N13259:270
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.
APPLICATION.
I. IT is a natural inference from this doctrine, that if these means which GOD hath appointed, do not answer to lead men to repentance and reformation, no others would.—Although this be not an absolutely necessary consequence from the words of the doctrine; yet it seems to be CHRIST'S aim to teach us that if GOD'S means will not answer, none will. Our own means, those which we can devise of our own heads, However they may seem more likely at a distance, to be effectual; yet if they be brought to the trial, will not prove to be better. The rich man thought that if his brethren were warned by one rising from the dead, they would surely repent. But Abraham tells him, he is mistaken.
IF one rising from the dead would not answer the purpose, we may rationally conclude that no other kind of means, different from those appointed by GOD, would. For what can we think of, which seems, to have more of a tendency to awaken men, and lead to repentance, than one coming from the dead to them; except those means which we enjoy.—Indeed men can think of many means, which they may imagine, if they enjoyed them, would make them believe and repent. But they deceive themselves.
IF one rising from the dead would not answer the purpose, we may rationly conclude that no other kind of means, different from those appointed by GOD, would. For what can we think of, which seems, to have more of a tendency to awaken men, and lead to repentance, than one coming from the dead to them; except those means which we enjoy.—Indeed men can think of many means, which they may imagine, if they enjoyed them, would make them believe and repent. But they deceive themselves.