards fall, tho’ unawares, into the snare which he might have avoided; that he fell unawares is no excuse: he might have foreseen, and have shuned the danger. The falling even by surprize, in such an instance as this, is, in effect, a wilful sin; and as such must expose the sinner to condemnation, both from God and his own conscience.
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 8 in the 1771 Works. Romans 8:1.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.