You cannot always avoid it
Yet do not think that you can always avoid it, either by this or by any other means. If ever that idle imagination steals into your heart, put it to flight by that earnest caution: Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his Lord (John 15:20). If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you (John 15:20). Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16). But will this screen you from persecution? Not unless you have more wisdom than your Master, or more innocence than the Lamb of God (John 1:29).
Neither desire to avoid it, to escape it wholly. For if you do, you are none of his. If you escape the persecution, you escape the blessing, the blessing of those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. If you are not persecuted for righteousness' sake, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him (2 Timothy 2:12). But if we deny him, he will also deny us (2 Timothy 2:12).
1771 text
10. Yet think not, that you can always avoid it, either by this, or any other means. If ever that idle imagination steals into your heart, put it to flight by that earnest caution, Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. Be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But will this screen you from persecution? Not unless you have more wisdom than your Master, or more innocence than the Lamb of God.
Neither desire to avoid it, to escape it wholly; for if you do, you are none of his. If you escape the persecution, you escape the blessing; the blessing of those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. If you are not persecuted for righteousness sake, you cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him, he will also deny us.
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.