When zeal outran caution
Yet it is not strange if some of these, strongly convinced of that horrid profanation of the ordinances of God which had spread itself over the whole church, and had very nearly driven true religion out of the world, spoke, in their fervent zeal for the glory of God and the recovery of souls from that fatal delusion, as if outward religion were absolutely nothing, as if it had no place in the religion of Christ.
It is not surprising at all if they did not always express themselves with sufficient caution. Unwary hearers might then believe that they condemned all outward means as altogether unprofitable, and as not designed by God to be the ordinary channels of conveying his grace into the souls of men.
No, it is not impossible that some of these holy men did at length fall into this opinion themselves. In particular, this may have been so with those who, not by choice but by the providence of God, were cut off from all these ordinances. Perhaps they were wandering up and down, having no certain abiding place, or dwelling in dens and caves of the earth.
These, experiencing the grace of God in themselves, though they were deprived of all outward means, might infer that the same grace would be given to those who deliberately abstained from them.
1771 text
5. Yet it is not strange, if some of these, being strongly convinced, of that horrid profanation of the ordinances of God, which had spread itself over the whole church, and well nigh driven true religion out of the world; in their fervent zeal for the glory of God, and the recovery of souls from that fatal delusion, spake as if outward religion were absolutely nothing, as if it had no place in the religion of Christ. It is not surprising at all, if they should not always have expressed themselves with sufficient caution. So that unwary hearers may believe, they condemned all outward means, as altogether unprofitable; and as not designed of God to be the ordinary channels of conveying his grace into the souls of men.
Nay, it is not impossible, some of these holy men did at length themselves fall into this opinion: in particular, those who, not by choice, but by the providence of God, were cut off from all these ordinances: perhaps wandering up and down, having no certain abiding-place, or dwelling in dens and caves of the earth. These experiencing the grace of God in themselves, though they were deprived of all outward means, might infer, that the same grace would be given to them, who of set purpose abstained from them.
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 16 in the 1771 Works. Malachi 3:7.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.