The crown of incorruption
He whose heart is not circumcised by love talks, to as little purpose, of fighting the fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12) as he vainly hopes to attain the crown of incorruption (1 Corinthians 9:25). This we may, last, infer from the preceding observations. Love, cutting off both the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16), engaging the whole man, body, soul, and spirit, in the ardent pursuit of that one object, is so essential to a child of God that, without it, whoever lives is counted dead before him.
Though I speak with the tongue of men and angels, and have not love (1 Corinthians 13:1), I am as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so as to remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. No, though I give all my goods to feed the poor, and my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.
1771 text
9. To as little purpose does he talk of fighting the fight of faith, as vainly hope to attain the crown of incorruption (as we may, lastly, infer from the preceding observations) whose heart is not circumcised by love. Love cutting off both the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, engaging the whole man, body, soul and spirit, in the ardent pursuit of that one object, is so essential to a child of God, that “without it, whosoever liveth is counted dead before him.” Though I speak with the tongue of men and angels, and have not love, I am as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so as to remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. Nay, though I give all my goods to feed the poor, and my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.
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 17 in the 1771 Works. Romans 2:29. Saint Mary's, Oxford, 1 January 1733.
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