N05520:57
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 follows from the Doctrine, that it can be no certain Sign of Grace, that Persons have had great Convictions of Sin; have had their Sins of Life, with their Aggravations remarkably set before them, so as greatly to affect and terrify them; and withal, have had a great Sight of the Wickedness of their Hearts, and been convinced of the Greatness of the Sin of Unbelief, and of the Unexcuseableness and Heinousness of their most secret spiritual Iniquities; and have been brought to be convinced of the utter Insufficiency of their own Righteousness; and to despair of being recommended to GOD by it; have been as much brought off from their own Righteousness, as ever any are, under a mere legal Humiliation; have been convinced that they are wholly without Excuse before GOD, and deserve Damnation; and that GOD would be just, in executing the threatened Punishment upon them, tho' it be so dreadful. All these Things, will be in all the Ungodly at the Day of Judgment, when they shall stand with Devils, at the Left Hand, and shall be doomed as accursed, to everlasting Fire, with them.
Therefore, it follows from the Doctrine, that it can be no certain Sign of Grace, that Persons have had great Convictions of Sin; have had their Sins of Life, with their Aggravations remarkably set before them, so as greatly to affect and terrify them; and withal, have had a great Sight of the Wickedness of their Hearts, and been convinced of the Greatness of the Sin of Unbelief, and of the Unexcuseableness and Heniousness of their most secret spiritual Iniquities; and have been brought to be convinced of the utter Insufficiency of their own Righteousness; and to despair of being recommended to GOD by it; have been as much brought off from their own Righteousness, as ever any are, under a meer legal Humiliation; have been convinced that they are wholly without Excuse before GOD, and deserve Damnation; and that GOD would be just, in executing the threaten'd Punishment upon them, tho' it be so dreadful. All these Things, will be in all the Ungodly at the Day of Judgment, when they shall stand with Devils, at the Left Hand, and shall be doomed as accursed, to everlasting Fire, with them.
Indeed there will be no Submission in them. Their Conscience will be convinced, that GOD is just in their Condemnation; but yet their Wills will not be bowed to GOD's Justice. There will be no Acquiescence of Mind, in that divine Attribute; no yielding of the Soul to GOD's Sovereignty, but the highest Degree of Enmity and Opposition. A true Submission of the Hear and Will, to the Justice and Sovereignty of GOD, is therefore allowed to be something peculiar to true Converts, being something which the Devils and damned Souls are, and ever will be far from; and which a mere Work of the Law, and Convictions of Conscience, however great and clear, will never bring Men to.