N05520:83
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.
But yet, it is evident, that Men in this World, may have Things of the same Kind with Devils and damned Men. The same sort of Light in the Understanding; the same Views, and the same Affections; the same Sense of Things, the same Kind of Impressions on the Mind, and on the Heart. If the Objection is against the Conclusiveness of the Reasoning that has been made use of to prove this; 'tis against the Conclusiveness of that Reasoning which is the Apostle's, more properly than mine. The Apostle judged it, a conclusive Argument, against such as thought their believing there was one GOD, an Evidence of their being gracious; that the Devils believed the same. So the Argument is exactly the same, against such as think they have Grace, because they believe GOD is a holy GOD, or because they have a Sense of the awful Majesty of GOD. The same may be observed of other Things that have been mentioned. My Text has Reference not only to the Act of the Understandings of Devils in believing, but to that Affection of their Hearts, which accompanies the Views they have: As trembling is an Effect of the Affection of the Heart. Which shows, that ⟨p. 30⟩if Men have both the same Views of Understanding, and also the same Affections of Heart, that the Devils have, it is no Sign of Grace.
But yet, it is evident, that Men in this World, may have Things of the same Kind with Devils and damned Men. The same sort of Light in the Understanding; the same Views, and the same Affections; the same Sense of Things, the same Kind of Impressions on the Mind, and on the Heart. If the Objection is against the Conclusiveness of the Reasoning that has been made use of to prove this; 'tis against the Conclusiveness of that Reasoning which is the Apostle's, more properly than mine. The Apostle judged it, a conclusive Argument, against such as thought their believing there was one GOD, an Evidence of their being gracious; that the Devils believed the same. So the Argument is exactly the same, against such as think they have Grace, because they believe GOD is a holy GOD, or because they have a Sense of the awful Majesty of GOD. The same may be observed of other Things that have been mentioned. My Text has Reference not only to the Act of the Understandings of Devils in believing, but to that Affection of their Hearts, which accompanies the Views they have: As trembling is an Effect of the Affection of the Heart. Which shews, that ⟨p. 30⟩