N05520:128
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.
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.
4. That the Reason why they are not fallen already, and don't fall now, is only that GOD's appointed Time is not come. For it is said, that when that due Time, or appointed Time comes, their Foot shall slide. Then they shall be left to fall, as they are inclined by their own Weight. GOD won't hold them up in these slippery Places any longer, but will let them go; and then, at that very Instant, they shall fall into Destruction; as he that stands in such slippery declining Ground on the Edge of a Pit that he can't stand alone, when he is let go, he immediately falls and is lost.
The Observation from the Words that I would now insist upon, is this, There is Nothing that keeps wicked Men, at any one Moment, out of Hell, but the mere Pleasure of GOD.
The Observation from the Words that I would now insist upon, is this, There is Nothing that keeps wicked Men, at any one Moment, out of Hell, but the meer Pleasure of GOD.
By the mere Pleasure of GOD, I mean his sovereign Pleasure, his arbitrary Will, restrained by no Obligation, hindered by no Manner of Difficulty, any more than if nothing else but GOD's mere Will had in the least Degree, or in any Respect whatsoever, any Hand in the Preservation of wicked Men one Moment.
By the meer Pleasure of GOD, I mean his sovereign Pleasure, his arbitrary Will, restrained by no Obligation, hinder'd by no Manner of Difficulty, any more than if nothing else but GOD's meer Will had in the least Degree, or in any Respect whatsoever, any Hand in the Preservation of wicked Men one Moment.