The scandal of the cross
Indeed, some have supposed that before the fullness of the Gentiles (Romans 11:25) comes in, the scandal of the cross (Galatians 5:11) will cease, that God will cause Christians to be esteemed and loved even by those who are still in their sins. Yes, and it is sure that even now he sometimes suspends the contempt as well as the fierceness of people. He makes a person's enemies be at peace with him for a season, and gives him favor with his bitterest persecutors. But setting aside this exceptional case, the scandal of the cross (Galatians 5:11) has not yet ceased. A person may still say, If I please people, I am not the servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10). Let no one, therefore, regard that pleasing suggestion, pleasing no doubt to flesh and blood, that bad people only pretend to hate and despise those who are good, but do indeed love and esteem them in their hearts. Not so. They may employ them sometimes, but it is for their own profit. They may put confidence in them, for they know their ways are not like other people's. But still they do not love them, unless so far as the Spirit of God may be striving with them. Our Savior's words are express. If you were of the world, the world would love its own (John 15:19). But because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you (John 15:19). Yes, setting aside what exceptions may be made by the grace that goes before, or by the peculiar providence of God, it hates them as heartily and sincerely as it ever hated their Master.
1771 text
8. Indeed some have supposed, that before the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in, the scandal of the cross will cease: that God will cause Christians to be esteemed and loved, even by those who are as yet in their sins. Yea, and sure it is, that even now, he at sometimes suspends the contempt as well as the fierceness of men: he makes a man’s enemies to be at peace with him for a season, and gives him favour with his bitterest persecutors. But setting aside this exempt case, the scandal of the cross is not yet ceased: but a man may say still, If I please men, I am not the servant of Christ: let no man therefore regard that pleasing suggestion (pleasing doubtless to flesh and blood) “That bad men only pretend to hate and despise them that are good, but do indeed love and esteem them in their hearts.” Not so: they may employ them sometimes; but it is for their own profit. They may put confidence in them: for they know their ways are not like other mens. But still they love them not; unless so far as the Spirit of God may be striving with them. Our Saviour’s words are express: If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Yea, (setting aside what exceptions may be made by the preventing grace or the peculiar providence of God) it hateth them as cordially and sincerely, as ever it did their Master.
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 23 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:8-12.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.