Bitter fruit
And what fruits can grow on such branches as these? Only such as are bitter and evil continually. Of pride comes contention, vain boasting, seeking and receiving praise from men, and so robbing God of that glory which he cannot give to another. Of the lust of the flesh come gluttony or drunkenness, luxury or sensuality, fornication, uncleanness, variously defiling that body which was designed for a temple of the Holy Ghost. Of unbelief comes every evil word and work.
But the time would fail, should you reckon them all up. All the idle words you have spoken, provoking the Most High, grieving the Holy One of Israel. All the evil works you have done, either wholly evil in themselves, or at least not done to the glory of God. For your actual sins are more than you are able to express, more than the hairs of your head. Who can number the sands of the sea, or the drops of rain, or your iniquities?
1771 text
3. And what fruits can grow on such branches as these? Only such as are bitter and evil continually. Of pride cometh contention, vain boasting, seeking and receiving praise of men, and so robbing God of that glory which he cannot give unto another. Of the lust of the flesh come gluttony or drunkenness, luxury or sensuality: fornication, uncleanness, variously defiling that body, which was designed for a temple of the Holy Ghost: of unbelief, every evil word and work. But the time would fail, shouldst thou reckon up all; all the idle words thou hast spoken, provoking the Most High, grieving the Holy One of Israel: all the evil works thou hast done, either wholly evil in themselves, or at least, not done to the glory of God. For thy actual sins are more than thou art able to express, more than the hairs of thy head. Who can number the sands of the sea, or the drops of rain, or thy iniquities?
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 7 in the 1771 Works. Mark 1:15.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.