Contemplation is one way
But if so, then contemplation is only one way of worshipping God in spirit and in truth. Therefore to give ourselves up entirely to this would be to destroy many branches of spiritual worship, all equally acceptable to God and equally profitable, not hurtful, to the soul. For it is a great mistake to suppose that an attention to those outward things to which the providence of God has called us is any clog to a Christian, or any hindrance at all to his always seeing him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27). It does not at all damp the ardor of his thought. It does not burden or distract his mind. It gives him no uneasy or hurtful care, who does it all as to the Lord, who has learned, whatever he does in word or deed, to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17), having only one eye of the soul, which moves around on outward things, and one immovably fixed on God. Learn what this means (Matthew 9:13), you poor recluses, so that you may clearly see your own littleness of faith. Yes, so that you may no longer judge others by yourselves, go and learn what this means (Matthew 9:13).
1771 text
5. But if so, then contemplation is only one way of worshipping God in spirit and in truth. Therefore to give ourselves up entirely to this, would be to destroy many branches of spiritual worship, all equally acceptable to God, and equally profitable, not hurtful to the soul. For it is a great mistake to suppose, That an attention to those outward things, whereto the providence of God hath called us, is any clog to a Christian, or any hindrance at all to his always seeing him that is invisible. It does not at all damp the ardor of his thought, it does not incumber or distract his mind; it gives him no uneasy or hurtful care, who does it all as unto the Lord: who hath learned, whatsoever he doth in word or deed, to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus: having only one eye of the soul, which moves round on outward things, and one immoveably fixt on God. Learn what this meaneth, ye poor recluses, that you may clearly discern your own littleness of faith. Yea, that you may no longer judge others by yourselves, go and learn what that meaneth:
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 24 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:13-16.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.