Weakness and infirmities
Fourthly, if those who are in Christ, and walk after the Spirit, are not condemned for sins of infirmity, as neither for involuntary failings, nor for anything whatever which they are not able to help, then beware, O you who have faith in his blood, that Satan herein gain no advantage over you.
You are still foolish and weak, blind and ignorant, weaker than any words can express, more foolish than it can yet enter into your heart to conceive, knowing nothing yet as you ought to know. Yet do not let all your weakness and folly, or any fruit of it which you are not yet able to avoid, shake your faith, your trust in God as his child, or disturb your peace or joy in the Lord.
The rule which some give as to willful sins, and which in that case may perhaps be dangerous, is undoubtedly wise and safe if it is applied only to the case of weakness and infirmities.
Have you fallen, O man of God? Yet do not lie there, fretting yourself and bemoaning your weakness. But meekly say, Lord, I shall fall thus every moment, unless you uphold me with your hand. And then arise. Leap and walk. Go on your way, and run with patience the race set before you.
1771 text
5. Fourthly, If they that are in Christ, and walk after the Spirit, are not condemned for sins of infirmity, as neither for involuntary failings, nor for any thing whatever which they are not able to help: then beware, O thou that hast faith in his blood, that Satan herein gain no advantage over thee. Thou art still foolish and weak, blind and ignorant: more weak than any words can express, more foolish than it can yet enter into thy heart to conceive, knowing nothing yet as thou oughtest to know. Yet let not all thy weakness and folly, or any fruit thereof, which thou art not yet able to avoid, shake thy faith, thy filial trust in God, or disturb thy peace or joy in the Lord. The rule which some give as to wilful sins, and which in that case, may perhaps be dangerous, is undoubtedly wise and safe, if it be applied only to the case of weakness and infirmities. Art thou fallen, O man of God? Yet do not lie there, fretting thyself and bemoaning thy weakness: But meekly say, Lord, I shall fall thus every moment, unless thou uphold me with thy hand. And then arise! Leap and walk. Go on thy way. Run with patience the race set before thee.
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.