Hang naked on the cross
Over and above all this, are you zealous of good works? Do you, as you have time, do good to all men? Do you feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and visit the fatherless and widow (James 1:27) in their affliction? Do you visit those that are sick? Relieve those who are in prison? Is any a stranger and you take him in? Friend, come up higher. Do you prophesy in the name of Christ? Do you preach the truth as it is in Jesus? And does the influence of his Spirit attend your word, and make it the power of God to salvation? Does he enable you to bring sinners from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God? Then go and learn what you have so often taught, By grace you are saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8). Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but of his own mercy he saves us (Titus 3:5). Learn to hang naked upon the cross of Christ, counting all you have done but dung and dross (Philippians 3:8). Apply to him just in the spirit of the dying thief, of the harlot with her seven devils. Else you are still on the sand, and after saving others, you will lose your own soul.
1771 text
4. *Over and above all this, are you zealous of good works? Do you, as you have time, do good to all men? Do you feed the hungry and cloath the naked, and visit the fatherless and widow in their affliction? Do you visit those that are sick? Relieve them that are in prison? Is any a stranger and you take him in? Friend, come up higher. Do you prophesy in the name of Christ? Do you preach the truth as it is in Jesus? And does the influence of his Spirit attend your word, and make it the power of God unto salvation? Does he enable you to bring sinners from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God? Then go and learn what thou hast so often taught, By grace ye are saved thro’ faith. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but of his own mercy he saveth us. Learn to hang naked upon the cross of Christ, counting all thou hast done but dung and dross. Apply to him just in the spirit of the dying thief, of the harlot with her seven devils. Else thou art still on the sand, and after saving others, thou wilt lose thy own soul.
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.