Night and darkness
Now those who sleep, sleep in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:7). The state of nature is a state of utter darkness, a state in which darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people (Isaiah 60:2). The poor unawakened sinner, however much he may know of other things, has no knowledge of himself. In this respect he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
He does not know that he is a fallen spirit, whose only business in the present world is to recover from his fall, to regain that image of God in which he was created. He sees no necessity for the one thing needful, even that inward universal change, that birth from above, which baptism figures. That birth is the beginning of that total renewal, that sanctification of spirit, soul, and body, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Full of all diseases as he is, he fancies himself in perfect health. Fast bound in misery and iron, he dreams that he is at liberty. He says, Peace, peace, while the devil, as a strong man armed, is in full possession of his soul. He sleeps on still, and takes his rest, though hell is moved from beneath to meet him, though the pit from which there is no return has opened its mouth to swallow him up. A fire is kindled around him, yet he does not know it. Yes, it burns him, yet he does not lay it to heart.
1771 text
2. Now they that sleep, sleep in the night. The state of nature is a state of utter darkness; a state wherein darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people. The poor unawakened sinner, how much knowledge soever he may have as to other things, has no knowledge of himself: in this respect, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. He knows not that he is a fallen spirit, whose only business in the present world, is to recover from his fall, to regain that image of God wherein he was created. He sees no necessity for the one thing needful, even that inward universal change, that birth from above (figured out by baptism) which is the beginning of that total renovation, that sanctification of spirit, soul and body, without which no man shall see the Lord.
3. Full of all diseases as he is, he fancies himself in perfect health: fast bound in misery and iron, he dreams that he is at liberty. He says, Peace, peace, while the devil, as a strong man armed, is in full possession of his soul. He sleeps on still, and takes his rest, tho’ hell is moved from beneath to meet him; tho’ the pit, from whence there is no return, hath opened its mouth to swallow him up: a fire is kindled around him, yet he knoweth it not; yea it burns him, yet he lays it not to heart.
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.