N13259:275
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.
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.
IT may be they think, if they could see some prophet, and see him work miracles, that this would ⟨p. 104⟩awaken them. But how was it in those times in which there were prophets? There has rarely been a more degenerate time, than that in which lived Elijah and Elisha, those great prophets of Israel, who wrought so many miracles. The people did not regard their prophecies nor their miracles; but walked in their own ways, and served their own gods, so that Elijah thought, that there was none left of the true worshippers of GOD. And how did they treat the prophet Jeremiah, so solemnly warning them from GOD of their approaching destruction! And how often do the prophets complain that all their prophecies and warnings were neglected and despised!
IT may be they think, if they could see some prophet, and see him work miracales, that this would ⟨p. 104⟩awaken them. But how was it in those times in which there were prophets? There has rarely been a more degenerate time, than that in which lived Elijah and Elisha, those great prophets of Israel, who wrought so many miracles. The people did not regard their prophecies nor their miracles; but walked in their own ways, and served their own gods, so that Elijah thought, that there was none left of the true worshippers of GOD. And how did they treat the prophet Jeremiah, so solemnly warning them from GOD of their approaching destruction! And how often do the prophets complain that all their prophecies and warnings were neglected and despised!