In the midst of the invisible world
Hence he has scarce any knowledge of the invisible world, as he has scarce any intercourse with it. Not that it is far off. No. He is in the midst of it. It encompasses him round about. The other world, as we usually call it, is not far from every one of us (Acts 17:27). It is above, and beneath, and on every side. Only the natural man does not discern it (1 Corinthians 2:14). Partly because he has no spiritual senses, by which alone we can discern the things of God. Partly because so thick a veil is interposed that he does not know how to penetrate it.
1771 text
7. Hence he has scarce any knowledge of the invisible world, as he has scarce any intercourse with it. Not that it is afar off. No: he is in the midst of it: it incompasses him round about. The other world, as we usually term it, is not far from every one of us. It is above, and beneath, and on every side. Only the natural man discerneth it not; partly, because he has no spiritual senses, whereby alone we can discern the things of God; partly, because so thick a veil is interposed, as he knows not how to penetrate.
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 19 in the 1771 Works. First John 3:9.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.