Not a blind conscience
From what has gone before we may infer, second, that the joy of a Christian does not arise from any blindness of conscience, from his not being able to tell good from evil. Far from it. He was an utter stranger to this joy until the eyes of his understanding were opened. He did not know it until he had spiritual senses, fitted to discern spiritual good and evil. And now the eye of his soul does not grow dim. He was never so sharp-sighted before. He has so quick a perception of the smallest things as is quite amazing to the natural man. As a mote is visible in the sunbeam, so to the one who is walking in the light, in the beams of the uncreated Sun, every mote of sin is visible.
Nor does he close the eyes of his conscience any more. That sleep has left him. His soul is always wide awake. There is no more slumber, and no more folding of the hands to rest. He is always standing on the tower, and listening for what his Lord will say concerning him, and always rejoicing in this very thing, in seeing him who is invisible.
1771 text
18. From the preceding considerations, we may, secondly, infer, That the joy of a Christian does not arise from any blindness of conscience, from his not being able to discern good from evil. So far from it, that he was an utter stranger to this joy, till the eyes of his understanding were opened! That he knew it not, until he had spiritual senses, fitted to discern spiritual good and evil. And now the eye of his soul waxeth not dim. He was never so sharp-sighted before. He has so quick a perception of the smallest things, as is quite amazing to the natural man. As a mote is visible in the sun-beam, so to him who is walking in the light, in the beams of the uncreated Sun, every mote of sin is visible. Nor does he close the eyes of his conscience any more. That sleep is departed from him. His soul is always broad awake: no more slumber or folding of the hands to rest! He is always standing on the tower, and hearkning what his Lord will say concerning him: and always rejoicing in this very thing, in seeing him that is invisible.
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 12 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 1:12.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.