If the watchmen fall
To warn mankind of this, to guard as many as possible against this spreading contagion, God has commanded his watchmen to cry aloud and show the people the danger they are in (Isaiah 58:1). For this end he has sent his servants the prophets, in their succeeding generations, to point out the narrow path and exhort all men not to be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2). But what if the watchmen themselves fall into the snare against which they should warn others? What if the prophets prophesy deceits? If they cause the people to err from the way? What shall be done if they point out as the way to eternal life what is in truth the way to eternal death? And exhort others to walk, as they do themselves, in the broad, not the narrow way?
1771 text
2. To warn mankind of this, to guard as many as possible against this spreading contagion, God has commanded his watchmen to cry aloud, and shew the people the danger they are in. For this end he has sent his servants the prophets, in their succeeding generations, to point out the narrow path, and exhort all men, not to be conformed to this world. But what if the watchmen themselves fall into the snare, against which they should warn others? What if the prophets prophesy deceits? If they cause the people to err from the way? What shall be done, if they point out as the way to eternal life, what is in truth the way to eternal death? And exhort others to walk, as they do themselves, in the broad, not the narrow way?
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.