N03467:382
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.
Naomi was now returning out of the Land of Moab, into the Land of Israel, with her two Daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth; who well represent to us, two Sorts of Professors of Religion; Orpah that Sort, that indeed make a fair Profession, and seem to set out well, but dure but for a while, and then turn back; Ruth that Sort, that are sound and sincere, and therefore are steadfast and persevering in the Way that they have set out in. Naomi, in the preceding Verses represents to these her Daughters the Difficulties of their leaving their own Country to go with her. And in this Verse may be observed,
Naomi was now returning out of the Land of Moab, into the Land of Israel, with her two Daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth; who well represent to us, two Sorts of Professors of Religion; Orpah that Sort, that indeed make a fair Profession, and seem to set out well, but dure but for a while, and then turn back; Ruth that Sort, that are sound and sincere, and therefore are stedfast and persevering in the Way that they have set out in. Naomi, in the preceeding Verses represents to these her Daughters the Difficulties of their leaving their own Country to go with her. And in this Verse may be observed,
1. The remarkable Conduct and Behaviour of Ruth on this Occasion; with what inflexible Resolution she cleaves to Naomi, and follows her. When Naomi first arose to return from the Country of Moab, into the Land ⟨p. 175⟩of Israel, Orpah and Ruth both set out with her: And Naomi exhorts them both to return: And they both of them wept, and seemed as if they could not bear the Thoughts of leaving her, and appeared as if they were resolved to go with her. Verse 10. And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee, unto thy People. Then Naomi says to them again, Turn again my Daughters▪ go your Way, &c. And then they were greatly affected again, and Orpah returned and went back. Now Ruth's Steadfastness in her Purpose had a greater Trial, but yet is not overcome: She clave unto her, Verse 14. Then Naomi speaks to her again, Verse 15. Behold thy Sister in law is gone back unto her People, and unto her gods; Return thou after thy Sister in-law. And then she shows her immovable Resolution in the Text and following Verse.