N13259:367
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.
SEEING therefore you stand in such continual need of the help of GOD, how reasonable is it that you should continually seek it of him, and perseveringly acknowledge your dependence upon him, by resorting to him to spread your needs before him, and to off•• up your requests to him in prayer.—Let us consider how miserable we should be, if we should leave off prayer, and GOD at the same time should leave off ⟨p. 139⟩to take any care of us, or to afford us any more supplies of his grace. By our constancy in prayer we cannot be profitable to GOD; and if we leave it off GOD will sustain no damage: he doth not need our prayers. Job. xxxv. •. 7.—But if GOD cease to care for us and to help us, we immediately •ink: we can do nothing: we can receive nothing without him.
4. CONSIDER the great benefit of a constant, diligent and persevering attendance on this duty. It is one of the greatest and most excellent means of nourishing the new nature, and of causing the soul to flourish and prosper. It is an excellent mean of keeping up an acquaintance with GOD, and of growing in the knowledge of GOD. It is the way to a life of communion with GOD. It is an excellent mean of taking off the heart from the vanities of the world, and of causing the mind to be conversant in heaven. It is an excellent preservative from sin and the wiles of the devil, and a powerful antidote against the poison of the old serpent. It is a duty whereby strength is derived from GOD against the lusts and corruptions of the heart, and the snares of the world.