N03467:341
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.
2. God comes this Day and knocks at many Persons Doors, and at your Door among the Rest. God seems to be come in a very unusual Manner amongst us, upon a gracious and merciful Design, a Design of saving a Number of poor miserable Souls out of a lost and perishing Condition, and bringing them into a happy State, in Safety from Misery, and a Title to eternal Glory! This is offered to you, not only as it has always been in the Word and Ordinances, but by the particular Influences of the Spirit of Christ awakening of you! This special Offer is made to many amongst us; and you be not passed over: Christ has not forgot or over looked you; but has come to your Door; and there as it were stands waiting for you to open to him. If you have Wisdom & Discretion to discern your own Advantage, you will know that now is your Opportunity.
2. God comes this Day and knocks at many Persons Doors, and at your Door among the Rest. God seems to be come in a very unusual Manner amongst us, upon a gracious and merciful Design, a Design of saving a Number of poor miserable Souls out of a lost and perishing Condition, and bringing them into a happy State, in Safety from Misery, and a Title to eternal Glory! This is offered to you, not only as it has always been in the Word and Ordinances, but by the particular Influences of the Spirit of Christ awakening of you! This special Offer is made to many amongst us; and you be not pass'd over: Christ has not forgot or over looked you; but has come to your Door; and there as it were stands waiting for you to open to him. If you have Wisdom & Discretion to discern your own Advantage, you will know that now is your Opportunity.
3. How much more easily converting Grace is obtained at such a Time, than at other Times. The Work is equally easy with GOD at all Times; but there is far less Difficulty in the Way, as to Men, at such a Time, than at other Times. It is, as I said before, a Day of God's gracious Visitation, a Day that he has as it were set apart for the more liberally and bountifully dispensing his Grace; a Day wherein God's Hand is opened wide: Experience shows it. God seems to be more ready to help, to give proper Convictions, to help against Temptations, and let in divine Light: He seems to carry on his Work, with a more glorious Discovery of his Power, and Satan is more chained up than at other Times: Those Difficulties & Temptations that Persons before stuck at, from Year to Year, they are soon helped over: The Work of God is carried on with greater Speed and Swiftness, and there are often Instances of sudden Conversion at such a Time. So it was in the Apostle's Days, when there was a Time of the most extraordinary pouring out of the Spirit that ever was: How quick and sudden were Conversion in those Days! Such