N03467:334
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.
God hath his certain Days, or appointed Seasons of the Exercise both of Mercy and Judgment. There are some Seasons that are remarkable Times of Wrath, that are laid out by God for that Purpose, viz for his awful Visitation, and the Executions of his Anger; which Times are called Days of Vengeance, Prov 6. 34 And Days wherein God will visit for Sin, Exod. 32. 34 And so on the contrary, there are some other Times, that God has laid out in his sovereign Counsels, for Seasons of remarkable Mercy, wherein he will appear, and manifest himself, in the Exercises of his Grace and Lovingkindness, more than at other Times: Such Times, in Scripture are called by Way of Eminency, accepted Times, and Days of Salvation, and also Days of God's Visitation; because they are Days wherein God will visit in a Way of Mercy; as Luke 19 44. And ⟨p. 155⟩shall lay thee even with the Ground, and thy Children within thee, and they shall not leave in thee one Stone upon another▪ because thou knewest not the Time of thy Visitation. 'Tis such a Time now in this Town; 'tis with us a Day of God's gracious Visitation. It is indeed a Day of Grace with us as long as we live in this World, in the Enjoyment of the Means of Grace; but such a Time as this, is especially, and in a distinguishing Manner, a Day of Grace. There is a Door of Mercy always standing open for Sinners; but at such a Day as this God opens an extraordinary Door.
We are directed to seek the Lord while he may be found, and to call upon him while he is near, Isai. 55 6. If you that are hitherto Christless, be not strangely besotted and infatuated, you will by all Means improve such an Opportunity as this to get Heaven, when Heaven is brought so near, when the Fountain is opened in the midst of us in so extraordinary a Manner. Now is the Time to obtain a Supply of the Necessities of your poor perishing Souls! This is the Day for Sinners that have a Mind to be converted before they die, when God is dealing forth so liberally and bountifully amongst us, when Conversion and Salvation Work is going on amongst us from Sabbath to Sabbath, and many are pressing into the Kingdom of God! Now don't stay behind, but press in among the Rest! Others have been stirred up to be in good Earnest, and have taken Heaven by Violence; be entreated to follow their Example, if you would have a Part of the Inheritance with them, and would not be let at the great Day, when they are taken!