Commerce with the world
Much more the words of our Lord, who is so far from directing us to break off all commerce with the world that, without it, according to his account of Christianity, we cannot be Christians at all. It would be easy to show that some intercourse even with ungodly and unholy people is absolutely necessary for the full exercise of every temper which he has described as the way to the kingdom. It is indispensably necessary for the complete exercise of poverty of spirit, of mourning, and of every other disposition which has a place here in the genuine religion of Jesus Christ. Yes, it is necessary to the very being of several of them. Of that meekness, for example, which, instead of demanding an eye for an eye, or a tooth for a tooth (Matthew 5:38), does not resist evil, but causes us rather, when struck on the right cheek, to turn the other also (Matthew 5:39). Of that mercy by which we love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us (Matthew 5:44), and pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us. And of that mingling of love and all holy tempers which is exercised in suffering for righteousness' sake. Now all these, it is clear, could have no being if we were to have no commerce with any but real Christians.
1771 text
6. Much more the words of our Lord: who is so far from directing us, to break off all commerce with the world, that without it, according to his account of Christianity, we cannot be Christians at all. *It would be easy to shew, that some intercourse even with ungodly and unholy men, is absolutely needful in order to the full exertion of every temper, which he has described as the way to the kingdom: that it is indispensably necessary in order to the compleat exercise of poverty of spirit, of mourning, and of every other disposition which has a place here, in the genuine religion of Jesus Christ. Yea, it is necessary to the very being of several of them; of that meekness, for example, which instead of demanding an eye for an eye, or a tooth for a tooth, doth not resist evil; but causes us rather, when smitten on the right cheek, to turn the other also: of that mercifulness, whereby we love our enemies, bless them that curse us, do good to them that hate us, and pray for them which despitefully use us and persecute us: and of that complication of love and all holy tempers, which is exercised in suffering for righteousness sake. Now all these, it is clear, could have no being, were we to have no commerce with any but real Christians.
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 24 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:13-16.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.