N13259:114
Sermons, on the following subjects
Sermons, on the following subjects; The manner in which salvation is to be sought. The unreasonableness of indetermination in religion. Unbelievers contemn the glory of Christ. The folly of looking back in fleeing out of Sodom. The warnings of Scripture in the best manner adapted to the awakening and conversion of sinners. Hypocrites deficient in the duty of prayer. The future punishment of the wicked unavoidable and intolerable. The eternity of hell-torments. The peace which Christ gives his true followers. The perpetuity & change of the Sabbath. / By the late Reverend Mr. Jonathan Edwards, president of the College of New-Jersey.
Hartford: printed by Hudson and Goodwin, 1780
Sermon 2: The unreasonableness of Indetermination in Religion.
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. GOD hath made us reasonable creatures and capable of rationally determining for ourselves. GOD hath made us capable of a good acquaintance with those things, which do especially concern our interest. Doubtless GOD hath made man capable of discovering the truth in matters of religion, of coming to a good determination in these questions, whether the scriptures be the word of GOD, whether there be a future state, and the like. The resolution of these questions, which it so much concerns us to determine, is not above our capacities. GOD hath not set these things beyond the extent of our faculties.
SO GOD hath made us capable of making a wise choice for ourselves, as to the life which we shall choose to lead. He hath given man so much understanding, as to make him capable of determining which is best, to lead a life of self-denial and enjoy eternal happiness, or to take our swing in sinful enjoyments and burn in hell for ever. The question is of no difficult determination.—It is so far from being a matter too hard for our reason, that the reason of a child is sufficient to determine this matter. ⟨p. 46⟩Therefore men in remaining undetermined in these matters, do not act as reasonable creatures, but make themselves like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding. Psal. xxxii. 9.
3. GOD puts into our hands an happy opportunity to determine for ourselves. What better opportunity can a man desire to consult his own interest, than to have liberty to choose his own portion? GOD setteth life and death before us. Deut. xxx. 19