N13259:26
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.
IN these days men are with difficulty brought to do or submit to that which makes them the objects of the reproach of all their neighbours. Indeed if while some reproach them, others stand by them and honour them, this will support them. But it is very difficult for a man to go on in a way, wherein he makes himself the laughing stock of the whole world, and wherein he can find none who do not despise him. Where is the man that can stand the sho•k of such a trial for twenty years? Much more may I ask, where shall he be found, who will stand it for one hundred and twenty years?
BUT in such an undertaking as this Noah at the divine direction engaged, and went through it, that himself and his family might be saved from that common destruction, which was shortly about to come on the world He began, and also made an end▪ According to all that GOD commanded him, so did he. Length of time did not weary him: He did not grow weary of his vast expense. He stood the shock of the derision of all his neighbours, and of all the world, year after year: He did not grow weary of being their laughing stock, so as to give over his enterprise; but persevered in it, till the ark was finished. After this, he was at the trouble and charge of procuring stores for the maintenance of his family, and of all the various kinds of creatures for so long a time. Such an undertaking he engaged in and went through in order to a temporal salvation. How great an undertaking then should men ⟨p. 12⟩be willing to engage in and go through in order to their eternal salvation! A salvation from an eternal deluge; from being overwhelmed with the billows of GOD'S wrath, of which Noah's flood was but a shadow.
BUT in such an undertaking as this Noah at the divine direction engaged, and went through it, that himself and his family might be saved from that common destruction, which was shortly about to come on the world He began, and also made an end▪ According to all that GOD commanded him, so did he. Length of time did not weary him: He did not grow weary of his vast expence. He stood the shock of the derision of all his neighbours, and of all the world, year after year: He did not grow weary of being their laughing stock, so as to give over his enterprize; but persevered in it, till the ark was finished. After this, he was at the trouble and charge of procuring stores for the maintenance of his family, and of all the various kinds of creatures for so long a time. Such an undertaking he engaged in and went through in order to a temporal salvation. How great an undertaking then should men