Repenting criminals
But blessed be God, we are not among those who are so dark in their conceptions and expressions. We no more deny the phrase than the thing, but we are unwilling to force it on other men. Let them use either this, or such other expressions as they judge to be more exactly scriptural, provided their heart rests only on what Christ has done and suffered, for pardon, grace, and glory. I cannot express this better than in Mr. Hervey's words, worthy to be written in letters of gold. "We are not anxious as to any particular set of phrases. Only let men be humbled, as repenting criminals, at Christ's feet. Let them rely, as devoted pensioners, on his merits, and they are undoubtedly in the way to a blessed immortality."
1771 text
17. But blessed be God, we are not among those who are so dark in their conceptions and expressions. We no more deny the phrase than the thing; but we are unwilling to obtrude it on other men. Let them use either this or such other expressions as they judge to be more exactly scriptural, provided their heart rests only on what Christ hath done and suffered, for pardon, grace and glory. I cannot express this better than in Mr. Hervey’s words, worthy to be wrote in letters of gold. “We are not solicitous as to any particular set of phrases. Only let men be humbled as repenting criminals at Christ’s feet, let them rely as devoted pensioners on his merits, and they are undoubtedly in the way to a blessed immortality.”
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 20 in the 1771 Works. Jeremiah 23:6.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.