1 TO THE EDINBURGH EDITION. ་ THEY who have a relish for the study of the scriptures, and have access to peruse the following sheets, will, I am persuaded, deem themselves much indebted to the Reverend Mr. EDWARDS of Newhaven for consenting to publish them. Though the acute philosopher and deep divine appears in them, yet they are in the general better calculated for the instruction and improvement of ordinary Christians, than those of President EDWARDS's writings, where the abstruse nature of the subject, or the subtle objections of opposers of the truth, led him to more abstract and metaphysical reasonings. The manuscript being entrusted to my care, I have not presumed to make any change in the sentiments or composition. I have, however, taken the liberty to reduce it from the form of sermons, which it originally bore, to that of a continued treatise; and I have so altered and diversified the marks of the several divisions and subdivisions, that each class of heads might be easily distinguished. EDINBURGH, April 29, 1774. JOHN ERSKINE. 1 1 IT T 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 honor 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 formally 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 show, 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 Princeton 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 account, the reader cannot reasonably expect all that from them, which he might justly have expected, had they been written with 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 writ- ings, though destitute of the ornaments of fine language, have it seems that solid merit, which has procured both to them- selves 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 ora- cles, and real unfeigned piety; and that, as the plan is new, and many of the sentiments uncommon, they may afford en- tertainment and improvement to the ingenious, the inquisitive, and the pious reader; may confirm their faith in God's gov- ernment of the world, in our holy Christian religion in gen- eral, and in many of its peculiar doctrines; may assist in studying with greater pleasure and advantage the historical and prophetical books of scripture; and may excite to a con- versation becoming the gospel. That this volume may produce these happy effects in all who shall peruse it is the hearty desire and prayer of JONATHAN EDWARDS. Newhaven, Feb. 25, 1773. *This is necessary to be remembered by the reader, in order to understand Inspiration, and usefulness of the books of the Old Testament, From Christ's resurrection to the end of the world, INTRODUCTION. Things whereby Christ was put into a capacity for accomplishing the ends of his purchase; viii 点 CONTENT S. How Christ accomplished this success, SECT. I. How this success i accomplished by God's grace here, 1. The means of this success established after Christ's resurrection, I. From Christ's resurrection till the destruction of Jerusalem, 11. From the destruction of Jerusalem to that of the Heathen empire, INFERENCE. Truth of Christianity argued from the success of the gospel, 277 III. Success from the time of Constantine till the fall of Antichrist, 1st. From Constantine till the rise of Antichrist, 2dly. From the rise of Antichrist till the reformation, 3dly. From the reformation till the present time, 2. Of the opposition made to the Reformation, 3. What success the gospel has lately had, 4. Present state of things with regard to the success of the gospel, The particular manner in which this success is accomplished, I. Prosperity of the church through the greater part of this period, 347 II. The great apostacy that shall take place towards the end of this period, 354 ibid. VI. The majesty and power of God in the work of redemption, VII. The glorious wisdom of God in the work of redemption, } |