N05520:44
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.
'Tis true, the Scripture often speaks of Knowledge of divine Things, as what is peculiar to true Saints; as in John, xvii. This is eternal Life, that they might know thee, the only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, whom thou hast sent. Matt. xii. 27. No man knoweth the Son but the Father; neither knoweth any Man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Ps. ix. 10. They that know thy Name, will put their Trust in Thee. Philip. iii. 8. I count all Things but Loss, for the Excellency of the Knowledge of CHRIST JESUS my Lord. But then, we must understand it of a different Kind of Knowledge, from that speculative Understanding, which the Devil has to so great a Degree. It will also be allowed, that the spiritual saving Knowledge of GOD, and divine Things, greatly promotes speculative Knowledge; as it engages the Mind in its Search into Things of this Kind, and much assists to a distinct Understanding of them; so that, other Things being equal, they that have spiritual Knowledge, are much more likely than others, to have a good doctrinal Acquaintance with Things of Religion; but yet, such Acquaintance may be no distinguishing Characteristic of true Saints.
III. It may also be inferred from what has been observed, that for Persons merely to yield a speculative Assent to the Doctrines of Religion as true, is no certain Evidence of a State of Grace. My Text tells us, that the Devils believe, and as they believe that there is one GOD, so they believe the Truth of the Doctrines of Religion in general. The Devil ⟨p. 14⟩is orthodox in his Faith; he believes the true Scheme of Doctrine; he is no Deist, Socinian, Arian, Pelagian, or Antinomian; the Articles of his Faith are all found, and what he is thoroughly established in.