Not worldly sorrow
Not that we can imagine this promise belongs to those who mourn only on some worldly account, who are in sorrow and heaviness merely because of some worldly trouble or disappointment, such as the loss of their reputation, or of their friends, or the damaging of their fortune. Just as little claim to it have those who are afflicting themselves through fear of some temporal evil, or who pine away with anxious care, or with that desire for earthly things which makes the heart sick. Let us not think that these shall receive anything from the Lord. He is not in all their thoughts. That is why they walk in a vain shadow, and trouble themselves in vain. And this you shall have from my hand, says the Lord: you shall lie down in sorrow (Isaiah 50:11).
1771 text
2. Not that we can imagine this promise belongs to those, who mourn only on some worldly account: who are in sorrow and heaviness, merely on account of some worldly trouble or disappointment; such as the loss of their reputation, or friends; or the impairing of their fortune. As little title to it have they who are afflicting themselves, through fear of some temporal evil: or who pine away with anxious care, or that desire of earthly things which maketh the heart sick. Let us not think, these shall receive any thing from the Lord: he is not in all their thoughts. Therefore it is that they thus walk in a vain shadow, and disquiet themselves in vain. And this shall ye have of mine hand, saith the Lord, ye shall lie down in sorrow.
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 21 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:1-4.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.