Purple and fine linen
From the same ignorance of himself and of God there may sometimes arise, in the natural man, a kind of joy, in congratulating himself upon his own wisdom and goodness. And what the world calls joy he may often possess. He may have pleasure in various kinds, either in gratifying the desires of the flesh, or the desire of the eye, or the pride of life, particularly if he has large possessions, if he enjoys an affluent fortune. Then he may clothe himself in purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day. And so long as he thus does well to himself, men will doubtless speak good of him. They will say, He is a happy man. For indeed this is the sum of worldly happiness: to dress, and visit, and talk, and eat, and drink, and rise up to play.
1771 text
5. From the same ignorance of himself and God there may sometimes arise in the natural man a kind of joy, in congratulating himself, upon his own wisdom and goodness. And what the world calls joy, he may often possess. He may have pleasure in various kinds; either in gratifying the desires of the flesh, or the desire of the eye, or the pride of life: particularly if he has large possessions; if he enjoy an affluent fortune. Then he may cloath himself in purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day. And so long as he thus doth well unto himself, men will doubtless speak good of him. They will say, he is a happy man: for indeed this is the sum of worldly happiness: to dress, and visit, and talk, and eat, and drink, and rise up to play.
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 9 in the 1771 Works. Romans 8:15.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.