Though we are Weak…..

Though true grace has various degrees, and there are some that are but babes in Christ, in whom the exercise of the inclination and will, towards divine and heavenly things, is comparatively weak; yet everyone that has the power of godliness in his heart, has his inclinations and heart exercised towards God and divine things, with such strength and vigor that these holy exercises do prevail in him above all carnal or natural affections, and are effectual to overcome them: for every true disciple of Christ “loves him above father or mother, wife and children, brethren and sisters, houses and lands: yea, than his own life.”

Jonathan Edwards

Concerning our Actions in this World

Resolved, never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life….

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

 

Will we be Happy in Heaven, with our Loved One in Hell?

Can the believing husband in Heaven be happy with his unbelieving wife in Hell? Can the believing father in Heaven be happy with his unbelieving children in Hell? Can the loving wife in Heaven be happy with her unbelieving husband in Hell? I tell you, yea! Such will be their sense of justice that it will increase rather than diminish their bliss.

Jonathan Edwards

 

Conversations between God and Man

Conversation between God and mankind in this world is maintained by God’s Word on his part, and by prayer on ours. By the former, he speaks and expresses his mind to us; by the latter, we speak and express our minds to him. Sincere friendship towards God, in all who believe him to be properly an intelligent, willing being, does most apparently, directly, and strongly incline to prayer; and it no less disposes the heart strongly to desire to have our infinitely glorious and gracious Friend expressing his mind to us by his word, that we may know it.

Jonathan Edwards

Concerning Reading the Scriptures

Be assiduous in reading the Holy Scriptures. This is the fountain whence all knowledge in divinity must be derived. Therefore let not this treasure lie by you neglected.

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

Prayer Should be Natural to the Converted

Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life.

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

Concerning Praying after Conversion

I would exhort those who have entertained a hope of their being true converts–and who since their supposed conversion have led off the duty of secret prayer, and ordinarily allow themselves in the omission of it–to throw away their hope. If you have left off calling upon God, it is time for you to leave off hoping and flattering yourselves with an imagination that you are the children of God.

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

 

True Happiness

The happiness of the creature consists in rejoicing in God, by which also God is magnified and exalted.

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

 

Concerning Praying for one’s Minister

If some Christians that have been complaining of their ministers had said and acted less before men and had applied themselves with all their might to cry to God for their ministers — had, as it were, risen and stormed heaven with their humble, fervent, and incessant prayers for them — they would have been much more in the way of success.

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

Concerning those who believe God is giving revelation through prophets today

An erroneous principle, than which scarce any has proved more mischievous to the present glorious work of God, is a notion that it is God’s manner in these days to guide His saints by inspiration, or immediate revelation…. As long as a person has a notion that he is guided by immediate direction from heaven, it makes him incorrigible and impregnable in all his misconduct.

Jonathan Edwards, Some Thoughts Concerning the Present Revival of Religion inNew England, p.1:404