N03467:126
Discourses on various important subjects, nearly concerning the great affair of the soul's eternal…
Discourses on various important subjects, nearly concerning the great affair of the soul's eternal salvation, viz. I. Justification by faith alone. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. III. Ruth's resolution. IV. The justice of God in the damnation of sinners. V. The excellency of Jesus Christ. : Delivered at Northampton, chiefly at the time of the late wonderful pouring out of the spirit of God there. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the Church of Christ in Northampton. ; [Three lines from Deuteronomy]
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland and T. Green, 1738
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. 'Tis apparent also that it enhances the Obligation to Gratitude in the Receiver. This is agreeable to the common Sense of Mankind, that the less worthy or excellent the Object of Benevolence, or the receiver of Kindness is, the more he is obliged, and the greater Gratitude is due. He therefore is most of all obliged, that receives Kindness without any Goodness or Excellency in himself, but with a total and universal Hatefulness. And as 'tis agreeable to the common Sense of Mankind; so 'tis agreeable to the Word of God: How often does God in the Scripture insist on this Argument with Men, to move them to love him, and to acknowledge his Kindness? How much does he insist on this as an Obligation to Gratitude, that they are so sinful and ••deserving, and illdeserving.
2. 'Tis apparent also that it enhanses the Obligation to Gratitude in the Receiver. This is agreeable to the common Sense of Mankind, that the less worthy or excellent the Object of Benevolence, or the receiver of Kindness is, the more he is obliged, and the greater Gratitude is due. He therefore is most of all obliged, that receives Kindness without any Goodness or Excellency in himself, but with a total and universal Hatefulness. And as 'tis agreeable to the common Sense of Mankind; so 'tis agreeable to the Word of God: How often does God in the Scripture insist on this Argument with Men, to move them to love him, and to acknowledge his Kindness? How much does he insist on this as an Obligation to Gratitude, that they are so sinful and ••deserving, and illdeserving.
Therefore it certainly follows, that that Doctrine that teaches that God, when he justifies a Man, and shows him that great Kindness, as to give him a Right to eternal Life, don't do it for any Obedience, or any manner of Goodness of his; but that Justification respects a Man as ungodly, and wholly without any manner of Virtue, Beauty, or Excellency. […] say, this Doctrine does certainly more exalt the free Grace of God in Justification, and Man's Obligation to Gratitude to him, for such a Favour, th•n the contrary Doctrine, viz. That God in showing this Kindness to Man, respects him as sincerely