Who reproaches the preaching of the law
Who, what are they, that make the preaching of the law a term of reproach? Do they not see on whom the reproach must fall, on whose head it must land at last? Whoever on this ground despises us despises him who sent us (Luke 10:16). For did any man ever preach the law like him, even when he came not to condemn but to save the world (John 3:17), when he came on purpose to bring life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10)? Can anyone preach the law more expressly, more rigorously, than Christ does in these words? And who is he that shall amend them? Who is he that shall instruct the Son of God how to preach? Who will teach him a better way of delivering the message which he has received from the Father?
1771 text
Who, what are they, that make “The preaching of the law,” a character of reproach? Do they not see on whom the reproach must fall? On whose head it must light at last? Whosoever on this ground despiseth us, despiseth him that sent us. For did ever any man preach the law like him? Even when he came, not to condemn but to save the world: when he came purposely to bring life and immortality to light through the gospel? Can any “preach the law” more expresly, more rigorously, than Christ does in these words? And who is he that shall amend them? Who is he that shall instruct the Son of God, how to preach? Who will teach him a better way of delivering the message which he hath received of the Father?
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 25 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:17-20.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.