N05520:62
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.
This we may certainly determine, that, if the Apostle's Argument in the Text be good, not any Thing whatsoever, that the Devils have, is certainly connected with such a Consequence. Seeing Sinners, while such, are capable of the most perfect Convictions, and will have them at the Day of Judgment, and in Hell; who shall say, that GOD never shall cause Reprobates to anticipate the future Judgment and Damnation in that Respect? And if He does so, who shall say to Him, what doest Thou? Or call him to Account concerning his Ends in so doing. Not but that many possible wise Ends might be thought of, and mentioned, if it were needful, or I had now Room for it.—The Spirit of GOD, is often quenched, by the Exercise of the Wickedness of Men's Hearts, after he has gone far in a Work of Conviction; so that their Convictions never have a good Issue. And who can say that Sinners, by the Exercise of their Opposition and Enmity against GOD, (which is not at all mortified by the greatest legal Convictions, neither in the Damned in Hell, nor Sinners on Earth) may not provoke GOD to take his Spirit from them, even after He has proceeded the greatest Length in a Work of Conviction? Who can say, that GOD never is provoked to destroy some, after he has brought 'em, as it were, through the Wilderness, even to the Edge of the Land of Rest? As he slew some of the Israelites, even in the Plains of Moab.
This we may certainly determine, that, if the Apostle's Argument in the Text be good, not any Thing whatsoever, that the Devils have, is certainly connected with such a Consequence. Seeing Sinners, while such, are capable of the most perfect Convictions, and will have them at the Day of Judgment, and in Hell; who shall say, that GOD never shall cause Reprobates to anticipate the future Judgment and Damnation in that Respect? And if He does so, who shall say to Him, what doest Thou? Or call him to Account concerning his Ends in so doing. Not but that many possible wise Ends might be thought of, and mention'd, if it were needful, or I had now Room for it.—The Spirit of GOD, is often quenched, by the Exercise of the Wickedness of Men's Hearts, after he has gone far in a Work of Conviction; so that their Convictions never have a good Issue. And who can say that Sinners, by the Exercise of their Opposition and Enmity against GOD, (which is not at all mortified by the greatest legal Convictions, neither in the Damned in Hell, nor Sinners on Earth) may not provoke GOD to take his Spirit from them, even after He has proceeded the greatest Length in a Work of Conviction? Who can say, that GOD never is provoked to destroy some, after he has brought 'em, as it were, through the Wilderness, even to the Edge of the Land of Rest? As he slew some of the Israelites, even in the Plains of Moab.