Who judges the law
Who are you then, O man, that judge the law, and speak evil of the law? That rank it with sin, Satan and death, and send them all to hell together! The apostle James esteemed judging or speaking evil of the law (James 4:11), so enormous a piece of wickedness, that he did not know how to aggravate the guilt of judging our brethren, more than by showing it included this. So now, says he, you are not a doer of the law but a judge! A judge of that which God has ordained to judge you. So you have set up yourself in the judgment-seat of Christ, and cast down the rule whereby he will judge the world! O take knowledge what advantage Satan has gained over you; and for the time to come never think or speak lightly of, much less dress up as a scare-crow this blessed instrument of the grace of God. Yes, love and value it for the sake of him from whom it came, and of him to whom it leads. Let it be your glory and joy, next to the cross of Christ. Declare its praise, and make it honorable before all men.
1771 text
8. *Who art thou then, O man, that judgest the law, and speakest evil of the law? That rankest it with sin, Satan and death, and sendest them all to hell together! The apostle James esteemed judging or speaking evil of the law, so enormous a piece of wickedness, that he knew not how to aggravate the guilt of judging our brethren, more than by shewing it included this. So now, says he, thou art not a doer of the law but a judge! A judge of that which God hath ordained to judge thee. So thou hast set up thyself in the judgment-seat of Christ, and cast down the rule whereby he will judge the world! O take knowledge what advantage Satan hath gained over thee; and for the time to come never think or speak lightly of, much less dress up as a scare-crow this blessed instrument of the grace of God. Yea, love and value it for the sake of him from whom it came, and of him to whom it leads. Let it be thy glory and joy, next to the cross of Christ. Declare its praise, and make it honourable before all men.
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 34 in the 1771 Works. Romans 7:12.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.