N05272:117
A farewell-sermon preached at the first precinct in Northampton, after the people's public rejection…A farewel-sermon preached at the first precinct in Northampton, after the people's publick rejection…
A farewell-sermon preached at the first precinct in Northampton, after the people's public rejection of their minister, and renouncing their relation to him as pastor of the church there, on June 22, 1750. : Occasioned by difference of sentiments, concerning the requisite qualifications of members of the church, in complete standing. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. ; [Twelve lines of Scripture texts]A farewel-sermon preached at the first precinct in Northampton, after the people's publick rejection of their minister, and renouncing their relation to him as pastor of the church there, on June 22, 1750. : Occasion'd by difference of sentiments, concerning the requisite qualifications of members of the church, in compleat standing. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. ; [Twelve lines of Scripture texts]
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland over agianst the prison, 1751
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.
III. I would address my self to those who are under some Awakenings.
Blessed be God, that there are some such, and that (although' I have Reason to fear I leave Multitudes in this large Congregation in a Christless State) yet I don't leave 'em all in total Stupidity and Carelessness about their Souls. Some of you, that I have Reason to hope are under some Awakenings, have acquainted me with your Circumstances; which has a Tendency to cause me, now I am leaving you, to take my Leave of you with peculiar Concern for you. What will be the Issue of your present Exercise of Mind I know not: But it will be known at that Day, when you and I shall meet before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Therefore now be much in Consideration of that Day.
Blessed be God, that there are some such, and that (altho' I have Reason to fear I leave Multitudes in this large Congregation in a Christless State) yet I don't leave 'em all in total Stupidity and Carelessness about their Souls. Some of you, that I have Reason to hope are under some Awakenings, have acquainted me with your Circumstances; which has a Tendency to cause me, now I am leaving you, to take my Leave of you with peculiar Concern for you. What will be the Issue of your present Exercise of Mind I know not: But it will be known at that Day, when you and I shall meet before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Therefore now be much in Consideration of that Day.
Now I am parting with this Flock, I would once more press upon you the Counsels I have heretofore given, to take heed of being slighty in so great a Concern, to be thorough and in good earnest in the Affair, and to beware of Backsliding, to hold on and hold out to the End. And cry mightily to God that these great Changes that pass over this Church and Congregation don't prove your Overthrow. There is great Temptation in them; and the Devil will undoubtedly seek to make his Advantage of them, if possible to cause your present Convictions and Endeavours to be abortive. You had need to double your Diligence, and watch and pray least you be overcome by Temptation.