Hold fast your shield
Third, the more you are tempted to give up your shield, to cast away your faith, your confidence in his love, so much the more take heed that you hold fast that to which you have attained. So much the more labor to stir up the gift of God which is in you (2 Timothy 1:6). Never let this slip: I have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1), and the life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). Let this be your glory and crown of rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19). And see that no one takes your crown (Revelation 3:11). Hold this fast: I know that my Redeemer lives, and shall stand at the latter day upon the earth (Job 19:25). And I now have redemption in his blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7). Thus, being filled with all peace and joy in believing (Romans 15:13), press on in the peace and joy of faith to the renewal of your whole soul in the image of him who created you (Colossians 3:10). Meanwhile cry continually to God, that you may see that prize of your high calling (Philippians 3:14), not as Satan represents it, in a horrid dreadful shape, but in its genuine native beauty: not as something that must be, or you will go to hell, but as what may be, to lead you to heaven. Look upon it as the most desirable gift which is in all the stores of the rich mercies of God. Beholding it in the true point of light, you will hunger after it more and more. Your whole soul will thirst for God (Psalm 42:2), and for this glorious conformity to his likeness. And having received a good hope of this, and strong consolation through grace (2 Thessalonians 2:16), you will no more be weary or faint in your mind (Hebrews 12:3), but will follow on till you attain.
1771 text
3. Thirdly, the more you are tempted to give up your shield, to cast away your faith, your confidence in his love, so much the more take heed that you hold fast that, whereunto you have attained. So much the more labour to stir up the gift of God which is in you. Never let that slip, I have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and the life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Be this thy glory and crown of rejoicing. And see that no one take thy crown. Hold that fast, I know that my Redeemer liveth, and shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And I now have redemption in his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Thus, being filled with all peace and joy in believing, press on in the peace and joy of faith to the renewal of thy whole soul, in the image of him that created thee. Mean while cry continually to God, that thou mayst see that prize of thy high calling, not as Satan represents it, in a horrid dreadful shape, but in its genuine native beauty: not as something that must be, or thou wilt go to hell, but as what may be, to lead thee to heaven. Look upon it as the most desirable gift, which is in all the stores of the rich mercies of God. Beholding it in the true point of light, thou wilt hunger after it more and more: thy whole soul will be athirst for God, and for this glorious conformity to his likeness. And having received a good hope of this, and strong consolation through grace, thou wilt no more be weary or faint in this mind, but wilt follow on till thou attainest.
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 42 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 2:11.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.