N13259:396
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.
3. HE hath undertaken to subdue impenitent sinners. Their hearts while in this world are very unsubdued. They lift up their heads and conduct very proudly and contemptuously, and often sin with an high hand. They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues walk through the earth. They practically say as Pharaoh did, Who is the LORD? I know not the LORD, neither will I obey his voice. Job. xxi. 41. They say to GOD, depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
SOME, who cover their sin with specious show; who put on a face of religion, and a demure countenance and behaviour; yet have this spirit secretly reigning in their breasts. Notwithstanding all their fair show, and good external carriage, they despise GOD in their hearts, and have the weapons of war about them; though they are secret enemies and carry their swords under their skirts. They have most proud, stubborn and rebellious hearts, which are ready to rise in opposition, to contend with him, and to find fault with his dispensations. Their hearts are full of pride, enmity, stubbornness and blasphemy, which work in them many ways, while they sit under the preaching of the word, and while the spirit ⟨p. 148⟩of GOD is striving with them; and they always continue to oppose and resist GOD, as long as they live in the world; they never lay down the weapons of their rebellion.
BUT GOD hath undertaken to deal with them and to subdue them; and those proud and stubborn hearts, which will not yield to the power of GOD'S word, shall be broken by the power of his hand. If they will not be willing subjects to the golden sceptre, and will not yield to the attractives of his love; they shall be subject to the force of the iron rod, whether they will or no.