N05520:101
True grace, distinguished from the experience of devils; in a sermon, preached before the…
True grace, distinguished from the experience of devils; in a sermon, preached before the Synod of New-York, convened at New-Ark, in New-Jersey, on September 28. N.S. 1752. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the Church of Christ in Stockbridge in New-England. ; (Printed by the desire of the synod.) : [Four lines from II. Corinthians]
New-York: printed by James Parker, 1753
Title page typeset from the transcription.
TRUE GRACE, Distinguished from the EXPERIENCE OF DEVILS. › IMPROVEMENT.
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.
This Sense of divine Beauty, is the first Thing in the actual Change made in the Soul, in true Conversion, and is the Foundation of every Thing else belonging to that Change; as is evident by those Words of the Apostle, 2 Cor. iii. 18. But we all with open Face, beholding as in a Glass, the ⟨p. 38⟩Glory of the Lord, are changed into the same Image, from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2. Truly gracious Affections and Exercises of Mind differ from such as are counterfeit, which arise from no higher Principles than are in the Hearts of Devils, in their Tendency: And that in these two Respects.
(1.) They are of a Tendency and Influence very contrary to that, which was especially the Devil's Sin, even Pride. That Pride was in a peculiar Manner the Devil's Sin, is manifest from 1 Tim. iii. 6. Not a Novice left, being lifted up with Pride, he fell into the Condemnation of the Devil. False and delusive Experiences evermore tend to this; tho' oftentimes under the Disguise of great and extraordinary Humility. Spiritual Pride, is the prevailing Temper, and general Character of Hypocrites, deluded with false Discoveries and Affections. They are in general, of a Disposition directly contrary to those two Things belonging to the Christian Temper, directed to by the Apostle; the One in Rom. xii. 16. Be not wise in your own Conceit; and the other in