N03467:267
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.
V. and last Thing proposed, which is to consider the Importance of this Doctrine.
I know there are many that make as tho' this Controversy was of no great Importance; that it is chiefly a Matter of nice Speculation, depending on certain subtle Distinctions, which many that make use of them don't understand themselves; and that the Difference is not of such Consequence, as to be worth the being zealous about; and that more Hurt is done by raising Disputes about it, than good.
I know there are many that make as tho' this Controversy was of no great Importance; that it is chiefly a Matter of nice Speculation, depending on certain subtil Distinctions, which many that make use of them don't understand themselves; and that the Difference is not of such Consequence, as to be worth the being zealous about; and that more Hurt is done by raising Disputes about it, than good.
Indeed I am far from thinking that it is of absolute Necessity that Persons should understand, and be agreed upon, all the Distinctions needful particularly to explain and defend this Doctrine, against all Cavils and Objections; (tho' all Christians should strive after an Increase of Knowledge; and none should content themselves without some clear and distinct Understanding in this Point:) But that we should believe in the General, according to the clear and abundant Revelations of God's Word, that 'tis none of our own Excellency, Virtue, or Righteousness, that is the Ground of our being received from a State of Condemnation into a State of Acceptance in God's Sight, but only Jesus Christ, and his Righteousness, and Worthiness, received by Faith. This I think to be of great Importance, at least in Application to our selves; and that for the following Reasons.
Indeed I am far from thinking that it is of absolute Necessity that Persons should understand, and be agreed upon, all the Distinctions needful particularly to explain and defend this Doctrine, against all Cavils and Objections; (tho' all Christians should strive after an Increase of Knowlege; and none should content themselves without some clear and distinct Understanding in this Point:) But that we should believe in the General, according to the clear and abundant Revelations of God's Word, that 'tis none of our own Excellency, Virtue, or Righteousness, that is the Ground of our being received from a State of Condemnation into a State of Acceptance in God's Sight, but only Jesus Christ, and his Righteousness, and Worthiness, received by Faith. This I think to be of great Importance, at least in Application to our selves; and that for the following Reasons.