With what love
Above all, with what amazing love the Son of God here reveals his Father's will to man. He does not bring us again to the mountain that burned with fire (Hebrews 12:18), nor to blackness, and darkness, and tempest. He does not speak as when he thundered out of heaven, when the Most High gave his thunder, hailstones, and coals of fire. He now addresses us with his still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12). Blessed, or happy, are the poor in spirit. Happy are the mourners, the meek, those who hunger after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart. Happy in the end and in the way. Happy in this life, and in life everlasting. As if he had said, Who is the person who longs to live, and would gladly see good days? Look, I show you the thing which your soul has longed for. See the way you have so long sought in vain. The way of pleasantness, the path to calm, joyous peace, to heaven below and heaven above.
1771 text
8. Above all, with what amazing love does the Son of God, here reveal his Father’s will to man! He does not bring us again to the mount that burned with fire, nor unto blackness and darkness and tempest. He does not speak as when he thundered out of heaven; when the Highest gave his thunder, hail-stones and coals of fire. He now addresses us with his still, small voice. Blessed or happy are the poor in spirit. Happy are the mourners, the meek; those that hunger after righteousness; the merciful, the pure in heart: happy in the end and in the way; happy in this life, and in life everlasting! As if he had said, Who is he that lusteth to live, and would fain see good days? Behold, I shew you the thing which your soul longeth for; see the way you have so long sought in vain! The way of pleasantness; the path to calm, joyous peace, to heaven below and heaven above!
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.