N03467:322
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.
I would now proceed to give some Directions how you should press into the Kingdom of God.
1. Be directed as it were to sacrifice every Thing to your Souls eternal Interest. Let seeking this be so much your Bent, and what you are so resolved in, that you will make every Thing give Place to it. Let nothing stand before your Resolution of Seeking the Kingdom of God. Whatever it be that you used to look upon as a Convenience, or Comfort, or Ease, or Thing desirable on any Account, if it stands in the Way of this great Concern, let it be dismissed without Hesitation; and if it be of that Nature that it is like always to be an Hindrance, then wholly have done with it, and never entertain any Expectation from it more. If in Time past, you have, for the sake of worldly Gain, involved your self in more Care and Business than you find to be consistent with your being so thorough in the Business of Religion as you ought to be, then get into some other Way, tho' you suffer in your worldly Interest by it. Or if you have heretofore been conversant with Company that you have Reason to think have been, and will be a Snare to you, and a Hindrance to this great Design, in any wise break off from their Society, ⟨p. 148⟩however it may expose you to Reproach from your old Companions, or let what will be the Effect of it. Or whatever it be that stands in the Way of your most advantageously seeking Salvation, if it be some dear sinful Pleasure, or strong carnal Appetite, or if it be Credit and Honour, or if it be the Good-Will of some Person whose Friendship you Desire, or a being accounted of by those whose Esteem and Liking you have highly valued, and there be Danger if you do as you ought, you shall be looked upon by them as odd, and ridiculous, and become contemptible in their Eyes; or if it be your Ease and Indolence, and Aversion to continual Labour; or if it be your outward Convenience in any Respect, whereby you might avoid Difficulties of one Kind or • there; LET ALL GO; offer up all such Things together, as it were in one Sacrifice to the Interest of your Soul: Let nothing stand in Competition with this, but make every Thing to fall before it. If the Flesh must be crossed, then cross it, spare it not, crucify it, and don't be afraid of being too cruel to it.