N07809:245
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 5
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.
2. THE work of redemption wrought out by Jesus Christ, is spoken of in such a manner as being from the grace and love of God to men, that does not well consist with his seeking a communication of good to them, only subordinately, i. e. not at all from any inclination to their good directly, or delight in giving happiness to them, simply and ultimately considered; but only indirectly, and wholly from a regard to something entirely diverse, which it is a means of. Such expressions as that in Joh. 3. 16. carry another idea. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life". And 1 Joh. 4. 9. 10. "In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love; not that we loved God but that he loved us, and sent his son to be a propitiation for our sins". So Eph. 2. 4. "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, &c". But if indeed this was only from love to something else, and a regard to a further end, entirely diverse from our good; then all the love is truly terminated in that, its ultimate object! and God's love consists in regard towards that: and therein is God's love, and therein is his love manifested, strictly and properly speaking, and not in that he loved us, or exercised such high regard towards us. For if our good be not at all regarded ultimately, but only subordinately, then our good or interest is in itself considered, nothing in God's regard or love: God's respect is all terminated upon, and swallowed up in something diverse, which is the end, and not in the means.
2. THE work of redemption wrought out by Jesus Christ, is spoken of in such a manner as being from the grace and love of God to men, that does not well consist with his seeking a communication of good to them, only subordinately, i. e. not at all from any inclination to their good directly, or delight in giving happiness to them, simply and ultimately consider'd; but only indirectly, and wholly from a regard to something entirely diverse, which it is a means of. Such expressions as that in Joh. 3. 16