Fruits in their hearers
You may easily observe, secondly, What are the fruits of their doctrine as to those who hear them? In many, at least, though not in all: for the apostles themselves did not convert all who heard them. Have these the mind that was in Christ? And do they walk as he also walked (1 John 2:6)? And was it by hearing these men that they began so to do? Were they inwardly and outwardly wicked until they heard them? If so, it is a manifest proof that those are true prophets, teachers sent by God. But if it is not so, if they do not effectually teach either themselves or others to love and serve God, it is a manifest proof that they are false prophets, that God has not sent them.
1771 text
3. You may easily observe, secondly, What are the fruits of their doctrine, as to those that hear them? In many, at least, tho’ not in all: for the apostles themselves did not convert all that heard them. Have these the mind that was in Christ? And do they walk as he also walked? And was it by hearing these men, that they began so to do? Were they inwardly and outwardly wicked, till they heard them? If so, it is a manifest proof, that those are true prophets, teachers sent of God. But if it is not so, if they do not effectually teach either themselves or others to love and serve God; it is a manifest proof, that they are false prophets; that God hath not sent them.
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 32 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 7:15-20.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.