Where heathen morality ends
One cannot help observing here that Christianity begins just where heathen morality ends. Poverty of spirit, conviction of sin, the renouncing of ourselves, the not having a righteousness of our own, the very first point in the religion of Jesus Christ, leaves all pagan religion behind. This was always hidden from the wise people of this world, so much so that the whole Roman language, even with all the improvements of the Augustan age, does not afford so much as a name for humility. The word from which we borrow this one, as is well known, bears a quite different meaning in Latin. No, nor was one found in all the rich language of Greece, until it was made by the great apostle.
1771 text
9. One cannot but observe here, that Christianity begins, just where Heathen morality ends: poverty of spirit, conviction of sin, the renouncing ourselves, the not having our own righteousness, the very first point in the religion of Jesus Christ, leaving all Pagan religion behind. This was ever hid from the wise men of this world: insomuch that the whole Roman language, even with all the improvements of the Augustan age, does not afford so much as a name for humility: (the word from whence we borrow this, is as well known, bearing in Latin a quite different meaning:) no, nor was one found in all the copious language of Greece, ’till it was made by the great apostle.
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 21 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:1-4.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.