N13259:700
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.
(2.) THAT which is the business of the sabbath is the greatest business of our lives, viz. the business of religion. To serve and worship GOD is that for which we were made, and for which we had our being given us. Other business, which is of a secular nature, and on which we are wont to attend on week days, is but subordinate, and ought to be subservient to the higher purposes and ends of religion. Therefore surely we should not think much of devoting one seventh part of our time, to be wholly spent in this business, and to be set apart to exercise ourselves in the immediate duties of religion.
(2.) THAT which is the business of the sabbath is the greatest business of our lives, viz. the business of religion. To serve and worship GOD is that for which we were made, and for which we had our being given us. Other business, which is of a secular nature, and on which we are wont to attend on week days, is but subordinate, and ought to be subservient to the higher purposes and ends of religion. Therefore surely we should not think much of devoting one seventh part of our time, to be wholely spent in this business, and to be set apart to exercise ourselves in the immediate duties of religion.
(3.) LET it be considered that all our time is GOD'S, and therefore when he challenges of us one day in seven, he challenges his own; he doth not exceed ⟨p. 274⟩his right; he would not have exceeded it, if he had challenged a far greater proportion of our time to be spent in his immediate service. But he hath mercifully considered our state, and our necessities here; and, as he hath consulted the good of our souls, in appointing a seventh day for the immediate duties of religion; so he hath considered our outward necessities, and hath allowed us six days for attendance on our outward affairs.—What unworthy treatment therefore will it be of GOD, if we refuse to allow him even the seventh day!