N03467:330
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.
Prepare for such Temptations now: Lay in beforehand for such Trials and Difficulties, that you may not think any strange Thing has happened when they come.
Prepare for such Temptations now: Lay in beforehand for such Trials and Difficulties, that you may not think any strange Thing has happen'd when they come.
I hope that those that have given Attention to what has been said, have by this Time conceived in some Measure what is signified by the Expression in the Text▪ and after what Manner they ought to press into the Kingdom of God. Here is this to induce you to a Compliance with what you have been directed to; if you sit still you die, if you go backward behold you shall surely die, if you go forward you may live. And though God has not bound himself to any Thing that a Person does, while destitute of Faith, & out of Christ, yet there is great Probability, that in a Way of hearkening to this Counsel you will live, & that by pressing onward, & persevering, you will at last as it were by Violence take the Kingdom of Heaven. Those of you that have now heard me, that have not only heard the Directions that have been given, but shall, through God's merciful Assistance, practice according to them, are those that probably will overcome, that we may well hope at last to see standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion, clothed in white Robes, with Palms in their Hands; when all your Labour and Toil will be abundantly compensated, and you will not repent that you have taken so much Pains, and denied your self so much, and waited so long: This Pains, th•s Self-Denial, this Waiting, 'will then look little, and vanish into nothing in your Eyes, being all swallowed up in the first Mi••tes Enjoyment of that Glory, that you will then be in Possession of, and will uninterruptedly possess and enjoy to all Eternity.
I hope that those that have given Attention to what has been said, have by this Time conceived in some Measure what is signified by the Expression in the Text and after what Manner they ought to press into the Kingdom of God. Here is this to induce you to a Compliance with what you have been directed to; if you sit still you die, if you go backward behold you shall surely die, if you go forward you may live. And though God has not bound himself to any Thing that a Person does, while destitute of Faith, & out of Christ, yet there is great Probability, that in a Way of hearkening to this Counsel you will live, & that by pressing onward, & persevering, you will at last as it were by Violence take the Kingdom of Heaven. Those of you that have now heard me, that have not only heard the Directions that have been given, but shall, through God's merciful Assistance, practice according to them, are those that probably will overcome, that we may well hope at last to see standing with the Lamb on Mount Sion, chathed in white Robes, with Palms in their Hands; when all your Labour and Toil will be abundantly compensated, and you will not repent that you have taken so much Pains, and denied your self so much, and waited so long: This Pains, ths SelfDenial, this Waiting, 'will then look little, and vanish into nothing in your Eyes, being all swallowed up in the first Mites Enjoyment of that Glory, that you will then be in Possession of, and will uninterruptedly possess and enjoy to all Eternity.