The salt of this place
Would to God I could except us of this place. Brothers, my heart's desire, and my prayer to God for you, is that you may be saved from this overflowing of ungodliness, and that here its proud waves may be stayed. But is it so indeed? God knows, yes, and our own conscience knows, it is not. You have not kept yourselves pure. Corrupt are we also, and abominable.
Few there are who understand any more. Few worship God in spirit and in truth. We too are a generation that has not set our hearts aright, and whose spirit does not cling steadfastly to God. He has appointed us indeed to be the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its savor, it is from then on good for nothing but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men.
1771 text
12. Would to God I could except us of this place. Brethren, my heart’s desire, and prayer to God for you is, that ye may be saved from this overflowing of ungodliness, and that here may its proud waves be stay’d! But is it so indeed? God knoweth, yea, and our own conscience, it is not. Ye have not kept yourselves pure. Corrupt are we also and abominable; and few are there that understand any more, few that worship God in spirit and in truth. We too are a generation that set not our hearts aright, and whose Spirit cleaveth not stedfastly unto God: He hath appointed us indeed to be the salt of the earth. But if the salt have lost its savour, it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
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 3 in the 1771 Works. Charles Wesley preached it at Oxford, 4 April 1742. Ephesians 5:14.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.