N03467:52
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. How this is said to be by Faith alone, without any manner of Virtue or Goodness of our own. This may seem to some to be attended with two difficulties, viz. How this can be said to be by Faith alone, without any Virtue or Goodness of ours, when Faith it self is a Virtue, and one Part of our Goodness, and is not only some manner of goodness of ours, but is a very excellent Qualification, and one chief Part of the inherent Holiness of a Christian? And if it be a part of our inherent Goodness or Excellency, (whether it be this Part or any other,) that renders it a condecent or congruous Thing that we should have this Benefit of Christ assigned to us, what this is less than what they mean that talk of a Merit of Congruity? And moreover, if this Part of our Christian Holiness qualifies us in the Sight of ⟨p. 12⟩God, for this Benefit of Christ, and renders it a fit or meet Thing, in his Sight, that we should have it, why should not other Parts of Holiness, and Conformity to God, which are also very excellent, & have as much of the Image of Christ in them, and are no less lovely in God's Eyes, qualify us as much, and have as much Influence to render us meet, in God's Sight, for such a Benefit as this? Therefore I answer,
2. How this is said to be by Faith alone, without any manner of Vertue or Goodness of our own. This may seem to some to be attended with two difficulties, viz. How this can be said to be by Faith alone, without any Vertue or Goodness of ours, when Faith it self is a Vertue, and one Part of our Goodness, and is not only some manner of goodness of ours, but is a very excellent Qualification, and one chief Part of the inherent Holiness of a Christian? And if it be a part of our inherent Goodness or Excellency, (whether it be this Part or any other,) that renders it a condecent or congruous Thing that we should have this Benefit of Christ assigned to us, what this is less than what they mean that talk of a Merit of Congruity? And moreover, if this Part of our Christian Holiness qualifies us in the Sight of ⟨p. 12⟩God, for this Benefit of Christ, and renders it a fit or meet Thing, in his Sight, that we should have it, why should not other Parts of Holiness, and Conformity to God, which are also very excellent, & have as much of the Image of Christ in them, and are no less lovely in God's Eyes, qualify us as much, and have as much Influence to render us meet, in God's Sight, for such a Benefit as this? Therefore I answer,