A present salvation
Second. What salvation it is, that comes through this faith.
Whatever else it includes, it is a present salvation. It is something a person can reach on earth, and something believers do reach, here. The apostle says it to the believers at Ephesus, and in them to the believers of every age. He does not say, you will be saved, though that is also true. He says, you are saved, through faith.
You are saved, to put the whole of it in one word, from sin. This is the salvation that comes through faith. This is the great salvation the angel announced before God brought his firstborn into the world: you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Neither here, nor anywhere else in holy Scripture, is that promise cut down. All his people, all who believe in him, he will save from all their sins. From original sin and from actual sin. From past sin and from present sin. From sins of the flesh and sins of the spirit. Through faith in him they are saved both from the guilt of sin and from its power.
1872 text
What salvation it is, which is through this faith, is the Second thing to be considered.
1. And, First, whatsoever else it imply, it is a present salvation. It is something attainable, yea, actually attained, on earth, by those who are partakers of this faith. For thus saith the Apostle to the believers at Ephesus, and in them to the believers of all ages, not, Ye shall be (though that also is true), but, "Ye are saved through faith."
2. Ye are saved (to comprise all in one word) from sin. This is the salvation which is through faith. This is that great salvation foretold by the angel, before God brought his First-begotten into the world: "Thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins." And neither here, nor in other parts of holy writ, is there any limitation or restriction. All his people, or, as it is elsewhere expressed, "all that believe in him," he will save from all their sins; from original and actual, past and present sin, "of the flesh and of the spirit." Through faith that is in him, they are saved both from the guilt and from the power of it.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1872 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1872 panel is the public-domain sermon. Its disputed lines were checked against the University of Toronto scan of the forty-four sermons: a public robber, a common harlot, sons of perdition, the Romish delusion, and Popery.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 1. Saint Mary's, Oxford, 18 June 1738. Ephesians 2:8.
Witnesses
- Copy-text Salvation by Faith, 1872 wording (English · The whole sermon, divided to match the reading)
- Checked print Forty-four Sermons, University of Toronto scan (English · Checked the robber, harlot, perdition, Romish, and Popery lines)
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.