N03467:485
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.
There is something peculiarly heinous in sinning against the Mercy of God more than other Attributes. There is such base and horrid Ingratitude, in being the worse to God because he is a Being of infinite Goodness and Grace, that it above all Things renders Wickedness vile and detestable. This ought to win us, and engage us to serve God better; but instead of that, to sin against him the more, has something inexpressibly bad in it, and does in a peculiar Manner enhance Guilt, and incense Wrath; as seems to be intimated in Rom. 2 4, 5 Or despisest thou the Riches of his Goodness, and Forbearance, and Long suffering▪ not knowing that the Goodness of God leadeth thee to Repentance: But after thy Hardness and impenitent Heart, treasurest up unto thy self […] against the Day of Wrath, and Revelation of the righteous Judgment of God.
There is something peculiarly heinous in sinning against the Mercy of God more than other Attributes. There is such base and horrid Ingratitude, in being the worse to God because he is a Being of infinite Goodness and Grace, that it above all Things renders Wickedness vile and detestable. This ought to win us, and engage us to serve God better; but instead of that, to sin against him the more, has something inexpressibly bad in it, and does in a peculiar Manner enhance Guilt, and incense Wrath; as seems to be intimated in Rom. 2 4, 5 Or despisest thou the Riches of his Goodness, and Forbearance, and Long suffering▪ not knowing that the Goodness of God leadeth thee to Repentance: But after thy Hardness and impenitent Heart, treasurest up unto thy self 〈…〉 against the Day of Wrath, and Revelation of the righteous Judgment of God.
The greater the Mercy of God is, the more should you be engaged to love him, and live to his Glory. But it has been contrariwise with you; the Consideration of the Mercies of God being so exceeding great, is the Thing where with you have encouraged your self in Sin. You have heard that the Mercy of God was without Bounds, that it was sufficient to pardon the greatest Sinner, and you have upon that very Account, ventured to be a very great Sinner: Though it was very offensive to God, though you heard that God infinitely hated Sin, and that such Practices as you went on in were exceeding contrary to his Nature, Will, and Glory, yet that did not make you uneasy; you heard that he was a very merciful God, and had Grace enough to pardon you & so cared not how offensive your Sins were to him. How long have some of you gone on in Sin, and what great Sins have some of you been guilty of, on that Presumption! Your own Conscience can give Testimony to it, that this has made you refuse God's Calls, and has made you Regardless of his repeated Commands. Now, how righteous would it be if God should swear in his Wrath, that you should never be the better for his being infinitely merciful!