N13259:308
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.
WHEREAS it is asserted in the doctrine, that it is the manner of hypocrites, after a while, in a great measure to leave off this duty; I would observe to you,
1. THAT it is not intended but that they may commonly continue to the end of life in yielding an external attendance on open prayer, or prayer with ••hers. They may commonly be present at public […] in the congregation, and also at family-pray•••. This, in such places of light as this is, men […] do, before ever they are so much as awakened. ⟨p. 116⟩Many vicious persons, who make no pretence to serious religion, commonly attend public prayers in the congregation, and also more private prayers in the families in which they live, unless it be when carnal designs interfere, or when their youthful pleasures and diversions, and their vain company call them: and then they make no conscience of attending family-prayer. Otherwise they may continue to attend upon prayer as long as they live, and yet may truly be said not to call upon GOD. For such prayer in the manner of it, is not their own. They are present only for the sake of their credit, or in compliance with others. They may be present at these prayers and yet have no proper prayer of their own. Many of those concerning whom it may be said, as in Job. xv. 4. That they cast off fear and restrain prayer before GOD, are yet frequently present at family and public prayers.
1. THAT it is not intended but that they may commonly continue to the end of life in yielding an external attendance on open prayer, or prayer with ••hers. They may commonly be present at publick 〈…〉 in the congregation, and also at family-pray•••. This, in such places of light as this is, men do, before ever they are so much as awakened.