Not in outward actions
The nature of religion is so far from consisting in these, in forms of worship, or rites and ceremonies, that it does not properly consist in any outward actions, of whatever kind. It is true, a man cannot have any religion who is guilty of vicious, immoral actions, or who does to others what he would not want them to do to him, if he were in the same circumstance. And it is also true that he can have no real religion who knows to do good, and does it not. Yet a man may both abstain from outward evil, and do good, and still have no religion.
Yes, two persons may do the same outward work. Suppose it is feeding the hungry, or clothing the naked. In the meantime, one of these may be truly religious, and the other have no religion at all. For the one may act from the love of God, and the other from the love of praise. So plain it is, that although true religion naturally leads to every good word and work, yet the real nature of it lies deeper still, even in the hidden man of the heart.
1771 text
5. The nature of religion is so far from consisting in these, in forms of worship, or rites and ceremonies, that it does not properly consist in any outward actions, of what kind soever. It is true, a man cannot have any religion, who is guilty of vicious, immoral actions; or who does to others, what he would not they should do to him, if he were in the same circumstance. And it is also true, that he can have no real religion, who knows to do good, and doth it not. Yet may a man both abstain from outward evil, and do good, and still have no religion. Yea, two persons may do the same outward work, suppose, feeding the hungry, or cloathing the naked: and, mean time, one of these may be truly religious, and the other have no religion at all: for the one may act from the love of God, and the other from the love of praise. So manifest it is; that altho’ true religion naturally leads to every good word and work, yet the real nature thereof lies deeper still, even in the hidden man of the heart.
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 7 in the 1771 Works. Mark 1:15.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.