Power over sin
An immediate and constant fruit of this faith, by which we are born of God, a fruit which can in no way be separated from it, no, not for an hour, is power over sin. Power over outward sin of every kind, over every evil word and work. For wherever the blood of Christ is thus applied, it purges the conscience from dead works (Hebrews 9:14). And power over inward sin, for it purifies the heart from every unholy desire (Acts 15:9) and temper.
Saint Paul has largely described this fruit of faith in the sixth chapter of his letter to the Romans (Romans 6). "How shall we," he says, "who by faith are dead to sin, live any longer in it (Romans 6:2)? Our old man is crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed (Romans 6:6), so that from now on we should not serve sin."
"Likewise, reckon yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God (Romans 6:11), through Jesus Christ our Lord. Do not let sin therefore reign, even in your mortal body (Romans 6:12), but yield yourselves to God, as those who are alive from the dead (Romans 6:13). For sin shall not have dominion over you" (Romans 6:14).
"God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin (Romans 6:17), but, being made free." The plain meaning is this. God be thanked that, though you were in time past the servants of sin, yet now, being free from sin, you have become the servants of righteousness (Romans 6:18).
1771 text
4. An immediate and constant fruit of this faith, whereby we are born of God, a fruit which can in no wise be separated from it, no not for an hour, is power over sin: power over outward sin, of every kind; over every evil word and work; for wheresoever the blood of Christ is thus applied, it purgeth the conscience from dead works: and over inward sin; for it purifieth the heart from every unholy desire and temper. This fruit of faith, St. Paul has largely described, in the sixth chapter of his epistle to the Romans. How shall we (saith he) who by faith are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Our old man is crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.――Likewise reckon ye yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.――Let not sin therefore reign, even in your mortal body, but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead. For sin shall not have dominion over you.――God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin――but being made free――the plain meaning is, God be thanked, that though ye were in time past the servants of sin, yet now being free from sin, ye are become the servants of righteousness.
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 18 in the 1771 Works. John 3:8.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.