N13259:703
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.
THAT we should sanctify the sabbath, as we have observed, is according to GOD'S institution. GOD in a sense observes his own institutions; i. e. is wont to cause them to be attended with a blessing.—The institutions of GOD are his appointed means of grace, and with his institutions he hath promised his blessing; Exod. xx. 24. In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. For the same reason may we conclude, that GOD will ⟨p. 275⟩meet his people and bless them, waiting upon him not only in appointed places, but at appointed times, and in all appointed ways. CHRIST hath promised that where two or three are gathered together in his name, he will be in the midst of them, Mat. xviii. 20. One thing included in the expression, in his name, is, that it is by his appointment, and according to his institution.
GOD hath made it our duty, by his institution, to set apart this day for a special seeking of his grace and blessing. From which we may argue, that he will be especially ready to confer his grace on those who thus seek it. If it be the day on which GOD requires us especially to seek him, we may argue, that it is a day on which especially he will be found. That GOD is ready on this day especially to bestow his blessing on them that keep it aright, is implied in that expression of God's blessing the sabbath day. GOD hath not only hallowed the sabbath day, but blessed it; he hath given his blessing to it, and will confer his blessing upon all the due observers of it. He hath hallowed it, or appointed that it be kept holy by us, and hath blessed it; he hath determined to give his blessing upon it.