You who are in authority
In the fear, then, and in the presence of the great God, before whom both you and I shall shortly appear, I pray you who are in authority over us, whom I reverence for your office's sake, to consider, and not after the manner of dissemblers with God. Are you filled with the Holy Ghost? Are you lively portraits of him whom you are appointed to represent among men? I have said, You are gods, you magistrates and rulers. You are by office so nearly allied to the God of heaven. In your several stations and degrees, you are to show forth to us the Lord our governor.
Are all the thoughts of your hearts, all your tempers and desires, suitable to your high calling? Are all your words like those which come out of the mouth of God? Is there in all your actions dignity and love, a greatness which words cannot express, which can flow only from a heart full of God, and yet consistent with the character of man, who is a worm, and the son of man, who is a worm?
1771 text
5. In the fear then, and in the presence of the great God, before whom both you and I shall shortly appear, I pray you that are in authority over us, whom I reverence for your office sake, to consider, (and not after the manner of dissemblers with God) Are you filled with the Holy Ghost? Are ye lively portraitures of him, whom ye are appointed to represent among men? I have said, ye are Gods, ye magistrates and rulers; ye are by office so nearly allied to the God of heaven! In your several stations and degrees, ye are to shew forth unto us the Lord our governor. Are all the thoughts of your hearts, all your tempers and desires, suitable to your high calling? Are all your words like unto those which come out of the mouth of God? Is there in all your actions dignity and love? A greatness which words cannot express, which can flow only from an heart full of God――and yet consistent with the character of man that is a worm, and the son of man that is a worm!
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 4 in the 1771 Works. Saint Mary's, Oxford, 24 August 1744. Acts 4:31.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.