Paul's religion
And so say all the world, the men who do not know God, of all who are of Paul's religion — of everyone who so follows him as he followed Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). It is true, there is a sort of religion, and it is called Christianity too, which may be practiced without any such imputation, which is generally allowed to be consistent with common sense. That is, a religion of form, a round of outward duties performed in a decent, regular manner. You may add orthodoxy to it, a system of right opinions, yes, and some quantity of heathen morality. And yet not many will pronounce that much religion has made you mad. But if you aim at the religion of the heart, if you talk of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17), then it will not be long before your sentence is passed: You are beside yourself (Acts 26:24).
1771 text
1. AND so say all the world, the men who know not God, of all that are of Paul’s religion; of every one who is so a follower of him, as he was of Christ. It is true, there is a sort of religion, nay and it is called Christianity too, which may be practised without any such imputation, which is generally allowed to be consistent with common sense. That is, a religion of form, a round of outward duties, performed in a decent, regular manner. You may add orthodoxy thereto, a system of right opinions, yea, and some quantity of Heathen morality. And yet not many will pronounce, that much religion hath made you mad. But if you aim at the religion of the heart, if you talk of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, then it will not be long before your sentence is past, Thou art beside thyself.
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.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.