Tried as gold
Yet let not such an one think, That he shall not see war any more, that he is now out of the reach of temptation. It still remains, for God to prove the grace he has given: he shall be tried as gold in the fire (1 Peter 1:7). He shall be tempted no less than they who do not know God: perhaps abundantly more. For Satan will not fail to try to the uttermost, those whom he is not able to destroy. Accordingly, the rain will impetuously descend: only at such times and in such a manner, as seems good, not to the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), but to him whose kingdom rules over all. The floods, or torrents, will come; they will lift up their waves and rage horribly. But to them also, the Lord that sits above the water-floods, that remains a King forever, will say, Thus far shall you come (Job 38:11) and no farther: here shall your proud waves be stayed. The winds will blow and beat upon that house, as though they would tear it up from the foundation. But they cannot prevail: it does not fall: for it is founded upon a rock. He builds on Christ by faith and love: therefore he shall not be cast down. He shall not fear, though the earth is moved (Psalm 46:2), and though the hills are carried into the midst of the sea. Though the waters of it rage and swell, and the mountains shake at the tempest of the same: still he dwells under the defense of the Most High (Psalm 91:1), and is safe under the shadow of the Almighty.
1771 text
4. Yet let not such an one think, That he shall not see war any more, that he is now out of the reach of temptation. It still remains, for God to prove the grace he hath given: he shall be tried as gold in the fire. He shall be tempted not less, than they who know not God: perhaps abundantly more. For Satan will not fail to try to the uttermost, those whom he is not able to destroy. Accordingly, the rain will impetuously descend: only at such times and in such a manner, as seems good, not to the prince of the power of the air, but to him whose kingdom ruleth over all. The floods, or torrents, will come; they will lift up their waves and rage horribly. But to them also, the Lord that sitteth above the water-floods, that remaineth a King for ever, will say, Hitherto shall ye come and no farther: here shall your proud waves be stayed. The winds will blow and beat upon that house, as tho’ they would tear it up from the foundation. But they cannot prevail: it falleth not: for it is founded upon a rock. He buildeth on Christ by faith and love: therefore he shall not be cast down. He shall not fear, tho’ the earth be moved, and tho’ the hills be carried into the midst of the sea. Tho’ the waters thereof rage and swell, and the mountains shake at the tempest of the same: still he dwelleth under the defence of the Most High, and is safe under the shadow of the Almighty.
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 33 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 7:21-27.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.