Use the means
Beware, lastly, of imagining you shall obtain the end without using the means conducive to it. God can give the end without any means at all, but you have no reason to think he will. Therefore constantly and carefully use all those means which he has appointed to be the ordinary channels of his grace. Use every means which either reason or Scripture recommends as conducive (through the free love of God in Christ) either to the obtaining or increasing of any of the gifts of God. Thus expect a daily growth in that pure and holy religion which the world always did and always will call enthusiasm, but which to all who are saved from real enthusiasm, from merely nominal Christianity, is the wisdom of God and the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:24), the glorious image of the Most High: righteousness and peace (Romans 14:17), a fountain of living water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14)!
1771 text
39. Beware, lastly, of imagining you shall obtain the end, without using the means conducive to it. God can give the end, without any means at all: but you have no reason to think he will. Therefore constantly and carefully use all these means, which he has appointed to be the ordinary channels of his grace. Use every means which either reason or scripture recommends, as conducive (thro’ the free love of God in Christ) either to the obtaining, or increasing any of the gifts of God. Thus expect a daily growth in that pure and holy religion, which the world always did, and always will call Enthusiasm: but which, to all who are saved from real Enthusiasm, from merely nominal Christianity, is the wisdom of God and the power of God, the glorious image of the Most High: righteousness and peace: a fountain of living water, springing up into everlasting life!
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.