The other extreme
Who can then be surprised if many reasonable men, seeing the dreadful effects of this delusion, and laboring to keep at the farthest distance from it, should sometimes lean toward another extreme? If they are not ready to believe anyone who speaks of having this witness, concerning which others have erred so grievously? If they are almost ready to set down as enthusiasts all who use the expressions which have been so terribly abused?
Yes, if they should question whether the witness or testimony spoken of here is the privilege of ordinary Christians, and not rather one of those extraordinary gifts which they suppose belonged only to the apostolic age.
1771 text
2. Who can then be surprized, if many reasonable men, seeing the dreadful effects of this delusion, and labouring to keep at the utmost distance from it, should sometimes lean toward another extreme? If they are not forward to believe any who speak of having this witness, concerning which others have so grievously erred? If they are almost ready, to set all down for Enthusiasts, who use the expressions which have been so terribly abused. Yea, if they should question, whether the witness or testimony here spoken of, be the privilege of ordinary Christians, and not rather, one of those extraordinary gifts, which they suppose belonged only to the apostolic age.
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 10 in the 1771 Works. Romans 8:16. The first discourse on the witness of the Spirit.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.