The ground of a Christian's joy
This is properly the ground of a Christian's joy. We may now therefore readily see how the one who has this testimony in himself rejoices evermore. My soul, he may say, magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. I rejoice in him who, of his own unmerited love, of his own free and tender mercy, has called me into this state of salvation, in which through his power I now stand. I rejoice because his Spirit bears witness to my spirit that I am bought with the blood of the Lamb, and that, believing in him, I am a member of Christ, a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven.
I rejoice because the sense of God's love to me has, by the same Spirit, worked in me to love him, and to love for his sake every child of man, every soul that he has made. I rejoice because he gives me to feel in myself the mind that was in Christ. That mind is simplicity, a single eye to him in every motion of my heart, power always to fix the loving eye of my soul on him who loved me and gave himself for me, to aim at him alone, at his glorious will, in all I think or speak or do. It is purity, desiring nothing more but God, crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts, and setting my affections on things above, not on things of the earth. It is holiness, a recovery of the image of God, a renewal of the soul after his likeness. And it is godly sincerity, directing all my words and works so as to serve his glory.
In this I likewise rejoice, yes, and will rejoice, because my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Ghost, by the light he continually pours in upon it, that I walk worthy of the calling with which I am called. I abstain from all appearance of evil, fleeing from sin as from the face of a serpent. As I have opportunity, I do all possible good, of every kind, to all people. I follow my Lord in all my steps, and I do what is acceptable in his sight.
I rejoice because I both see and feel, through the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit, that all my works are done in him, yes, and that it is he who works all my works in me. I rejoice in seeing, through the light of God which shines in my heart, that I have power to walk in his ways, and that through his grace I do not turn from them, to the right hand or to the left.
1771 text
16. This is properly the ground of a Christian’s joy. We may now therefore readily conceive, how he that hath this testimony in himself, rejoiceth evermore. My soul, may he say, doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoiceth in God my Saviour. I rejoice in him, who of his own unmerited love, of his own free and tender mercy, hath called me into this state of salvation, wherein thro’ his power I now stand. I rejoice because his Spirit beareth witness to my spirit, that I am bought with the blood of the Lamb, and that believing in him, “I am a member of Christ, a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven.” I rejoice because the sense of God’s love to me, hath by the same Spirit wrought in me to love him, and to love for his sake every child of man, every soul that he hath made. I rejoice, because he gives me to feel in myself the mind that was in Christ: simplicity, a single eye to him, in every motion of my heart; power always to fix the loving eye of my soul on him who loved me, and gave himself for me, to aim at him alone, at his glorious will, in all I think or speak or do: purity, desiring nothing more but God, crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts, setting my affections on things above, not on things of the earth: holiness, a recovery of the image of God, a renewal of soul after his likeness: and godly sincerity, directing all my words and works, so as to conduce to his glory. In this I likewise rejoice, yea and will rejoice, because my conscience beareth me witness in the Holy Ghost, by the light he continually pours in upon it, that I walk worthy of the vocation wherewith I am called: that I abstain from all appearance of evil, fleeing from sin as from the face of a serpent; that as I have opportunity, I do all possible good, in every kind, to all men; that I follow my Lord in all my steps, and do what is acceptable in his sight. I rejoice because I both see and feel, through the inspiration of God’s holy Spirit, that all my works are wrought in him, yea and that it is he who worketh all my works in me. I rejoice in seeing, thro’ the light of God which shines in my heart, that I have power to walk in his ways, and that thro’ his grace, I turn not therefrom, to the right hand or to the left.
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 12 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 1:12.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.