N13259:38
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.
ANS. I. Negatively; not to merit salvation, or to recommend them to the saving mercy of GOD. Men are not saved on the account of any work of theirs, and yet they are not saved without works. If we merely consider what it is for which, or on the account of which men are saved, no work at all in men is necessary to their salvation. In this respect they are saved wholly without any work of theirs. Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
IF we enquire what we must be saved on the account of, the answer is on the account of works: but not our own works, not on the account of any works which we have done or can do; but on the account of the works which CHRIST hath done for us. Works are the fixed price of eternal life, fixed in the beginning when GOD made man. And GOD hath never altered that price: it is fixed by an eternal, unalterable rule of righteousness. But since the fall there is no hope of our doing these works. As to us salvation is offered freely without money and without price. It is offered to be made sure to us, upon the sole condition of our acceptance of it. Whosoever will, may come and take of the water of life freely.
2. AFFIRMATIVELY; this is the way to salvation which GOD hath appointed. Though it be not needful that we do any thing to merit salvation, which CHRIST hath fully merited for all who believe in him; or that we should do any thing, for which, or on the account of the goodness of which we may be saved; yet GOD for wise and holy ends hath appointed, that we should come to salvation in no other way, but that of good works done by us.