N03467:637
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.
Would you choose a Friend that is a Person of great Dignity?—It is a Thing taking with Men to have those for their Friends that are much above them; because they look upon themselves honoured by the Friendship of such. Thus how taking would it be with an inferior Maid, to be the Object of the dear Love of some great and excellent Prince. But Christ is infinitely above you, and above all the Princes of the Earth; for he is the King of Kings.—So honourable a Person as this offers himself to you, in the nearest and dearest Friendship.
And would you choose to have a Friend not only great but good?—In Christ infinite Greatness, and infinite Goodness meet together, and receive Lustre and Glory one from another. His Greatness is rendered lovely by his Goodness. The greater any one is without Goodness, so much the greater Evil; but when infinite Goodness is joined with Greatness, it renders it a glorious ⟨p. 279⟩and adorable Greatness. So on the other Hand, his infinite Goodness receives Lustre from his Greatness. He that is of great Understanding and Ability, and is withal of a good and excellent Disposition, is deservedly more esteemed, than a lower and lesser Being, with the same kind Inclination and Good Will. Indeed Goodness is excellent in whatever Subject it be found; it is Beauty and Excellency it self, and renders all excellent that are possessed of it; and yet more excellent when joined with Greatness; as the very same excellent Qualities of Gold, do render the Body in which they are inherent more precious, and of greater Value, when joined with greater, than when with lesser Dimensions. And how glorious is the Sight, to see him who is the great Creator and supreme Lord of Heaven and Earth, full of Condescension, and tender Pity and Mercy, towards the mean and unworthy! His almighty Power, and infinite Majesty and Self Sufficiency render his exceeding Love and Grace the more surprising. And how do his Condescension and Compassions endear his Majesty, Power, and Dominion, and render those Attributes pleasant, that would otherwise be only terrible! Would you not desire that your Friend, though great and honourable, should be of such Condescension and Grace, and so to have the Way opened to free Access to him, that his Exaltation above you might not hinder your free Enjoyment of his Friendship?