The honor that comes from man
A sure effect of our having formed this right judgment of the sinfulness and helplessness of our nature is a disregard of that honor which comes from man, the honor usually paid to some supposed excellence in us. He who knows himself neither desires nor values the applause which he knows he does not deserve. It is therefore a very small thing with him to be judged by man's judgment. He has all reason to think, by comparing what the world has said either for or against him with what he feels in his own breast, that the world, as well as the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), was a liar from the beginning (John 8:44).
And even as to those who are not of the world, though he would choose, if it were the will of God, that they should account him as one who desires to be found a faithful steward of his Lord's goods, if perhaps this might be a means of enabling him to be of more use to his fellow servants, yet, as this is the one end of his wishing for their approval, he does not rest upon it at all. For he is assured that whatever God wills, he can never lack instruments to perform it, since he is able, even of these stones, to raise up (Matthew 3:9) servants to do his pleasure.
1771 text
4. A sure effect of our having formed this right judgment, of the sinfulness and helplessness of our nature, is a disregard of that honour which cometh of man, which is usually paid to some supposed excellency in us. He who knows himself, neither desires nor values the applause which he knows he deserves not. It is therefore a very small thing with him, to be judged by man’s judgment. He has all reason to think, by comparing what it has said either for or against him, with what he feels in his own breast, that the world, as well as the God of this world, was a liar from the beginning. And even as to those who are not of the world, though he would chuse, if it were the will of God, that they should account of him as of one desirous to be found a faithful steward of his Lord’s goods, if haply this might be a means of enabling him to be of more use to his fellow-servants, yet as this is the one end of his wishing for their approbation, so he does not at all rest upon it. For he is assured, that whatever God wills, he can never want instruments to perform; since he is able, even of these stones, to raise up servants to do his pleasure.
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.