N05520:43
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.
Therefore it is manifest, from my Text and Doctrine, that no Degree of speculative Knowledge of Things of Religion, is any certain Sign of true Piety. Whatever clear Notions a Man may have of the Attributes of GOD, and Doctrine of the Trinity; the Nature of the two Covenants, the Economy of the Persons of the Trinity, and the Part which each Person has in the Affair of Man's Redemption; if he can Discourse never so excellently of the Offices of CHRIST, and the Way of Salvation by him, and the admirable Methods of divine Wisdom; and the Harmony of the ⟨p. 13⟩various Attributes of GOD in that Way; if he can talk never so clearly and exactly of the Method of the Justification of a Sinner, and of the Nature of Conversion, and the Operations of the Spirit of GOD, in applying the Redemption of CHRIST; giving good Distinctions, happily solving Difficulties, and answering Objections; in a Manner tending greatly to the enlightening the Ignorant, to the Edification of the Church of GOD, and the Conviction of Gainsayers; and the great Increase of Light in the World: If he has more Knowledge of this Sort than Hundreds of true Saints, of an ordinary Education, and most Divines; yet all is no certain Evidence of any Degree of saving Grace in the Heart.
Therefore it is manifest, from my Text and Doctrine, that no Degree of speculative Knowledge of Things of Religion, is any certain Sign of true Piety. Whatever clear Notions a Man may have of the Attributes of GOD, and Doctrine of the Trinity; the Nature of the two Covenants, the OEconomy of the Persons of the Trinity, and the Part which each Person has in the Affair of Man's Redemption; if he can Discourse never so excellently of the Offices of CHRIST, and the Way of Salvation by him, and the admirable Methods of divine Wisdom; and the Harmony of the ⟨p. 13⟩various Attributes of GOD in that Way; if he can talk never so clearly and exactly of the Method of the Justification of a Sinner, and of the Nature of Conversion, and the Operations of the Spirit of GOD, in applying the Redemption of CHRIST; giving good Distinctions, happily solving Difficulties, and answering Objections; in a Manner tending greatly to the enlightning the Ignorant, to the Edification of the Church of GOD, and the Conviction of Gainsayers; and the great Increase of Light in the World: If he has more Knowledge of this Sort than Hundreds of true Saints, of an ordinary Education, and most Divines; yet all is no certain Evidence of any Degree of saving Grace in the Heart.