N13259:159
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.
UNBELIEVERS not only set little by the glory and excellency of CHRIST, but they set nothing by these things. Notwithstanding all the shows and pretences which many natural men make of respect to CHRIST, by speaking honourably of CHRIST in their prayers, and in their common conversation, and by coming to sacraments and attending other ordinances of CHRIST; yet indeed they do not set so much by all the glory and excellency of CHRIST, either the glory of his person, or the glory of his work as a Saviour, as they do by the smallest earthly enjoyment.
I PROCEED now to mention some EVIDENCES of the truth of this doctrine.
1. THEY never give CHRIST any honour on the account of this his glory and excellency. They may and often do pay CHRIST an external and seeming respect; but they do not honour CHRIST in their hearts. They have no exalting thoughts of CHRIST, no inward respect or reverence towards him: they have indeed no honourable, respectful thoughts of CHRIST. All their outward worship is only feigned; none of it arises from any real honour or respect in their hearts towards Christ. It is either only for fashions sake, and in compliance with custom, or else it is forced, and is what they are driven to by fear, as we read Psal. lxvi. 3. Through the greatness of thy power, shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. In the original it is, shall thine enemies lie unto thee, i. e. yield a feigned obedience. Through the greatness of Christ's power, and for fear of his wrath, his enemies who have no respect or honour for him in their hearts, will lie to him, and make a show of respect when they have none.
1. THEY never give CHRIST any honor on the account of this his glory and excellency. They may and often do pay CHRIST an external and seeming respect; but they do not honor CHRIST in their hearts. They have no exalting thoughts of CHRIST, no inward respect or reverence towards him: they have indeed no honorable, respectful thoughts of CHRIST. All their outward worship is only feigned; none of it arises from any real honor or respect in their hearts towards Christ. It is either only for fashions sake, and in compliance with custom, or else it is forceed, and is what they are driven to by fear, as we read