Do not fret over inward sin
Thirdly, is there no condemnation to those who walk after the Spirit, by reason of inward sin still remaining, so long as they do not give way to it, nor by reason of sin cleaving to all they do? Then do not fret yourself because of ungodliness, though it still remains in your heart. Do not complain because you still come short of the glorious image of God, nor yet because pride, self-will, or unbelief cleave to all your words and works.
And do not be afraid to know all the evil of your heart, to know yourself as you also are known. Yes, desire of God that you may not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Let your continual prayer be:
Show me, as my soul can bear, the depth of inbred sin. All the unbelief declare, the pride that lurks within.
But when he hears your prayer, and unveils your heart, when he shows you thoroughly what spirit you are of, then beware that your faith does not fail you, that you do not allow your shield to be torn from you. Be abased. Be humbled in the dust. See yourself nothing, less than nothing and vanity. But still, do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Still hold fast: I, even I, have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And as the heavens are higher than the earth, so is his love higher than even my sins.
Therefore God is merciful to you, a sinner. Such a sinner as you are. God is love, and Christ has died. Therefore the Father himself loves you. You are his child. Therefore he will withhold from you no manner of thing that is good.
Is it good that the whole body of sin, which is now crucified in you, should be destroyed? It shall be done. You shall be cleansed from all filthiness, both of flesh and spirit.
Is it good that nothing should remain in your heart but the pure love of God alone? Be of good cheer. You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, and mind, and soul, and strength. Faithful is he who has promised, who also will do it.
It is your part, patiently to continue in the work of faith, and in the labor of love, and in cheerful peace, in humble confidence, with calm and resigned, and yet earnest expectation, to wait until the zeal of the Lord of Hosts shall perform this.
1771 text
4. Thirdly, Is there no condemnation to them which walk after the Spirit, by reason of inward sin still remaining, so long as they do not give way thereto; nor by reason of sin cleaving to all they do? Then fret not thyself because of ungodliness, tho’ it still remain in thy heart. Repine not, because thou still comest short of the glorious image of God: nor yet, because pride, self-will, or unbelief, cleave to all thy words and works. And be not afraid to know all the evil of thy heart, to know thyself as also thou art known. Yea, desire of God, that thou mayst not think of thyself more highly than thou oughtest to think. Let thy continual prayer be,
“Shew me, as my soul can bear, The depth of inbred sin: All the unbelief declare, The pride that lurks within!”
But when he heareth thy prayer, and unveils thy heart, when he shews thee throughly what spirit thou art of: then beware that thy faith fail thee not, that thou suffer not thy shield to be torn from thee. Be abased. Be humbled in the dust. See thyself nothing, less than nothing and vanity. But still, let not thy heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Still hold fast, “I, even I, have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And as the heavens are higher than the earth, so is his love higher than even my sins.”――Therefore God is merciful to thee a sinner! Such a sinner as thou art! God is love; and Christ hath died. Therefore the Father himself loveth thee. Thou art his child. Therefore he will with-hold from thee no manner of thing that is good. Is it good, that the whole body of sin, which is now crucified in thee, should be destroyed? It shall be done. Thou shalt be cleansed from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit. Is it good that nothing should remain in thy heart, but the pure love of God alone? Be of good chear! Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart and mind and soul and strength. Faithful is he that hath promised, who also will do it. It is thy part, patiently to continue in the work of faith, and in the labour of love: and in chearful peace, in humble confidence, with calm and resigned, and yet earnest expectation, to wait till the zeal of the Lord of Hosts shall perform this.
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 8 in the 1771 Works. Romans 8:1.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.