N13259:276
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.
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!
WOULD it be sufficient, if you could hear GOD speak from heaven, with your bodily ears? How was it, when there were such things? How was it in Moses's time, when they heard GOD speak out of the midst of the fire, and heard the voice of words exceeding loud and full of majesty, so that they exceedingly trembled? When they saw mount Sinai all covered with smoke, and shaking exceedingly? And when some of them saw GOD, saw the GOD of Israel and did eat and drink?—How did they be have themselves? Did they all of them turn from their sins, and after that walk in the ways of GOD?—It is true, they were very much affected at first, while it was a new and strange thing to them; but how hard-hearted and rebellious were they soon after? They did not scruple to rebel against this same great and glorious GOD. Yea they made a golden calf, while Moses was in the mount conversing with GOD, just after they had seen those dreadful appearances of divine majesty.