The sacrament by their hands
Again, to them, to false prophets, undeniably such, is frequently committed (O grief to speak! For surely these things ought not so to be) the administration of the sacrament also. To direct men therefore not to hear them would be in effect to cut them off from the ordinances of God. But this we dare not do, considering the validity of the ordinance does not depend on the goodness of him who administers it, but on the faithfulness of him who ordained it, who will and does meet us in his appointed ways. Therefore on this account likewise I scruple to say, hear not even the false prophets. Even by these who are under a curse themselves, God can and does give us his blessing. For the bread which they break we have experimentally known to be the communion of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16). And the cup which God blessed even by their unhallowed lips was to us the communion of the blood of Christ.
1771 text
8. *Again, unto them, unto false prophets, undeniably such, is frequently committed (O grief to speak! For surely these things ought not so to be) the administration of the sacrament also. To direct men therefore, not to hear them, would be in effect to cut them off from the ordinances of God. But this we dare not do, considering the validity of the ordinance doth not depend on the goodness of him that administers, but on the faithfulness of him that ordained it, who will and doth meet us in his appointed ways. Therefore on this account likewise I scruple to say, hear not even the false prophets. Even by these who are under a curse themselves, God can, and doth give us his blessing. For the bread which they break we have experimentally known to be the communion of the body of Christ. And the cup which God blest even by their unhallowed lips, was to us the communion of the blood of Christ.
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 32 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 7:15-20.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.