The kiss of Judas
The most surprising of all the circumstances that attend this strong delusion is that those who are given up to it really believe that they honor Christ by overthrowing his law, and that they are magnifying his office while they are destroying his doctrine. Yes, they honor him just as Judas did when he said, Hail, Master, and kissed him (Matthew 26:49). And he may as justly say to every one of them, Do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss (Luke 22:48)? It is nothing other than betraying him with a kiss to talk of his blood and take away his crown, to make light of any part of his law under pretense of advancing his gospel. Nor indeed can anyone escape this charge who preaches faith in any such manner as either directly or indirectly tends to set aside any branch of obedience, who preaches Christ so as to annul, or weaken in any way, the least of the commandments of God.
1771 text
8. The most surprizing of all the circumstances, that attend this strong delusion, is that they who are given up to it really believe, that they honour Christ, by overthrowing his law, and that they are magnifying his office, while they are destroying his doctrine! Yea, they honour him just as Judas did, when he said, Hail, Master, and kissed him. And he may as justly say, to every one of them, Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? It is no other than betraying him with a kiss, to talk of his blood and take away his crown: to set light by any part of his law, under pretence of advancing his gospel. Nor indeed can any one escape this charge, who preaches faith in any such manner, as either directly or indirectly tends, to set aside any branch of obedience: who preaches Christ so as to disannul, or weaken in any wise the least of the commandments of God.
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.