N07809:168
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 3
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.
Particular texts of scripture, that show that God's glory is an ultimate end of the creation.
PArticular texts of scripture, that shew that God's glory is an ultimate end of the creation.
WHAT God says in Isai. 48. 11. naturally leads us to suppose, that the way in which God makes himself his end in his work or works which he does for his own sake, is in making his glory his end. "For my own sake, even for my own sake will I do it. For how should my name be polluted: and I will not give my glory to another". Which is as much as to say, I will obtain my end, I will not forego my glory: another shall not take this prize from me. 'Tis pretty evident here, that God's name and his glory, which seems to intend the same thing (as shall be observed more particularly afterwards) are spoken of as his last end in the great work mentioned, not as an inferior subordinate end, subservient to the interest of others. The words are emphatical. The emphasis and repetition constrain us to understand that what God does, is ultimately for his own sake: "For my own sake, even for my own sake will I do it."
So the words of the apostle, in Rom. 11. 36. naturally lead us to suppose that the way in which all things are to God, is in being for his glory. "For of him, and through him, and to him are all things. to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen". In the preceding context the apostle observes the marvellous disposals of divine wisdom, for causing all things to be to him in their final issue and result, as they are from him at first, & governed by him. His discourse shows how God contrived and brought this to pass in his disposition of things, viz. by setting up the kingdom of Christ in the world; leaving the jews, and calling the gentiles; and in what he would hereafter do in bringing in the jews with the fullness of the gentiles; with the circumstances of these wonderful works, so as greatly to show his justice and his goodness, magnify his grace, and manifest the sovereignty and freeness of it, and the absolute dependence of all on him—And then in the four last verses, breaks out into a most pathetic rapturous exclamation, expressing his great admiration of the depth of divine wisdom in the