N05520:63
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.
And let it be considered, where is our Warrant in Scripture, to make use of any legal Convictions, or any Method or Order of successive Events in a Work of the Law; and consequent Comforts, as a sure Sign of Regeneration. The Scripture is abundant, in expressly mentioning Evidences of Grace, and of a State of Favour with GOD, and Characteristics of the true Saints: But where do we ever find such ⟨p. 22⟩Things as these, amongst those Evidences? Or where do we find any other Signs insisted on, besides Grace itself, it's Nature, Exercises and Fruits? These were the Evidences that Job relied upon; These were the Things that the Psalmist, every where insists upon, as Evidences of his Sincerity: And particularly in the cxix Psalm, from the Beginning to the End. These were the Signs that Hezekiah trusted to, in his Sickness.
And let it be considered, where is our Warrant in Scripture, to make use of any legal Convictions, or any Method or Order of successive Events in a Work of the Law; and consequent Comforts, as a sure Sign of Regeneration. The Scripture is abundant, in expressly mentioning Evidences of Grace, and of a State of Favour with GOD, and Characteristicks of the true Saints: But where do we ever find such ⟨p. 22⟩Things as these, amongst those Evidences? Or where do we find any other Signs insisted on, besides Grace itself, it's Nature, Exercises and Fruits? These were the Evidences that Job relied upon; These were the Things that the Psalmist, every where insists upon, as Evidences of his Sincerity: And particularly in the cxix Psalm, from the Beginning to the End. These were the Signs that Hezekiah trusted to, in his Sickeness.
These were the Characteristics given of those that are truly happy, by our Saviour, in the Beginning of his Sermon in the Mount. These are the Things that CHRIST mentions, as the true Evidences of being his real Disciples, in his last, and dying Discourse to his Disciples, in the xiv. xv. and xvi. Chapters of John; and in his intercessary Prayer, Chap. xvii. These are the Things which the Apostle Paul, often speaks of, as Evidences of his Sincerity, and sure Title to a Crown of Glory. And these are the Things he often mentions to others, in his Epistles, as the proper Evidences of real Christianity; a justified State, and a Title to Glory. He insists on the Fruits of the Spirit; Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance, as the proper Evidences of being CHRIST's, and living in the Spirit: