N05520:64
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.
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: Gal. v. 22.—25. 'Tis that Charity, or divine Love, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of Mercy, &c. that he insists on, as the most essential Evidence of true Godliness; without which, all other Things are Nothing. Such are the Signs which the Apostle James insists on, as the proper Evidence, of a truly wise and good Man: Jam. iii. 17. The Wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of Mercy and good Fruits, without Partiality, and without Hypocrisy. And such are the Signs of true Christianity, which the Apostle John insists on, throughout his Epistles. And we never have any where in the Bible, from the Beginning to the End of it, any other Signs of Godliness given, than such as these. If Persons have such Things as these apparently in them, it ought to be determined, that they are truly converted, without its being insisted, that it be first known, what Steps or Method the Spirit of GOD ⟨p. 23⟩took, to introduce these Things into the Soul; which oftentimes, is altogether untraceable. All the Works of GOD, are, in some Respects, unsearchable: But the Scripture, often represents the Works of the Spirit of GOD, as peculiarly so; Isai. xl. 13. Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his Counsellor, hath taught Him? Eccles. xi. 5. As thou knowest not what is the Way of the Spirit; nor how the Bones do grow in the Womb of her that is with Child; so thou knowest not the Works of GOD, who maketh All.