N13259:594
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.
THEREFORE, I design now, by the help of GOD, to show, that it is sufficiently revealed in the scriptures, to be the mind and will of GOD, that the first day of the week should be distinguished, in the christian church, from other days of the week, as a sabbath, to be devoted to religious exercises.
IN order to this, I shall here premise, that the mind and will of GOD, concerning any duty to be performed by us, may be sufficiently revealed in his word, without a particular precept in so many express terms, enjoining it.—The human understanding is the ear to which the word of GOD is spoken; and if it be so spoken, that that ear may plainly hear it, it is enough. GOD is sovereign as to the manner of speaking his mind, whether he will speak it in express terms, or whether he will speak it by saying several other things which imply it, and from which ⟨p. 227⟩we may, by comparing them together, plainly perceive it. If the mind of GOD be but revealed, if there be but sufficient means for the communication of his mind to our minds, that is sufficient; whether we hear so many express words with our ears, or see them in writing with our eyes; or whether we see the thing that he would signify to us, by the eye of reason and understanding.
WHO can positively say, that if it had been the mind of GOD, that we should keep the first day of the week, he would have commanded it in express terms, as he did the observation of the seventh day of old?—Indeed, if GOD had so made our faculties, that we were not capable of receiving a revelation […] his mind in any other way; then there would have been some reason to say so. But GOD hath given us such understandings, that we are capable of receiving a revelation, when made in another manner. And if GOD deals with us agreeably to our natures, and in a way suitable to our capacities, it is enough. If GOD discovers his mind in any way whatsoever, provided it be according to our faculties, we are obliged to obedience; and GOD may expect our notice and observance of his revelation, in the same manner as if he had revealed it in express terms.