Original Sin · §24

Who can cast the stone?

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A considerable difference indeed, it must be allowed, there is between man and man, arising (besides that wrought by preventing grace) from difference of constitution and of education. But notwithstanding this, who, that is not utterly ignorant of himself, can here cast the first stone at another (John 8:7)? Who can abide the test of our blessed Lord's comment on the seventh commandment? He who looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart (Matthew 5:28). So that one knows not which to wonder at most, the ignorance or the insolence of those men who speak with such disdain of those who are overcome by desires which every man has felt in his own breast! The desire of every pleasure of sense, innocent or not, being natural to every child of man.

1771 text

A considerable difference indeed, it must be allowed, there is between man and man, arising (beside that wrought by preventing grace) from difference of constitution, and of education. But notwithstanding this, who, that is not utterly ignorant of himself, can here cast the first stone at another? Who can abide the test of our blessed Lord’s comment on the seventh commandment? He that looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. So that one knows not which to wonder at most, the ignorance or the insolence of those men, who speak with such disdain of them that are overcome by desires, which every man has felt in his own breast! The desire of every pleasure of sense, innocent or not, being natural to every child of man.

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 44 in the 1771 Works. Genesis 6:5.

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