Seventy times seven
But the trial hurries and frets your own soul. Perhaps it did so for this very reason, because you thought you were accountable for the event, which no one is, nor indeed can be. Or perhaps because you were off your guard. You were not watchful over your own spirit. But this is no reason for disobeying God. Try again, but try more carefully than before. Do good, as you forgive, not seven times only, but until seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22). Only be wiser by experience. Attempt it every time more cautiously than before. Be more humbled before God, more deeply convinced that of yourself you can do nothing. Be more jealous over your own spirit, more gentle, and watchful in prayer. Thus cast your bread upon the waters (Ecclesiastes 11:1), and you shall find it again after many days.
1771 text
“But the trial hurries and frets your own soul.” Perhaps it did so for this very reason, because you thought you was accountable for the event, which no man is, nor indeed can be. Or perhaps, because you was off your guard; you was not watchful over your own spirit. But this is no reason for disobeying God. Try again; but try more warily than before. Do good (as you forgive) not seven times only; but until seventy times seven. Only be wiser by experience: attempt it every time more cautiously than before. Be more humbled before God, more deeply convinced, that of yourself you can do nothing. Be more jealous over your own spirit: more gentle and watchful unto prayer. Thus cast your bread upon the waters, and you shall find it again after many days.
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 24 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:13-16.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.