They say he abolished the law
But above all these, in the highest rank of the enemies of the gospel of Christ, are those who openly and explicitly judge the law itself and speak evil of the law, who teach people to break, to dissolve, to loose, to untie the obligation of, not one only, whether of the least or of the greatest, but all the commandments at a stroke. Who teach, without any cover, in so many words, What did our Lord do with the law? He abolished it. There is but one duty, which is that of believing. All commands are unfit for our times. From any demand of the law, no one is obliged now to go one step, to give away one penny, to eat or omit one morsel. This is indeed carrying matters with a high hand. This is withstanding our Lord to the face and telling him that he did not understand how to deliver the message on which he was sent. O Lord, do not lay this sin to their charge. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do (Luke 23:34).
1771 text
7. But above all these, in the highest rank of the enemies of the gospel of Christ, are they who openly and explicitly judge the law itself, and speak evil of the law: who teach men to break (λῦσαι· to dissolve, to loose, to untie the obligation of) not one only, whether of the least, or of the greatest, but all the commandments at a stroke: who teach, without any cover, in so many words, “What did our Lord do with the law? He abolished it.” “There is but one duty, which is that of believing.” “All commands are unfit for our times.” “From any demand of the law no man is obliged now to go one step, to give away one farthing, to eat or omit one morsel.” This is indeed carrying matters with a high hand. This is withstanding our Lord to the face, and telling him, that he understood not how to deliver the message on which he was sent. O Lord, lay not this sin to their charge! Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do!
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 25 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:17-20.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.