N13259:229
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 5: The Folly of looking back, in fleeing out of Sodom.
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.
3. MULTITUDES while they have been looking back, have been suddenly overtaken and seized by the storm of wrath. The wrath of GOD hath not delayed, while they have delayed; it has not waited at all for them to repent, to turn about and flee; but has presently seized them, and they have been past ⟨p. 87⟩hope.—When Lot's wife looked back she was immediately destroyed, GOD had exercised patience towards her before. When she lingered at the setting out, the angels pressed her, her husband and children, to make haste. Not only so, but when they yet delayed, they laid hold on her hands, and brought her forth and set her without the city, the Lord being merciful to her. But now when notwithstanding this mercy and the warnings which had been given her, she looked back, GOD exercised no more patience towards her, but proceeded in wrath immediately to put her to death.
3. MULTITUDES while they have been looking back, have been suddenly overtaken and seized by the storm of wrath. The wrath of GOD hath not delayed, while they have delayed; it has not waited at all for them to repent, to turn about and flee; but has presently seized them, and they have been past ⟨p. 87⟩hope.—When Lot's wife looked back she was immediately destroyed, GOD had exercised patience towarks her before. When she lingered at the setting out, the angels pressed her, her husband and children, to make haste. Not only so, but when they yet delayed, they laid hold on her hands, and brought her forth and set her without the city, the Lord being merciful to her. But now when notwithstanding this mercy and the warnings which had been given her, she looked back, GOD exercised no more patience towards her, but proceeded in wrath immediately to put her to death.
NOW GOD has in like manner been merciful to you. You in time past have been lingering; you have been warned by the angel of your danger and pressed to make haste and flee; yet you have delayed. And now at length God hath as it were laid hold on you, by the convictions of his spirit, to draw you out of Sodom; Therefore remember Lot's wife. If now after all you should look back, when GOD hath been so merciful to you; you will have reason to fear, that GOD will suddenly destroy you and wait no longer on you. Multitudes when they have been looking back and putting off to another opportunity, they have never had another opportunity; they have been suddenly destroyed and that without remedy.