N13259:68
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.
I WOULD by no means flatter you concerning this work, or go about to make you believe, that you shall find an easy, light business of it: No, I would not have you expect any such thing. I would have you sit down and count the cost; and if you cannot find it in your hearts, to engage in a great, hard, laborious and expensive undertaking, and to persevere in it to the end of life; pretend not to be religious. Indulge yourselves in your ease; follow your pleasures; eat, drink and be merry; even conclude to go to hell in that way, and never make any more pretences of seeking your salvation. Here consider several things in particular.
I WOULD by no means flatter you concerning this work, or go about to make you believe, that you shall find an easy, light business of it: No, I would not have you expect any such thing. I would have you sit down and count the cost; and if you cannot find it in your hearts, to engage in a great, hard, laborious and expensive undertaking, and to persevere in it to the end of life; pretend not to be religious. Indulge yourselves in your ease; follow your pleasures; eat, drink and be merry; e'en conclude to go to hell in that way, and never make any more pretences of seeking your salvation. Here consider several things in particular.
1. HOW often you have been warned of the approaching flood of GOD'S wrath. How frequently have you been told of hell, have heard the threatenings of the word of GOD set before you, and have been warned to flee from the wrath to come. It is with you, as it was with the inhabitants of the old world. Noah warned them abundantly of the approaching flood, and counselled them to take care for their safety. 1 Pet. iii. 19. 20.—Noah warned them in words; and not only so, he preached to them and warned them in his actions. His building the ark, which took him so long a time, and in which he employed so many hands, was a standing warning to them. All the blows of the hammer and axe, during the progress of that building, were so many calls and warnings to the old world, to take care for their preservation from the approaching destruction. Every knock of the workmen was a knock of JESUS CHRIST at the door of their hearts. But they would not