N13259:554
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.
THIS covenant between CHRIST and his children is like a will or testament also in this respect, that it becomes effectual, and a way is made for putting it in execution no other way than by his death; as the apostle observes it is with a will or testament among men. For a testament is of force after men are dead, Heb. ix. 17. For though the covenant of grace indeed was of force before the death of CHRIST, yet it was of force no other wise than by his death: so that his death then did virtually intervene; being already undertaken and engaged. As a man's heirs come by the legacies bequeathed to them, no otherwise than by the death of the testator, so men come by the spiritual and eternal inheritance, no otherwise than by the death of CHRIST. If it had not been for the death of CHRIST they never could have obtained it.
II. A GREAT blessing that CHRIST in his testament hath bequeathed to his true followers is his peace. Here are two things that I would observe particularly, viz. That CHRIST hath bequeathed to believers true peace; and then that the peace he has given them is his peace.
1. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST has bequeathed true ⟨p. 207⟩peace and comfort to his followers. CHRIST is called the prince of peace. Isai ix. 6. And when he was born into the world, the angels on that joyful and wonderful occasion sang glory to GOD in the highest, on earth peace; because of that peace which he should procure for and bestow on the children of men; Peace with GOD, and peace one with another, and tranquility and peace within themselves which last is especially the benefit spoken of in the text. This CHRIST has procured for his followers and laid a foundation for their enjoyment of, in that he has procured for them the other two, viz, peace with GOD, and one with another. He has procured for them peace and reconciliation with GOD and his favour and friendship; in that he satisfied for their sins, and laid a foundation for the perfect removal of the guilt of sin, and the forgiveness of all their trespasses, and wrought out for them a perfect and glorious righteousness, most acceptable to GOD and sufficient to recommend them to GOD'S full acceptance and to the adoption of children, and to the eternal fruits of his fatherly kindness.