Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount Discourse IX · §62

Sufficient to the day is the evil

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Gladly suffer today, for his name's sake, whatever he permits this day to come upon you. But look not at the sufferings of tomorrow. Sufficient to the day is the evil of it (Matthew 6:34). Evil it is, speaking after the manner of men, whether it be reproach or want, pain or sickness. But in the language of God, all is blessing. It is a precious balm, prepared by the wisdom of God and variously dispensed among his children according to the various sicknesses of their souls. And he gives in 1 day sufficient for that day, proportioned to the want and strength of the patient. If therefore you snatch today what belongs to tomorrow, if you add this to what is given you already, it will be more than you can bear. This is the way not to heal but to destroy your own soul. Take therefore just as much as he gives you today. Today do and suffer his will. Today give up yourself, your body, soul, and spirit to God through Christ Jesus, desiring nothing but that God may be glorified in all you are, all you do, all you suffer, seeking nothing but to know God and his Son Jesus Christ through the eternal Spirit, pursuing nothing but to love him, to serve him, and to enjoy him at this hour and to all eternity.

1771 text

29. *Gladly suffer to-day, for his name’s sake, whatsoever he permits this day to come upon thee. But look not at the sufferings of to-morrow. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Evil it is, speaking after the manner of men: whether it be reproach or want, pain or sickness. But in the language of God, all is blessing: it is a precious balm, prepared by the wisdom of God, and variously dispensed among his children, according to the various sicknesses of their souls. And he gives in one day, sufficient for that day; proportioned to the want and strength of the patient. If therefore thou snatchest to-day what belongs to the morrow, if thou addest this to what is given thee already, it will be more than thou canst bear: this is the way not to heal, but to destroy thy own soul. Take therefore just as much as he gives thee to-day: to-day do and suffer his will. To-day give up thyself, thy body, soul and spirit, to God, through Christ Jesus: desiring nothing, but that God may be glorified in all thou art, all thou dost, all thou sufferest: seeking nothing, but to know God, and his Son Jesus Christ, through the eternal spirit: pursuing nothing, but to love him, to serve him, and to enjoy him at this hour, and to all eternity!

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 29 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 6:24-34.

This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.