Designed to restore love
Faith then was originally designed by God to reestablish the law of love. Therefore in speaking thus we are not undervaluing it or robbing it of its due praise; on the contrary, we are showing its real worth, exalting it in its just proportion, and giving it the very place which the wisdom of God assigned it from the beginning. It is the grand means of restoring that holy love in which man was originally created. It follows that although faith is of no value in itself (as neither is any other means whatsoever), yet as it leads to that end — the establishing anew of the law of love in our hearts — and as in the present state of things it is the only means under heaven for effecting it, it is on that account an unspeakable blessing to man and of unspeakable value before God.
1771 text
6. *Faith then was originally designed of God, to re-establish the law of love. Therefore in speaking thus, we are not undervaluing it, or robbing it of its due praise: but on the contrary shewing its real worth, exalting it in its just proportion, and giving it that very place which the wisdom of God assigned it from the beginning. It is the grand means of restoring that holy love, wherein man was originally created. It follows, that altho’ faith is of no value in itself (as neither is any other means whatsoever) yet as it leads to that end, the establishing anew the law of love in our hearts, and as, in the present state of things, it is the only means under heaven for effecting it: it is, on that account, an unspeakable blessing to man, and of unspeakable value before God.
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 36 in the 1771 Works. Romans 3:31.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.