III. THE WISDOM OF GOD DISPLAYED IN THE WAY OF Sect, 1. Wonderful Things done III. The good attained wonderfully various iv. Angels benefit by Salvation y. Wonderful Glory redounds to God vi. The Manner of obtaining Salvation viii. Superiority of this Wisdom to that of Angels 359 IV. CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE; OR, THE IMPORTANCE AND ADVANTAGE OF A THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE SECT. I. What is intended by Divinity, as the object of this 11. What kind of Knowledge in Divinity is intended in III. The Usefulness and Necessity of the Knowledge of iv. Why all Christians should make a business of endea- vouring to grow in the Knowledge of Divinity 381 v. An Exhortation that all may diligently endeavour vi. Directions for the Acquisition of Christian Know- V. CHRISTIAN CHARITY; OR, THE DUTY OF CHARITY TO THE POOR, EXPLAINED AND ENFORCED. 11. Of the Obligations of Christians to perform the III. An Exhortation to the Duty of Charity to the Poor 404 VI. SEVEN DISCOURSES, OR TRACTS. DISC. I. Christ exalted II. Self-flatteries III. Dishonesty; or, the Sin of Theft and Injustice IV. 'Temptation and Deliverance V. The Preciousness of Time VI. Procrastination VII. The Cbristian Pilgrim 434 448 458 477 499 511 530 1 A HISTORY OP TEIE WORK OF REDEMPTION, CONTAINING THE OUTLINES OF A BODY OF DIVINITY, INCLUDING A VIEW OF CHURCH HISTORY, IN A METHOD ENTIRELY NEW. , PRE FACE. It has long been desired by the friends of Mr. Edwards, that a number of his manuscripts should be published; but the disadvantage under which all posthumous publications must necessarily appear, and the difficulty of getting any considerable work printed in this infant country hitherto, have proved sufficient obstacles to the execution of such a proposal. The first of these obstacles made me doubt, for a considerable time after these manuscripts came into my hands, whether I could consistently with that regard which I owe to the honour of so worthy a parent, suffer any of them to appear in the world. However, being diffident of my own sentiments, and doubtful whether I were not over-jealous in this matter, I determined to submit to the opinion of gentlemen, who are friends both to the character of Mr. EDWARDS and to the cause of truth. The consequence was, that they gave their advice for publishing them. The other obstacle was removed by a gentleman in the Church of Scotland, who was formerly a correspondent of Mr. EDWARDS. He engaged a bookseller to undertake the work, and also signified his desire that these following discourses in particular might be made public. Mr. EDWARDS had planned a body of divinity, in a new method, and in the form of a history; in which he was first to shew how the most remarkable events, in all ages from the fall to the present times, recorded in sacred and profane history, were adapted to promote the work of redemption; and then to trace, by the light of scripture-prophecy, how the same work should be yet further carried on even to the end of the world. His heart was so much set on executing this plan, that he was considerably averse to accept the presidentship of Prince-town college, lest the duties of that office should put it out of his power. The outlines of that work are now offered to the public, as contained in a series of sermons, preached at Northampton in 1739,* without any view to publication. On that acconnt, the reader cannot reasonably expect all that from them, which he might justly have expected, had they been written with such a view, and prepared by the Author's own band for the press. • This is necessary to be remembered by the reader, in order to understand some chronological observations in the following work. As to elegance of composition, which is now esteemed so essential to all publications, it is well known, that the author did not make that his chief study. However, his other writings, though destitute of the ornaments of fine language, have it seems that solid merit, which has procured both to themselves and to him a considerable reputation in the world, and with many an high esteem. It is hoped that the reader will find in these discourses many traces of plain good sense, sound reasoning, and thorough knowledge of the sacred oracles, and real unfeigned piety: and that, as the plan is new, and many of the sentiments uncommon, they may afford entertainment and improvement to the ingenious, the inquisitive, and the pious reader; may confirm their faith in God's government of the world, in our holy Christian religion in general, and in many of its peculiar doctrines; may assist in studying with greater pleasure and advantage the bistorical and prophetical books of scripture; and may excite to a conversation becoming the gospel. That this volume may produce these happy effects in all who shall peruse it, is the hcarty desire and prayer of The reader's most humble servant, JONATHAN EDWARDS. Newhaven, Feb. 25, 1773. |
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