How easily the notion spreads
And experience shows how easily this notion spreads, and insinuates itself into the minds of men, especially of those who are thoroughly awakened out of the sleep of death, and begin to feel the weight of their sins, a burden too heavy to be borne.
These are usually impatient of their present state, and they try every way to escape from it. They are always ready to catch at any new thing, any new proposal of ease or happiness. They have probably tried most outward means, and found no ease in them. It may be they have found more and more of remorse, and fear, and sorrow, and condemnation.
It is easy, therefore, to persuade these that it is better for them to abstain from all those means. They are already weary of striving, as it seems, in vain, of laboring in the fire. They are therefore glad of any pretense to cast aside that in which their soul has no pleasure, to give over the painful strife, and to sink down into an indolent inactivity.
1771 text
6. And experience shews, how easily this notion spreads, and insinuates itself into the minds of men: especially of those who are throughly awakened out of the sleep of death, and begin to feel the weight of their sins, a burthen too heavy to be borne. These are usually impatient of their present state, and trying every way to escape from it. They are always ready to catch at any new thing, any new proposal of ease or happiness. They have probably tried most outward means, and found no ease in them: it may be, more and more of remorse and fear and sorrow and condemnation. It is easy therefore to persuade these, that it is better for them to abstain from all those means. They are already weary of striving (as it seems) in vain, of labouring in the fire: and are therefore glad of any pretence to cast aside that, wherein their soul has no pleasure; to give over the painful strife, and sink down into an indolent inactivity.
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.