No other foundation than Jesus Christ
But whoever desires to have a conscience thus void of offense, let him see that he lays the right foundation. Let him remember that no one can lay any other foundation for this than that which is laid, even Jesus Christ. And let him also remember that no one builds on him except by a living faith, and that no one is a partaker of Christ until he can clearly testify, The life which I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, in him who is now revealed in my heart, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Faith alone is that evidence, that conviction, that demonstration of things invisible, by which, the eyes of our understanding being opened and divine light poured in upon them, we see the wondrous things of God's law, its excellency and its purity, its height and depth and length and breadth, and of every commandment contained in it. It is by faith that, beholding the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, we perceive, as in a mirror, all that is in ourselves, yes, the inmost motions of our souls. And by this alone can that blessed love of God be shed abroad in our hearts, which enables us to love one another as Christ loved us.
By this is that gracious promise fulfilled to all the Israel of God: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them, or engrave them, in their hearts. Hebrews 8:10. By this he produces in their souls an entire agreement with his holy and perfect law, and brings into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
And as an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit, so a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. As the heart of a believer, so likewise his life, is thoroughly conformed to the rule of God's commandments. Conscious of that, he can give glory to God and say with the apostle, This is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have lived our manner of life in the world.
1771 text
8. But whoever desires to have a conscience thus void of offence, let him see that he lay the right foundation. Let him remember, other foundation of this can no man lay, than that which is laid, even Jesus Christ. And let him also be mindful, that no man buildeth on him but by a living faith; that no man is a partaker of Christ, until he can clearly testify, The life which I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God; in him who is now revealed in my heart; who loved me, and gave himself for me. Faith alone is that evidence, that conviction, that demonstration of things invisible, whereby the eyes of our understanding being opened, and divine light poured in upon them, we see the wondrous things of God’s law, the excellency and purity of it; the height and depth and length and breadth thereof, and of every commandment contained therein. It is by faith, that beholding the light of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ, we perceive, as in a glass, all that is in ourselves, yea, the inmost motions of our souls. And by this alone can that blessed love of God be shed abroad in our hearts, which enables us so to love one another as Christ loved us. By this, is that gracious promise fulfilled, unto all the Israel of God, I will put my laws into their minds, and write (or engrave) them in their hearts, Heb. viii. 10. Hereby producing in their souls, an entire agreement with his holy and perfect law, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
And as an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit, so a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. As the heart therefore of a believer, so likewise his life is thoroughly conformed to the rule of God’s commandments. In a consciousness whereof, he can give glory to God, and say, with the apostle, This is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world.
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.