Whose praise is not of men, but of God
That circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; that the distinguishing mark of a true follower of Christ, of one who is in a state of acceptance with God, is not outward circumcision, or baptism, or any other outward form, but a right state of soul, a mind and spirit renewed after the image of him who created it: this is one of those important truths that can only be spiritually discerned. And this the apostle himself intimates in the next words, whose praise is not of men, but of God (Romans 2:29).
As if he had said, "Do not expect, whoever you are, who thus follow your great Master, that the world, the men who do not follow him, will say, Well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21). Know that the circumcision of the heart, the seal of your calling, is foolishness with the world. Be content to wait for your applause until the day of your Lord's appearing. In that day you shall have praise of God, in the great assembly of men and angels."
1771 text
3. That circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit and not in the letter; that the distinguishing mark of a true follower of Christ, of one who is in a state of acceptance with God, is not either outward circumcision or baptism, or any other outward form, but a right state of soul, a mind and spirit renewed after the image of him that created it, is one of those important truths, that can only be spiritually discerned. And this the apostle himself intimates in the next words, whose praise is not of men, but of God. As if he had said, “Expect not, whoever thou art, who thus followest thy great Master, that the world, the men who follow him not, will say, well done, good and faithful servant! Know that the circumcision of the heart, the seal of thy calling, is foolishness with the world. Be content to wait for thy applause, ’till the day of thy Lord’s appearing. In that day shalt thou have praise of God, in the great assembly of men and angels.”
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 17 in the 1771 Works. Romans 2:29. Saint Mary's, Oxford, 1 January 1733.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.