N07809:69
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 1 › Section 1
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.
still every part must be considered according to it's weight and importance, or the measure it has of existence and excellence. To determine then, what proportion of regard is to be allotted to the creator, and all his creatures taken together, both must be as it were put in the balance;—the supreme Being, with all in him, that is great, considerable, & excellent, is to be estimated and compared with all that is to be found in the whole creation: And according as the former is found to out-weigh, in such proportion is he to have a greater share of regard.—And in this case, as the whole system of created beings in comparison of the creator, would be found as the light dust of the balance (which is taken notice of by him that weighs) and as nothing and vanity; so the arbiter must determine accordingly with respect to the degree in which God should be regarded by all intelligent existence, and the degree in which he should be regarded in all that is done through' the whole universal system; in all actions and proceedings, determinations and effects whatever, whether creating, preserving, using, disposing, changing, or destroying. And as the creator is infinite, and has all possible existence, perfection and excellence, so he must have all possible regard. As he is every way the first and supreme, and as his excellency is in all respects the supreme beauty and glory, the original good, and fountain of all good; so he must have in all respects the supreme regard. And as he is God over all, to whom all are properly subordinate, and on whom all depend, worthy to reign as supreme head with absolute and universal dominion; so it is fit that he should be so regarded by all & in all proceedings & effects through' the whole system: •hat this universality of things in their whole compass and ⟨p. 17⟩series should look to him and respect him in such a manner as that respect to him should reign over all respect to other things and that regard to creatures should universally be subordinate and subject.
still every part must be considered according to it's weight and importance, or the measure it has of existence and excellence. To determine then, what proportion of regard is to be allotted to the creator, and all his creatures taken together, both must be as it were put in the balance;—the supreme Being, with all in him, that is great, considerable, & excellent, is to be estimated and compared with all that is to be found in the whole creation: And according as the former is found to out-weigh, in such proportion is he to have a greater share of regard.—And in this case, as the whole system of created beings in comparison of the creator, would be found as the light dust of the balance (which is taken notice of by him that weighs) and as nothing and vanity; so the arbiter must determine accordingly with respect to the degree in which God should be regarded by all intelligent existence, and the degree in which he should be regarded in all that is done thro' the whole universal system; in all actions and proceedings, determinations and effects whatever, whether creating, preserving, using, disposing, changing, or destroying. And as the creator is infinite, and has all possible existence, perfection and excellence, so he must have all possible regard. As he is every way the first and supreme, and as his excellency is in all respects the supreme beauty and glory, the original good, and fountain of all good; so he must have in all respects the supreme regard. And as he is God over all, to whom all are properly subordinate, and on whom all depend, worthy to reign as supreme head with absolute and universal dominion; so it is fit that he shou'd be so regarded by all & in all proceedings & effects thro' the whole system: hat this universality of things in their whole compass and