Drawn out by our own desire
The more any believer examines his own heart, the more he will be convinced of this. Faith working by love excludes both inward and outward sin from a soul watching toward prayer (1 Peter 4:7). Nevertheless we are, even then, liable to temptation, particularly to the sin that so easily beset us (Hebrews 12:1). If the loving eye of the soul is steadily fixed on God, the temptation soon vanishes. But if not, if we are drawn out of God by our own desire (James 1:14), as the apostle James speaks, and caught by the bait of present or promised pleasure, then that desire, conceived in us, brings forth sin (James 1:15). And having, by that inward sin, destroyed our faith, it casts us headlong into the snare of the devil (2 Timothy 2:26), so that we may commit any outward sin whatever.
1771 text
The more any believer examines his own heart, the more will he be convinced of this: that faith working by love, excludes both inward and outward sin from a soul watching unto prayer: that nevertheless we are even then liable to temptation, particularly to the sin that did easily beset us: that if the loving eye of the soul be steddily fixed on God, the temptation soon vanishes away: but if not, if we are ἐξελκόμενοι, (as the apostle James speaks) drawn out of God by our own desire, and δελεαζόμενοι, caught by the bait of present or promised pleasure: then that desire conceived in us, brings forth sin; and having by that inward sin destroyed our faith, it casts us headlong into the snare of the devil, so that we may commit any outward sin whatever.
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.