N13259:565
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.
III. THIS legacy of CHRIST to his true disciples, is very diverse from all that the men of this world ever leave to their children, when they die. The men of this world, many of them, when they come to die, have great estates to bequeath to their children, an abundance of the good things of this world, large […] of ground perhaps in a fruitful soil, covered with […]. They sometimes leave to their children fra•ely […] and vast treasures of silver, gold, jewels and precious things, fetched from both the […], and from every side of the globe of the earth. They leave them wherewith to live in much state and magnificence and make a great show among men, to fare very sumptuously and swim in worldly pleasures. Some have crowns, sceptres and palaces, and great monarchies to leave to their heirs. But none of these things are to be compared ⟨p. 213⟩to that blessed peace of CHRIST which he has bequeathed to his true followers. These things are such as GOD commonly in his providence gives his worst enemies, those whom he hates and despises most. But CHRIST'S peace is a precious benefit which he reserves for his peculiar favourites These worldly things, even the best of them, that the men and princes of the world leave for their children, are things which GOD in his providence throws out to those whom he looks on as dogs, but CHRIST'S peace is the bread of his children. All these earthly things are but empty shadows, which however men set their hearts upon them, are not bread and never can satisfy their souls; but this peace of CHRIST is a truly substantial satisfying food. Isai. lv. 2. None of those things, if men have them to the best advantage and in ever so great abundance, can give true peace and rest to the soul, as is abundantly manifest not only in reason, but experience; it being found in all ages that those who have the most of them, have commonly the least quietness of mind. It is true there […] be a kind of quietness, a false peace they may have in their enjoyment of worldly things; men may bless their souls and think themselves the only happy persons and despise others; may say to their souls, as the rich man did, Luke xii. 19. Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry.