N13259:53
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.
MEN of themselves know not how to proceed in this business, any more than the children of Israel in the wilderness know where to go without the guidance ⟨p. 22⟩of the pillar of cloud and fire. There is great need that they search the scriptures and give diligent heed to the instructions and directions contained in them as to a light shining in a dark place; and that they ask counsel of those skilled in these matters. And there is no business in which men have so much need of seeking to GOD by prayer, for his counsel, and that he would lead them in the right way and show them the strait gate. For strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Yea there are none that find it without direction from heaven.
THE building of the ark was a work of great difficulty on this account, that Noah's wisdom was not sufficient to direct him, how to make such a building, as should be a sufficient security against such a flood, and which should be a convenient dwelling place for himself, his family and all the various kinds of beasts and birds, and creeping things. Nor could he ever have known how to construct this building, had not GOD directed him.
6. THIS business never ends till life ends. They that undertake this laborious, careful expensive, self denying business must not expect to rest from their labours, till death shall have put an end to them. The long continuance of the work which Noah undertook was what especially made it a great undertaking This also was what made the travel of the children of Israel through the wilderness appear so great to them, that it was continued for so long a time. Their spirits failed they were discouraged, and had not an heart to go through with so great an undertaking.