This voice is the voice of God
To come yet closer. Suppose God were now to speak to any soul, Your sins are forgiven you. He must be willing that the soul should know his voice, otherwise he would speak in vain. And he is able to effect this, for whenever he wills, to do is present with him. And he does effect it. That soul is absolutely assured, This voice is the voice of God.
But yet the one who has that witness in himself cannot explain it to one who does not have it. Nor indeed is it to be expected that he should. Were there any natural means to prove, or natural method to explain, the things of God to inexperienced men, then the natural man might discern and know the things of the Spirit of God. But this is utterly contrary to the assertion of the apostle, that he cannot know them, because they are spiritually discerned, even by spiritual senses which the natural man does not have.
1771 text
11. To come yet closer. Suppose God were now to speak to any soul, “Thy sins are forgiven thee.” He must be willing, that soul should know his voice; otherwise he would speak in vain. And he is able to effect this; for whenever he wills, to do is present with him. And he does effect it. That soul is absolutely assured, “This voice is the voice of God.” But yet he who hath that witness in himself, cannot explain it to one who hath not. Nor indeed is it to be expected that he should. Were there any natural medium to prove, or natural method to explain the things of God, to unexperienced men; then the natural man might discern and know the things of the Spirit of God. But this is utterly contrary to the assertion of the apostle, that he cannot know them; because they are spiritually discerned; even by spiritual senses, which the natural man hath not.
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 10 in the 1771 Works. Romans 8:16. The first discourse on the witness of the Spirit.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.