N05663:296
A careful and strict enquiry into the modern prevailing notions of that freedom of…
A careful and strict enquiry into the modern prevailing notions of that freedom of will, which is supposed to be essential to moral agency, virtue and vice, reward and punishment, praise and blame. By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the church in Stockbridge. ; [One line from Romans]A careful and strict enquiry into the modern prevailing notions of that freedom of will, which is supposed to be essential to moral agency, vertue and vice, reward and punishment, praise and blame. By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the church in Stockbridge. ; [One line from Romans]
printed by S. Kneeland, 1754
Part 2 › Section 11: The Evidence of GOD's certain Foreknowledge of the Volitions of moral Agents.
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.
A very great Part of the Prophecies of the Old Testament is taken up in such Predictions as these.— And here I would observe, that the Prophecies of the universal Prevalence of the Kingdom of the Messiah, and true Religion of Jesus Christ, are delivered in the most peremptory Manner, and confirmed by the Oath of God. Isai. xlv.22, to the End, Look to me, and be ye saved, all the Ends of the Earth; for I am God, and there is none else. I have SWORN by my Self, the Word is gone out of my Mouth in Righteousness, and shall not return, that unto Me every Knee shall bow; and every Tongue shall swear. SURELY, shall one say, in the Lord have I Righteousness and Strength: even to Him shall Men come &c. But here this peremptory Declaration, and great Oath of the most High, are delivered with such mighty Solemnity, to Things which God did not know, if He did not certainly foresee the Volitions of moral Agents.
And all the Predictions of Christ and his Apostles, to the like Purpose, must be without Knowledge: As those of our Saviour comparing the Kingdom of God to a Grain of Mustard-Seed, growing exceeding great, from a small Beginning; and to Leaven, hid in three Measures of Meal, 'till the whole was leavened, &c.—And the Prophecies in the Epistles concerning the Restoration of the Nation of the Jews to the true Church of God, and the bringing in the Fullness of the Gentiles; and the Prophecies in all the Revelation concerning the glorious Change in the moral State of the World of Mankind, attending the Destruction of Antichrist, the Kingdoms of the World becoming the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ; and it's being granted to the Church to be arrayed in that fine Linen, white and clean, which is the Righteousness of Saints, &c.
And all the Predictions of Christ and his Apostles, to the like Purpose, must be without Knowledge: As those of our Saviour comparing the Kingdom of God to a Grain of Mustard-Seed, growing exceeding great, from a small Beginning; and to Leaven, hid in three Measures of Meal, 'till the whole was leaven'd, &c.—And the Prophecies in the Epistles concerning the Restoration of the Nation of the Iews to the true Church of God, and the bringing in the Fulness of the Gentiles; and the Prophecies in all the Revelation concerning the glorious Change in the moral State of the World of Mankind, attending the Destruction of Antichrist, the Kingdoms of the World becoming the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ; and it's being granted to the Church to be arrayed in that fine Linnen, white and clean, which is the Righteousness of Saints, &c.