N03467:844
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.
I can't say that there has been no Instance of any one Person that has carried himself so, that others should justly be stumbled concerning his Profession; nor am I •o vain as to imagine that we han't been mistaken concerning any that we have entertained a good Opinion of, or that there are none pass amongst us for Sheep, that are indeed, Wolves in Sheep's clothing; who probably may some time or other discover themselves by their Fruit. We are not so pure, but that we have great Cause to be humbled and ashamed, that we are so impure; nor so religious, but that those that watch for our Halting, may see things in us, whence they may take occasion to reproach us and Religion: but in the main, there has been a great and marvellous Work of Conversion and Sanctification among the People here; and they have paid all due Respects to those who have been blest of God to be the Instruments of it. Both old and young have shown a Forwardness to hearken not only to my Counsels, but even to my Reproofs from the Pulpit.
I can't say that there has been no Instance of any one Person that has carried hemself so, that others should justly be stumbled concerning his Profession; nor am I •o vain as to imagine that we han't been mistaken concerning any that we have entertain'd a good Opinion of, or that there are none pass amongst us for Sheep, that are indeed, Wolves in Sheep's cloathing; who probably may some time or other discover themselves by their Fruit. We are not so pure, but that we have great Cause to be humbled and asham'd, that we are so impure; nor so religious, but that those that watch for our Halting, may see things in us, whence they may take occasion to reproach us and Religion: but in the main, there has been a great and marvellous Work of Conversion and Sanctification among the People here; and they have paid all due Respects to those who have been blest of God to be the Instruments of it. Both old and young have shewn a Forwardness to hearken not only to my Counsels, but even to my Reproofs from the Pulpit.
A great part of the Country have not received the most favourable Thoughts of this Affair; and to this day many retain a Jealousy concerning it, and Prejudice against it: I have Reason to think that the meanness and weakness of the Instrument, that has been made use of in this Town, has prejudiced many against it; it don't appear to me strange that it should be so: But yet this Circumstance of this great Work of God, is analogous to other Circumstances of it: God has so ordered the manner of the Work in many Respects, as very signally and remarkably to show it to be his own peculiar and immediate Work, and to secure the Glory of it wholly to his own Almighty Power, and Sovereign Grace. And whatever the Circumstances and Means have been, and tho' we are so unworthy, yet so hath it pleased God to work! And we are evidently a People blessed of the Lord! And here, in this Corner of the World, God dwells, and manifests his Glory.