Not rites and forms
Not in any outward thing, such as forms or ceremonies, even of the most excellent kind. Suppose these to be ever so decent and significant, ever so expressive of inward things. Suppose them ever so helpful, not only to ordinary people, whose thought reaches little farther than their sight, but even to men of understanding, men of stronger capacities, as no doubt they may sometimes be. Yes, suppose them, as in the case of the Jews, to be appointed by God himself. Yet even during the time in which that appointment remains in force, true religion does not principally consist in them. No, strictly speaking, it does not consist in them at all.
How much more must this hold concerning such rites and forms as are only of human appointment? The religion of Christ rises infinitely higher, and lies immensely deeper, than all these. These are good in their place, just so far as they in fact serve true religion. And it would be superstition to object against them, while they are used only as occasional helps to human weakness. But let no man carry them farther. Let no man dream that they have any intrinsic worth, or that religion cannot exist without them. That would be to make them an abomination to the Lord.
1771 text
4. Not in any outward thing; such as forms or ceremonies, even of the most excellent kind. Supposing these to be ever so decent and significant, ever so expressive of inward things: supposing them ever so helpful, not only to the vulgar, whose thought reaches little farther than their sight; but even to men of understanding, men of stronger capacities, as doubtless they may sometimes be: yea, supposing them, as in the case of the Jews, to be appointed by God himself; yet even during the period of time wherein that appointment remains in force, true religion does not principally consist therein; nay, strictly speaking, not at all. How much more must this hold concerning such rites and forms, as are only of human appointment? The religion of Christ rises infinitely higher, and lies immensely deeper than all these. These are good in their place; just so far as they are in fact subservient to true religion. And it were superstition to object against them, while they are applied only as occasional helps to human weakness. But let no man carry them farther. Let no man dream, that they have any intrinsick worth: or that religion cannot subsist without them. This were to make them an abomination to the Lord.
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 7 in the 1771 Works. Mark 1:15.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.