Be not high-minded, but fear
Let us learn, last, to follow that direction of the great apostle: "Be not high-minded, but fear" (Romans 11:20). Let us fear sin more than death or hell. Let us have a jealous fear, though not a painful one, lest we should lean on our own deceitful hearts. "Let him who stands take heed, lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). Even he who now stands fast in the grace of God, in the faith that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4), may nevertheless fall into inward sin, and thereby make shipwreck of his faith (1 Timothy 1:19). And how easily, then, will outward sin regain its dominion over him?
You, therefore, man of God, watch always, that you may always hear the voice of God. Watch, that you may pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), at all times and in all places, pouring out your heart before him. So shall you always believe, and always love, and never commit sin.
1771 text
4. Let us learn, lastly, to follow that direction of the great apostle, Be not high-minded, but fear. Let us fear sin, more than death or hell. Let us have a jealous (though not painful) fear, lest we should lean to our own deceitful hearts. Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall. Even he who now standeth fast in the grace of God, in the faith that overcometh the world, may nevertheless fall into inward sin, and thereby make shipwreck of his faith. And how easily then will outward sin regain its dominion over him? Thou therefore, O man of God, watch always; that thou mayest always hear the voice of God. Watch that thou mayest pray without ceasing, at all times and in all places, pouring out thine heart before him. So shalt thou always believe, and always love, and never commit sin.
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 19 in the 1771 Works. First John 3:9.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.