N13259:486
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.
ANNIHILATION is not so great a calamity but that some men have undoubtedly chosen it, rather than such a state of suffering, as they have been in, even in this life. This was the case of Job, a good man. But if a good man in this world may suffer that which is worse than annihilation; doubtless the proper punishment of the wicked, in which GOD means to manifest his peculiar abhorrence of their wickedness, will be a calamity vastly greater still; and therefore cannot be annihilation. That must be a very mean and contemptible testimony of GOD'S wrath towards those who have rebelled against his crown and dignity, have ⟨p. 182⟩broken his laws, and despised both his vengeance and his grace, which is not so great a calamity, as some of his true children have suffered in life.
THE eternal punishment of the wicked is said to be the second death, once and again, as Rev. xx. 14. and xxi. 8.—It is doubtless called the second death in reference to the death of the body; and as the death of the body is ordinarily attended with great pain and distress, so the like, or something vastly greater, i• implied to calling the eternal punishment of the wicked; the second death; and there would be no propriety in calling it to, if it consisted merely in annihilation. And this […] death wicked men will suffer; for it cannot be called the second death, with respect to any other than men; it cannot be called so with respect to devils, as they die no temporal death, which is the first death. In Rev▪ ii. 11. It is said, He that overcometh, shall not be hurt of the second death; implying that all who do not overcome their lusts, but live in sin, shall suffer the second death.
THE eternal punishment of the wicked is said to be the second death, once and again, as Rev. xx. 14. and xxi. 8.—It is doubtless called the second death in referrence to the death of the body; and as the death of the body is ordinarily attended with great pain and distress, so the like, or something vastly greater, i implied to calling the eternal punishment of the wicked; the second death; and there would be no propriety in calling it to, if it consisted merely in annihilation. And this death wicked men will suffer; for it cannot be called the second death, with respect to any other than men; it cannot be called so with respect to devils, as they die no temporal death, which is the first death. In Rev ii. 11. It is said, He that overcometh, shall not be hurt of the second death; implying that all who do not overcome their lusts, but live in sin, shall suffer the second death.