N05520:21
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.
If there be any Thing that the Devils have, or find in themselves, which is an Evidence of the saving Grace of the Spirit of GOD, then the Apostle's Argument is not good; which is plainly this: That which is in the Devils, or which they do, is no certain Evidence of Grace. But the Devils believe that there is one GOD. Therefore, thy believing that there is one GOD, is no sure Evidence that thou art gracious. So that the whole Foundation of the Apostle's Argument, lies in that Proposition: That which is in the Devils, is no certain Sign of Grace.
Nevertheless, I shall mention two or three further Reasons, or Arguments of the Truth of this Doctrine.
I. The Devils have no Degree of Holiness: And therefore, those Things, which are Nothing beyond what they are the Subjects of, cannot be holy Experiences.
The Devil once was holy; but when he fell, he lost all his Holiness, and became perfectly wicked. He is the greatest Sinner, and in some Sense, the Father of all Sin. John viii. 44. Ye are of your Father the Devil, and the Lusts of your Father ye will do. He was a Murderer from the Beginning,