Not the bare outward act
Not that we are to imagine the performing the bare outward act will receive any blessing from God. Is it such a fast that I have chosen, says the Lord: a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Are these outward acts, however strictly performed, all that is meant by a man's afflicting his soul? Will you call this a fast and an acceptable day to the Lord? No surely. If it be a mere external service, it is all but lost labor. Such a performance may possibly afflict the body. But as to the soul it profits nothing (Isaiah 58:5).
1771 text
3. Not that we are to imagine, the performing the bare outward act, will receive any blessing from God. Is it such a fast that I have chosen, saith the Lord: a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Are these outward acts, however strictly performed, all that is meant by a man’s afflicting his soul? Wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? No surely. If it be a mere external service, it is all but lost labour. Such a performance may possibly afflict the body. But as to the soul it profiteth nothing.
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 27 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 6:16-18.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.