The parent sins
To consider this a little more particularly. How wide do those parent sins extend from which all the rest derive their being? That carnal mind which is enmity against God (Romans 8:7), pride of heart, self-will, and love of the world? Can we fix any bounds to them? Do they not diffuse themselves through all our thoughts and mingle with all our tempers? Are they not the leaven which leavens, more or less, the whole mass of our affections? May we not, on a close and faithful examination of ourselves, perceive these roots of bitterness continually springing up, infecting all our words and tainting all our actions? And how innumerable an offspring do they bring forth in every age and nation? Even enough to cover the whole earth with darkness and cruel habitations (Psalm 74:20).
1771 text
3. To consider this a little more particularly. How wide do those parent sins extend, from which all the rest derive their being? That carnal mind, which is enmity against God, pride of heart, self-will and love of the world? Can we fix any bounds to them? Do they not diffuse themselves thro’ all our thoughts, and mingle with all our tempers? Are they not the leaven which leavens, more or less, the whole mass of our affections? May we not, on a close and faithful examination of ourselves, perceive these roots of bitterness, continually springing up, infecting all our words, and tainting all our actions? And how innumerable an offspring do they bring forth, in every age and nation? Even enough to cover the whole earth with darkness and cruel habitations.
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 31 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 7:13-14.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.