Foolishness with the world
But all this wisdom of God is foolishness with the world. The whole affair of mourning and poverty of spirit is, to them, stupidity and dullness. Indeed, it is well if they pass so favorable a judgment on it, if they do not vote it mere moping and melancholy, if not downright madness and distraction. And it is no wonder at all that this judgment should be passed by those who do not know God. Suppose that, as two people were walking together, one should suddenly stop, and with the strongest signs of fear and amazement cry out, On what a precipice we stand. See, we are on the point of being dashed in pieces. Another step, and we fall into that huge abyss. Stop. I will not go on for all the world. When the other, who seemed to himself at least equally sharp-sighted, looked forward and saw nothing of all this, what would he think of his companion, but that he was beside himself, that his head was out of order, that much religion, if he was not guilty of much learning, had certainly made him mad.
1771 text
7. But all this wisdom of God is foolishness with the world. The whole affair of mourning and poverty of spirit, is with them stupidity and dullness. Nay ’tis well if they pass so favourable a judgment upon it; if they do not vote it to be mere moping and melancholy, if not downright lunacy and distraction. And it is no wonder at all, that this judgment should be passed, by those who know not God. Suppose as two persons were walking together, one should suddenly stop, and with the strongest signs of fear and amazement, cry out, “On what a precipice do we stand! See, we are on the point of being dashed in pieces! Another step, and we fall into that huge abyss. Stop! I will not go on for all the world.” When the other, who seemed to himself at least equally sharp-sighted, looked forward and saw nothing of all this; what would he think of his companion? But that he was beside himself; that his head was out of order: that much religion (if he was not guilty of much learning) had certainly made him mad.
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.
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