N13259:269
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 6: The Warnings of Scripture are in the best manner adapted to the awakening and conversio…
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.
WHEN a king immediately threatens his own displeasure, it has a greater tendency to terrify men, than when another man threatens it, or warns them of the danger of it.
6. GOD is infinitely wise and knows better how to speak to us so as to persuade us, than one rising from the dead. He perfectly knows our nature and state, and knows how to adapt his instructions and warnings to our frame and circumstances in the world; and without doubt that method which GOD hath chosen and taken in his word, is agreeable to his infinite, wisdom and most adapted to our nature.
IF one should come from hell to warn sinners, it may be he would tell them of hell in such a manner, as would have more of a tendency to drive men into despair, and set them a blaspheming as they do in hell, than to excite them to strive for salvation, and diligently to use the means which GOD hath appointed. But GOD knoweth what revelation of hell we can bear, and what hath the most tendency to do us good, in this our infirm, dark and sinful state.—The declarations of one come from hell might more tend to drive us from GOD, than to bring us near to ⟨p. 103⟩him. It is best for us to be warned and instructed by GOD, who knows best how to do it.