N13259:389
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.
IN handling this doctrine, I shall 1. Show what is implied in GOD'S undertaking to deal with impenitent sinners. 2. That therefore they cannot avoid punishment. 3. That they cannot in any measure deliver themselves from it, or do any thing for their own relief under it. 4. That they cannot bear it. 5. I shall answer an inquiry; and then proceed to the use.
I. I SHALL show what is implied in GOD'S undertaking to deal with impenitent sinners.—Others are not able to deal with them. They baffle all the means used with them by those that are appointed to teach and to rule over them. They will not yield to parents; or to the counsel•, warnings or reproofs of ministers: they prove obstinate and stiff-hearted. Therefore GOD undertakes to deal with them.—This implies the following things.
1. THAT GOD will reckon with them, and take of them satisfaction to his justice. In this world GOD puts forth his authority to command them, and to require subjection to him. In his commands he is very positive, strictly requiring of them the performance of such and such duties, and as positively forbidding such and such things which are contrary to their duty. But they have no regard to these commands. GOD continues commanding and they continue rebelling. They make nothing of GOD'S authority GOD threatens, but they despise his threatenings.—They make nothing of dishonouring GOD: they care not how much their behaviour is to the dishonour of GOD. He offers them mercy, […] they will repent and return: but they despise his mercy as well as his wrath. GOD calleth, but they refuse—Thus they are continually plunging themselves deeper and deeper in debt, and at the same time ⟨p. 146⟩imagine they shall escape the payment of the debt, and design entirely to rob GOD of his due.