N13259:132
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
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. IF you are fully come to a determination concerning the things of religion, that they are true, they will be of weight with you above all things in the world. If you be really convinced that these things are true, that they are no fable, but reality, it is impossible but that you be influenced by them above all things in the world; for these things are so great, and so infinitely exceed all temporal things, that it cannot be otherwise. He that really is convinced that there is a heaven and hell, and an eternal judgment; that the soul as soon as parted from the body, appears before the judgment seat of GOD; and that the happiness and misery of a future state is as great as the scripture represents it; or that GOD is as holy, just and jealous, as he hath declared concerning himself in his word; I say, he that is really convinced and hath settled it with himself, that these things are certainly true; will regard them and be influenced by them above all things in the world. He will be more concerned by far how he shall escape eternal damnation, and have the favour of GOD and eternal life, than how he shall get the world, gratify the flesh, ⟨p. 52⟩please his neighbours, get honour, or obtain any temporal advantage whatsoever. His main inquiry will not be what shall I eat, and what shall I drink, &c but he will seek first the kingdom of GOD and his righteousness.
EXAMINE yourselves therefore by this: Are not your hearts chiefly set upon the world and the things of it? Is it not more your concern, care and endeavour to further your outward interest, then to secure an interest in heaven? And is not this the very reason, that you have never seen the reality of eternal things.
SECONDLY, inquire, whether you have eve• yet come to a determination about religion with respect to the practice of it; whether you have chosen heaven with the way to it, viz. the way of obedience and self denial, before this world and the ways of sin; whether you have determined upon it as most eligible, to devote yourselves to the service of GOD.—Here I shall mention three or four things, which are signs that men halt between two opinions in this matter.