Stages, and every Christian
Some have supposed that in these he meant to point out the several stages of the Christian course, the steps a Christian takes, one after another, on the journey to the promised land. Others have supposed that all the particulars set down here belong at all times to every Christian. And why may we not allow both the one and the other? What inconsistency is there between them? It is undoubtedly true that both poverty of spirit and every other temper mentioned here are found at all times, in a greater or lesser degree, in every real Christian. And it is equally true that real Christianity always begins in poverty of spirit, and goes on in the order set down here, until the man of God is made perfect. We begin at the lowest of these gifts of God, yet so as not to give this one up when we are called by God to come up higher. Where we have already arrived, we hold fast, while we press on to what is still ahead, to the highest blessings of God in Christ Jesus.
1771 text
Some have supposed that he designed in these, to point out the several stages of the Christian course; the steps which a Christian successively takes in his journey to the promised land; others, that all the particulars here set down, belong at all times to every Christian: And why may we not allow both the one and the other? What inconsistency is there between them? It is undoubtedly true, that both poverty of spirit and every other temper which is here mentioned, are at all times found, in a greater or less degree, in every real Christian. And it is equally true, that real Christianity always begins in poverty of spirit, and goes on in the order here set down till the man of God is made perfect. We begin at the lowest of these gifts of God; yet so as not to relinquish this, when we are called of God, to come up higher: but, whereunto we have already attained, we hold fast, while we press on to what is yet before, to the highest blessings of God in Christ Jesus.
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 21 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:1-4.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.