N03467:286
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.
1. In the Generalness of it, with Regard to the Subject, or the Persons in whom the Success appeared; every Man: Here is a Term of Universality; but 'tis not to be taken as universal with Regard to Individuals, but Kinds; as such universal Terms are often used in Scripture. When John preached there was an extraordinary pouring out of the Spirit of God, that attended his preaching; and an uncommon Awakening, and Concern for Salvation, appeared on the Minds of all sorts of Persons; and even in the most unlikely Persons, and those from whom such a Thing might least be expected; as the Pharisees, who were exceeding proud, and self-sufficient, and conceited of their own Wisdom and Righteousness, and looked on themselves fit to be Teachers of others, and used to scorn to be taught; and the Sadducees, who were a kind of Infidels, that denied any Resurrection, Angel, or Spirit, or any future State: So that John himself seems to be surprised to see them come to him, under such Concern for their Salvation; as in Mat. 3. 7. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his Baptism, he said unto them, O Generation of Vipers, Who hath warned you to flee from the ⟨p. 134⟩Wrath to come? And besides these, the Publicans who were some of the most infamous sort of Men, came to him, inquiring what they should do to be saved. And the Soldiers, that were doubtless a very profane, loose, and profligate sort of Persons; they made the same Inquiry Luke 3 12▪ & 14. Then came also Publicans to be baptised, and said unto him, Master, What shall we do? And the Soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do?
1. In the Generalness of it, with Regard to the Subject, or the Persons in whom the Success appeared; every Man: Here is a Term of Universality; but 'tis not to be taken as universal with Regard to Individuals, but Kinds; as such universal Terms are often used in Scripture. When John preached there was an extraordinary pouring out of the Spirit of God, that attended his preaching; and an uncommon Awakening, and Concern for Salvation, appeared on the Minds of all sorts of Persons; and even in the most unlikely Persons, and those from whom such a Thing might least be expected; as the Pharisees, who were exceeding proud, and selfsufficient, and conceited of their own Wisdom and Righteousness, and looked on themselves fit to be Teachers of others, and used to scorn to be taught; and the Sadducees, who were a kind of Infidels, that denied any Resurrection, Angel, or Spirit, or any future State: So that John himself seems to be surprized to see them come to him, under such Concern for their Salvation; as in