Religious madness
Every enthusiast then is properly a madman. Yet his is not an ordinary but a religious madness. By religious I do not mean that it is any part of religion. Quite the reverse: religion is the spirit of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7), and consequently stands in direct opposition to madness of every kind. But I mean it has religion for its object; it is conversant about religion. And so the enthusiast is generally talking of religion, of God or the things of God, but talking in such a manner that every reasonable Christian may discern the disorder of his mind. Enthusiasm in general may then be described in some such manner as this: a religious madness arising from some falsely imagined influence or inspiration of God — at least, from imputing something to God which ought not to be imputed to him, or expecting something from God which ought not to be expected from him.
1771 text
12. *Every Enthusiast then is properly a madman. Yet his is not an ordinary, but a religious madness. By religious, I do not mean, that it is any part of religion. Quite the reverse: religion is, the spirit of a sound mind: and consequently stands in direct opposition to madness of every kind. But I mean, it has religion for its object; it is conversant about religion. And so the Enthusiast is generally talking of religion, of God or the things of God: but talking in such a manner that every reasonable Christian may discern the disorder of his mind. Enthusiasm in general may then be described in some such manner as this: a religious madness arising from some falsely imagined influence or inspiration of God: at least, from imputing something to God which ought not to be imputed to him, or expecting something from God which ought not to be expected from him.
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 37 in the 1771 Works. Acts 26:24.
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