A whole Christ, an entire Savior
We may observe, thirdly, that a deep conviction of our utter helplessness teaches us truly to live upon Christ by faith, not only as our priest, but as our king. It is a conviction of our total inability to keep anything we have received, and, much more, to deliver ourselves from that whole world of sin remaining both in our hearts and in our lives. By this we are brought to magnify him indeed, to give him all the glory of his grace, to make him a whole Christ, an entire Savior, and truly to set the crown upon his head.
These excellent words, as they have often been used, have little or no meaning. But they are fulfilled in a strong and deep sense when we, as it were, go out of ourselves in order to be swallowed up in him, when we sink into nothing so that he may be all in all. Then his almighty grace has abolished every high thing which exalted itself against him. Every temper, and thought, and word, and work is brought to the obedience of Christ.
He dated the sermon at the end. Londonderry, 24 April 1767.
1771 text
4. We may observe, thirdly, a deep conviction of our utter helplessness, of our total inability to retain any thing we have received, much more to deliver ourselves from the world of iniquity remaining both in our hearts and lives, teaches us truly to live upon Christ by faith, not only as our priest, but as our king. Hereby we are brought to “magnify him” indeed, to “give him all the glory of his grace,” to “make him a whole Christ, an entire Saviour,” and truly to “set the crown upon his head.” These excellent words, as they have frequently been used, have little or no meaning. But they are fulfilled in a strong and a deep sense, when we thus, as it were, go out of ourselves, in order to be swallowed up in him; when we sink into nothing, that he may be all in all. Then his almighty grace having abolished every high thing which exalted itself against him, every temper, and thought, and word, and work is brought to the obedience of Christ.
LONDONDERRY, April 24, 1767.
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 14 in the 1771 Works. Mark 1:15. Dated at Londonderry, 24 April 1767.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.