N07809:147
Two dissertations, I. Concerning the end for which God created the world. II. The…
Two dissertations, I. Concerning the end for which God created the world. II. The nature of true virtue. / by the late Reverend, learned and pious Jonathan Edwards, A.M. president of the College in New-Jersey.
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland, 1765
Concerning the END for which GOD created the WORLD. › Chapter 2 › Sect 2
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.
SECT. II.
Wherein some positions are advanced concerning a just method of arguing in this affair, from what we find in holy scriptures.
WHerein some positions are advanced concerning a just method of arguing in this affair, from what we find in holy scriptures.
WE have seen that the scriptures speak of the creation of the world as being for God, as its end. What remains therefore to be enquired into, is, which way do the scriptures represent God as making himself his end?
IT is evident that God don't make his existence or being the end of the creation; nor can he be supposed to do so without great absurdity. His being and existence can't be conceived of but as prior to any of God's acts or designs: they must be presupposed as the ground of them. Therefore it can't be in this way that God makes himself the end of his creating the world. He can't create the world to the end that he may have existence; or may have such attributes and perfections, and such an essence. Nor do the scriptures give the least intimation of any such thing. Therefore, what divine effect, or what is it in relation to God, that is the thing which the scripture teacheth us to be the end he aimed at in his works of creation, in designing of which, he makes himself his end?