N13259:302
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.
1. THEY do so for a while after they have received ⟨p. 113⟩common illuminations and affections. While they are under awakenings, they may through fear of hell call upon GOD, and attend very constantly upon the duty of secret prayer. And after they have had some melting affections, having their hearts much moved with the goodness of GOD, or with some affecting encouragements, and false joy and comfort; while these impressions last, they continue to call upon GOD in the duty of secret prayer.
2. AFTER they have obtained an hope, and have made profession of their good estate, they often continue for a while in the duty of secret prayer. For a while they are affected with their hope: they think that GOD hath delivered them out of a natural condition and given them an interest in CHRIST, thus introducing them into a state of safety from that eternal misery, which they lately feared. With this supposed kindness of GOD to them, they are much affected, and often find in themselves, for a while, a kind of love to GOD, excited by his supposed love to them. Now while this affection towards GOD continues, the duties of religion seem pleasant to them; it is even with some delight that they approach to GOD in their closets; and for the present, it may be, they think of no other than continuing to call upon GOD, as long as they live.
YEA they may continue in the duty of secret prayer for a while after the liveliness of their affections is past; partly through the influence of their former intentions: They intended to continue seeking GOD always; and now suddenly to leave off, would therefore be too shocking to their own minds. And partly through the force of their own preconceived notions, and what they have always believed, viz. that godly persons do continue in religion, and that their goodness is not like the morning cloud. Therefore,