Christian Classics
‹ Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume One
Contents
The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume 1CHAPTER I. Birth. Parentage. Early religious advantages. Serious impressions and account of his experienceCHAPTER II. Intellectual progress. Earliest productions. Entrance at college. Mental habitsCHAPTER III. Early religious productions. Miscellanies. Notes on the Scriptures. Commencement of his preaching. Resolutions.CHAPTER IV. His DiaryCHAPTER V. His tutorship. Sickness. Invitation to Northampton. Personal narrative continued. Diary concluded.CHAPTER VI. Settlement in the ministry at Northampton. Situation of things at the time of his settlement. Attention to religion in the parish. Course of study. Habits of life. Marriage. Death and Character of Mr. Stoddard. Sickness of Mr. Edwards. Death and character of his sister Jerusha. His first publicationCHAPTER VII. Remarkable revival of religion, in 1734, and 1735. Its extent and power. Manner of treating awakened sinners. Causes of its decline. Religious controversy in Hampshire. Death of his sister Lucy. Characteristics of Mrs. Edwards. Remainder of personal narrativeCHAPTER VIII. Narrative of Surprising Conversions. His views of revivals. Five Discourses. Mr. Bellamy, a resident in his family. Extra-parochial labours of Mr. Edwards. Sermon at Enfield. Funeral Sermon on the Rev. W. WilliamsCHAPTER IX. Commencement of a second great revival of religion, in the spring and summer of 1740. Visit of Mr. Whitefield at Northampton. Impulses. Judging of the religious character of others. Letter to Mr. Wheelock. Great effects of a private lecture of Mr. E. Letter to his daughter. Letter to a young lady in Connecticut. Lay preaching. Letter of Rev. G. Tennent. Sermon at New-Haven. 'Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God.' Prefaces by Mr. Cooper and Mr. Willison. Mr. Samuel HopkinsCHAPTER X. Temporary abatement of religious attention. Letter to Mr. Bellamy. Missionary tour. Success at Leicester. Mr. Hopkins becomes a member of his family. Mr. Buell's successful labours at Northampton. Mr. Edwards's narrative of the revival at Northampton, in 1740-1742. Covenant entered into by the churchCHAPTER XI. Mrs. Edwards. Her solemn self-dedications. Her uncommon discoveries of the Divine perfections and glory; and of the excellency of Christ. Remarks concerning themCHAPTER XII. Extent of the revival of 1740-1742. Auspicious opening. Opposed by its enemies, and injured by its friends. “Thoughts on the Revival in New England. ” Attestations of numerous ministers. Causes of its decline. Influence of Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Tennent, and others. Influence of Mr. Edwards's publications in Scotland. Great revival of religion there. His correspondents in that country. Letter to Mr. M'Cullock. Answer to do. Letter from Mr. RobeChapter XIII. First Interview with David Brainerd--Separations From Churches--Letter to Rev. Mr. WhimanCHAPTER XIV. Mistakes extensively prevalent at this time, as to the nature and evidences of true godliness. “Treatise on Religious Affections.” Design and character of the work. Republished abroad. Letter from Mr. Gillespie concerning it. Letter from Mr. Edwards to Mr. M'Cullock. Reply to Mr. Gillespie. Proposal made in Scotland, for united extraordinary prayer. Efforts of Mr. Edwards to promote it. Letter to Mr. M'Cullock. “Humble Attempt to promote Extraordinary Prayer” · Part 1CHAPTER XIV. Mistakes extensively prevalent at this time, as to the nature and evidences of true godliness. “Treatise on Religious Affections.” Design and character of the work. Republished abroad. Letter from Mr. Gillespie concerning it. Letter from Mr. Edwards to Mr. M'Cullock. Reply to Mr. Gillespie. Proposal made in Scotland, for united extraordinary prayer. Efforts of Mr. Edwards to promote it. Letter to Mr. M'Cullock. “Humble Attempt to promote Extraordinary Prayer” · Part 2CHAPTER XIV. Mistakes extensively prevalent at this time, as to the nature and evidences of true godliness. “Treatise on Religious Affections.” Design and character of the work. Republished abroad. Letter from Mr. Gillespie concerning it. Letter from Mr. Edwards to Mr. M'Cullock. Reply to Mr. Gillespie. Proposal made in Scotland, for united extraordinary prayer. Efforts of Mr. Edwards to promote it. Letter to Mr. M'Cullock. “Humble Attempt to promote Extraordinary Prayer” · Part 3CHAPTER XV. Arrival of David Brainerd at Northampton. His sickness and death at the house of Mr. Edwards. His papers. Death of Jerusha, the second daughter of Mr. E. Her character. Correspondence of Mr. E. with Rev. John Erskine. Abstract of Mr. E.'s first letter to Mr. Erskine. Plan conceived of the Freedom of the Will. Death of Col. Stoddard. Kindness of Mr. Erskine. Letter of Mr. E. to him. Second Letter from Mr. Gillespie. Letter to Mr. M'Cullock. Letter to Mr. Erskine. Letter from Mr. Willison. Life and diary of Brainerd. Letters to Messrs. Erskine, M'Cullock, and Robe. Ordination of Rev. Job Strong. Anecdote of Rev. Mr. Moody. Letter of Mr. E. to his daughter Mary. Second Letter to Mr. Gillespie · Part 1CHAPTER XV. Arrival of David Brainerd at Northampton. His sickness and death at the house of Mr. Edwards. His papers. Death of Jerusha, the second daughter of Mr. E. Her character. Correspondence of Mr. E. with Rev. John Erskine. Abstract of Mr. E.'s first letter to Mr. Erskine. Plan conceived of the Freedom of the Will. Death of Col. Stoddard. Kindness of Mr. Erskine. Letter of Mr. E. to him. Second Letter from Mr. Gillespie. Letter to Mr. M'Cullock. Letter to Mr. Erskine. Letter from Mr. Willison. Life and diary of Brainerd. Letters to Messrs. Erskine, M'Cullock, and Robe. Ordination of Rev. Job Strong. Anecdote of Rev. Mr. Moody. Letter of Mr. E. to his daughter Mary. Second Letter to Mr. Gillespie · Part 2CHAPTER XV. Arrival of David Brainerd at Northampton. His sickness and death at the house of Mr. Edwards. His papers. Death of Jerusha, the second daughter of Mr. E. Her character. Correspondence of Mr. E. with Rev. John Erskine. Abstract of Mr. E.'s first letter to Mr. Erskine. Plan conceived of the Freedom of the Will. Death of Col. Stoddard. Kindness of Mr. Erskine. Letter of Mr. E. to him. Second Letter from Mr. Gillespie. Letter to Mr. M'Cullock. Letter to Mr. Erskine. Letter from Mr. Willison. Life and diary of Brainerd. Letters to Messrs. Erskine, M'Cullock, and Robe. Ordination of Rev. Job Strong. Anecdote of Rev. Mr. Moody. Letter of Mr. E. to his daughter Mary. Second Letter to Mr. Gillespie · Part 3CHAPTER XV. Arrival of David Brainerd at Northampton. His sickness and death at the house of Mr. Edwards. His papers. Death of Jerusha, the second daughter of Mr. E. Her character. Correspondence of Mr. E. with Rev. John Erskine. Abstract of Mr. E.'s first letter to Mr. Erskine. Plan conceived of the Freedom of the Will. Death of Col. Stoddard. Kindness of Mr. Erskine. Letter of Mr. E. to him. Second Letter from Mr. Gillespie. Letter to Mr. M'Cullock. Letter to Mr. Erskine. Letter from Mr. Willison. Life and diary of Brainerd. Letters to Messrs. Erskine, M'Cullock, and Robe. Ordination of Rev. Job Strong. Anecdote of Rev. Mr. Moody. Letter of Mr. E. to his daughter Mary. Second Letter to Mr. Gillespie · Part 4CHAPTER XV. Arrival of David Brainerd at Northampton. His sickness and death at the house of Mr. Edwards. His papers. Death of Jerusha, the second daughter of Mr. E. Her character. Correspondence of Mr. E. with Rev. John Erskine. Abstract of Mr. E.'s first letter to Mr. Erskine. Plan conceived of the Freedom of the Will. Death of Col. Stoddard. Kindness of Mr. Erskine. Letter of Mr. E. to him. Second Letter from Mr. Gillespie. Letter to Mr. M'Cullock. Letter to Mr. Erskine. Letter from Mr. Willison. Life and diary of Brainerd. Letters to Messrs. Erskine, M'Cullock, and Robe. Ordination of Rev. Job Strong. Anecdote of Rev. Mr. Moody. Letter of Mr. E. to his daughter Mary. Second Letter to Mr. Gillespie · Part 5CHAPTER XVI. Commencement of difficulties at NorthamptonCHAPTER XVII. Account of difficulties at Northampton continuedCHAPTER XVIII. Letter to Mr. M'Cullock—to Mr. Erskine. Account of the troubles at Northampton concludedThe Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume 1 · CHAPTER XIXCHAPTER XX. Letter to Sir W. Pepperell. Letter to Lady Pepperell. Letter to his father. Arrival of Mr. Hawley. Increasing importance of Indian establishments. Schemes of its enemies. Firm stand taken by Mr. Edwards. Letter to Mr. Oliver. Letter to commissioners. Difficulties of the mission. Answer to Mr. Williams. Letter to the people of Northampton. Marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Burr. Letter To Mr. Erskine. Letter to Mr. Hollis. Letter to Mr. Hubbard · Part 1CHAPTER XX. Letter to Sir W. Pepperell. Letter to Lady Pepperell. Letter to his father. Arrival of Mr. Hawley. Increasing importance of Indian establishments. Schemes of its enemies. Firm stand taken by Mr. Edwards. Letter to Mr. Oliver. Letter to commissioners. Difficulties of the mission. Answer to Mr. Williams. Letter to the people of Northampton. Marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Burr. Letter To Mr. Erskine. Letter to Mr. Hollis. Letter to Mr. Hubbard · Part 2CHAPTER XX. Letter to Sir W. Pepperell. Letter to Lady Pepperell. Letter to his father. Arrival of Mr. Hawley. Increasing importance of Indian establishments. Schemes of its enemies. Firm stand taken by Mr. Edwards. Letter to Mr. Oliver. Letter to commissioners. Difficulties of the mission. Answer to Mr. Williams. Letter to the people of Northampton. Marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Burr. Letter To Mr. Erskine. Letter to Mr. Hollis. Letter to Mr. Hubbard · Part 3CHAPTER XXI. Vote of thanks of commissioners. Sermon at Newark. Measures of the enemies of the mission defeated. Letter to Mr. Oliver. “Freedom of the Will.” Letter to Mr. Erskine. Deposition of Mr. Gillespie. Letter to do. Letter to Mr. M'Cuulloch. Report of Indian agent. Reply of Mr. Edwards. Further defeat of the enemies of the missionCHAPTER XXII. Letter to his eldest son. Return of greater PART of the Mohawks. Letter to commissioners. Mission of Mr.Hawley to Onohquauga. Remainder of Mohawks directed to return. 'Freedom of the Will.' Letter to Mr. Erskine. Proposals of society in London. Letter to Mr. Gillespie. Design and character of the 'Freedom of the Will.' Letters from Mr. Hollis. Surrender of Mohawk school to Mr. Edwards. Entire defeat of enemies of mission. Return of remaining MohawksCHAPTER XXIII. Sickness of Mr. Edwards. “God's Last End in Creation.” “Nature of Virtue.” Mr. Edwards's second son resides at Onohquauga. Dangers of the war. Letter to Mr. Erskine. Letter to Col. Williams. Lord Kaimes. Letter to Mr. Erskine. Letter to Mr. M'Cullock. Letter of Dr. Bellamy. “Treatise on Original Sin.” Letter to his father. Letter to Mr. Erskine.CHAPTER XXIV. Death of President Burr. His character. Mr. Edwards chosen his successor. Letters of Mrs. Burr—To a gentleman in Scotland—To a gentleman in Boston—To her mother. Letter of Mr. Edwards, to the trustees of the college. Letter of Mrs. Burr, to her father. Letter to Dr. Rellamy. Council dismiss Mr. Edwards. Inauguration as president. First Sermon at Princeton. Sickness, Death. Letter of Dr. Shippen. Letters of Mrs. Edwards and of her daughter, to Mrs. Burr. Death of Mrs. Burr. Death of Mrs. Edwards.CHAPTER XXV. Concluding remarks · Part 1CHAPTER XXV. Concluding remarks · Part 2CHAPTER XXV. Concluding remarks · Part 3CHAPTER XXV. Concluding remarks · Part 4A Farewell Sermon · ON JUNE 32, 1750;A Farewell Sermon · PREFACE.A Farewell Sermon · APPLICATIONNO.NO.II. Particulars as to the Life and Death of Mr. Richard Edwards, the grandfather of Jonathan EdwardsNO.III. Account of the Children of Timothy and Esther Edwards.NO.IV. Remarks in Mental Philosophy. The Mind. · Part 1NO.IV. Remarks in Mental Philosophy. The Mind. · Part 2NO.IV. Remarks in Mental Philosophy. The Mind. · Part 3NO.IV. Remarks in Mental Philosophy. The Mind. · Part 4NO.IV. Remarks in Mental Philosophy. The Mind. · Part 5NO.V. Family and Descendants of President EdwardsNO. VIPreface.SECTION I. Concerning the Nature of the WillSECTION II. Concerning the Determination of the Will.SECTION III. Concerning the meaning of the terms, Necessity, Impossibility, Inability, &c. and of Contingence.SECTION IV Of the distinction of natural and moral Necessity, and Inability.SECTION V. Concerning the notion of Liberty, and of moral Agency.SECTION I. Showing the manifest inconsistence of the Arminian notion of Liberty of Will, consisting in the Will's self-determining Power.SECTION II. Several supposed ways of evading the foregoing reasoning, considered.SECTION III. Whether any Event whatsoever, and Volition in particular, can come to pass without a Cause of its existence.SECTION IV. Whether Volition can arise without a Cause, through the activity of the nature of the soul.SECTION V. Showing, that if the things asserted in these Evasions should be supposed to be true, they are altogether impertinent, and cannot help the cause of Arminian Liberty; and how, this being the state of the case, Arminian writers are obliged to talk inconsistently.SECTION VI. Concerning the Will determining in things which are perfectly indifferent in the view of the mind.SECTION VII. Concerning the notion of Liberty of Will, consisting in Indifference.SECTION VIII. Concerning the supposed Liberty of the Will, as opposite to all Necessity.SECTION IX. Of the Connexion of the Acts of the Will with the Dictates of the Understanding.SECTION X. Volition necessarily connected with the influence of Motives; with particular observations of the great inconsistence of Mr. Chubb's assertions and reasonings about the Freedom of the Will.SECTION XI. The evidence of God's certain Foreknowledge of the Volitions of moral Agents.SECTION XII. God's certain Foreknowledge of the future volitions of moral agents, inconsistent with such a Contingence of those violations as is without all Necessity.SECTION XIII. Whether we suppose the volitions of moral Agents to be connected with any thing antecedent, or not, yet they must be necessary in such a sense as to overthrow Arminian Liberty.SECTION I. God's moral Excellency necessary, yet virtuous and praise-worthy.SECTION II. The Acts of the Will of the human soul of Jesus Christ, necessarily holy, yet truly virtuous, praise-worthy, rewardable, &c.SECTION III. The case of such as are given up of God to sin, and of fallen man in general, proves moral Necessity and Inability to be consistent with Blameworthiness.SECTION IV. Command and Obligation of Obedience, consistent with moral Inability to obey.SECTION V. That Sincerity of Desires and Endeavours, which is supposed to excuse in the non-performance of things in themselves good, particularly considered.SECTION VI. Liberty of Indifference, not only not necessary to Virtue, but utterly inconsistent with it; and all, either virtuous or vicious habits or inclinations, inconsistent with Arminian notions of Liberty and moral Agency.SECTION VII. Arminian notions of moral Agency inconsistent with all influence of Motive and Inducement, in either virtuous or vicious actions.SECTION I. The Essence of the virtue and vice of dispositions of the heart, and acts of the Will, lies not in their Cause, but their Nature.SECTION II. The Falseness and Inconsistence of that metaphysical notion of Action, and Agency, which seems to be generally entertained by the defenders of the Arminian Doctrine concerning Liberty, moral Agency, &c.SECTION III. The reasons why some think it contrary to common Sense, to suppose those things which are necessary to be worthy of either Praise or Blame.SECTION IV. It is agreeable to common sense, and the natural notions of mankind, to suppose moral Necessity to be consistent with Praise and Blame, Reward and Punishment.SECTION V. Objections, that this scheme of Necessity renders all Means and Endeavours for avoiding Sin, or obtaining Virtue and Holiness, vain, and to no purpose; and that it makes men no more than mere machines, in affairs of morality and religion, answered.SECTION VI. Concerning that objection against the doctrine which has been maintained, that it agrees with the Stoical doctrine of Fate, and the opinions of Mr. Hobbes.SECTION VII. Concerning the Necessity of the Divine Will.SECTION VIII. Some further objections against the moral Necessity of God's Volitions considered.SECTION IX. Concerning that objection against the doctrine which has been maintained, that it makes God the Author of Sin.SECTION X. Concerning sin's first Entrance into the world.SECTION XI. Of a supposed Inconsistence between these principles and God's moral character.SECTION XII. Of a supposed tendency of these principles to Atheism and Licentiousness.SECTION XIII. Concerning that objection against the reasoning, by which the Calvinistic doctrine is supposed, that it is metaphysical and abstruse.SECTION XIV. The Conclusion.SECTION XV. Containing Remarks on the Essays on the Principles of Morality and Natural Religion, in a Letter to a Minister of the Church of Scotland.Preface.Introduction—Explanation of terms.SECTION I. The general dictates of reason.SECTION II. What reason supposes.SECTION III. How God regards himself.SECTION IV. Some objections considered.SECTION I. Scripture makes God his last end.SECTION II. Concerning a just method of arguing.SECTION III. Particular texts of Scripture.SECTION IV. God created the world for his name, &c.SECTION V. Communication of good to the creature.SECTION VI. What is meant by the glory of God, &c.SECTION VII. God's last end is but one.CHAPTER I. Concerning the essence of true virtue.CHAPTER II. How love respects different beings.CHAPTER III. Concerning the secondary beauty.CHAPTER IV. Of self-love and its influence.CHAPTER V. Natural conscience, and the moral sense.CHAPTER VI. Of particular instincts of natureCHAPTER VII. The reasons of many mistakesCHAPTER VIII. Whether virtue be founded in sentiment.VII. The great christian doctrine of original sin defended.Advertisement, containing a brief account of this book and its author, by the first editor.The author's Preface.SECTION I. All men tend to sin and ruin.SECTION II. Universal sin proves a sinful propensity.SECTION III. This tendency most corrupt and pernicious.SECTION IV. All men sin immediately, &c.SECTION V. All have more sin than virtue.SECTION VI. Men's proneness to extreme stupidity, &c.SECTION VII. Generality of mankind, wicked.SECTION VIII. Great means used to oppose wickedness.SECTION IX. Several evasions considered.CHAPTER II. Arguments from universal Mortality.SECTION I. Concerning Adam's original righteousness.SECTION II. Death threatened to our first parents.SECTION III. Adam a federal head, &c.CHAPTER II. Observations on Texts, chiefly of the Old Testament, &c.SECTION I. Observations on John iii.6.SECTION II. Observations on Rom. iii. 9-24.SECTION III. Observations on Rom. v. 6-10. and Eph. ii. 3SECTION I. Remarks on Dr. Taylor's way of explaining this text.SECTION II. The true scope of Rom. v. 12, &c.CHAPTER I. Proofs from Redemption by Christ.CHAPTER II. Proof from Application of Redemption.PART IV. Containing Answers to Objections.CHAPTER II. God not the Author of Sin.CHAPTER III. The Imputation of Adam's Sin stated.CHAPTER IV. Several other Objections answered.VIII. A TREATISE CONCERNING RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS, IN THREE PARTS.PrefaceSECTION I. Previous remarks on the affections.SECTION II. True religion lies much in affections.SECTION III. Inferences from the doctrine.PART II. Showing what are no certain Signs that Religious Affections are truly gracious, or that they are not.SECTION I. Raised very high, are no sign.SECTION II. Great effects on the body, are no sign.SECTION III. Fluency and fervour, are no sign.SECTION IV. That they are not excited by us, is no sign.SECTION V. That they come with texts of Scripture, is no sign.SECTION IV. That they are not excited by us, is no sign.SECTION VII. Religious affections of many kinds, are no sign.SECTION VIII. Joys following in a certain order, are no sign.SECTION IX. Much time and zeal in duty, are no sign.SECTION X. Much expression of praise, is no sign.SECTION XI. Great confidence, is no certain sign.SECTION XII. Affecting relations, are no sign.Introductory remarks.SECTION I. Gracious affections are from divine influence. · Part 1SECTION I. Gracious affections are from divine influence. · Part 2SECTION I. Gracious affections are from divine influence. · Part 3SECTION II. Their object is the excellence of divine things.SECTION III. They are founded on the moral excellency of objects.SECTION IV. They arise from divine Illumination.SECTION V. They are attended with a conviction of certainty.SECTION VI. They are attended with evangelical humiliation. · Part 1SECTION VI. They are attended with evangelical humiliation. · Part 2SECTION VI. They are attended with evangelical humiliation. · Part 3SECTION VII. They are attended with a change of nature.SECTION VIII. They beget and promote the temper of Jesus.SECTION IX. Gracious affections soften the heart.SECTION X. They have beautiful symmetry and proportion.SECTION XI. False affections rest satisfied in themselves.SECTION XII. Their fruit is Christian practice.SECTION XIII. Christian practice is the chief sign to others.SECTION XIV. Christian practice is the chief sign to ourselves · Part 1SECTION XIV. Christian practice is the chief sign to ourselves · Part 2SECTION XIV. Christian practice is the chief sign to ourselves · Part 3SECTION XIV. Christian practice is the chief sign to ourselves · Part 4APPENDIX to the Treatise on the Affections.LETTER I. To Mr. Gillespie, in answer to objections.II. To Mr. Gillespie, in answer to further objections.PrefaceSECTION I. A general introductory statement.SECTION II. Manner of conversion various, yet bearing a great analogy. · Part 1SECTION II. Manner of conversion various, yet bearing a great analogy. · Part 2SECTION II. Manner of conversion various, yet bearing a great analogy. · Part 3SECTION III. This work further illustrated in particular instances.Preface.PART I. A glorious Work of God.SECTION I. We should judge of it by its effects.SECTION II. We should judge by Scripture.SECTION III. We should not judge of the whole by a part.SECTION IV. Nature of the work.SECTION V. Nature of the work in a particular instance.SECTION VI. The work glorious.SECTION I. Indifference dangerous.SECTION II. The probability that the latter-day glory will begin in America.SECTION III. The danger of slighting the work.SECTION IV. Obligations of rulers and others to promote the work.PART III. Wherein the zealous Promoters of this Work have been injuriously blamed.PART IV. What things are to be corrected and avoided.SECTION I. Spiritual pride.SECTION II. Wrong principles.SECTION III. Ignorance of inward experiences.SECTION IV. Of censuring professing Christians.SECTION V. Errors relative to lay-exhorting.SECTION VI. Errors relative to singing.PART V. What ought to be done to promote this work.SECTION I. We should remove stumbling blocks.SECTION II. What should be done to advance it.SECTION III. Some things that concern all.XI. INQUIRY CONCERNING QUALIFICATION FOR COMMUNION.Preface by the Author.Preface by the Author's American friends.Advertisement to the Edinburgh edition.PART I. The Question stated and explained.PART II. Reasons for the Negative of the Question.SECTION I. Church members should be visible saints.SECTION II. Profession of religion.SECTION III. Profession should be of real piety.SECTION IV. Reason requires a hearty profession.SECTION V. Christ requires it.SECTION VI. Primitive admissions.SECTION VII. The epistles prove it.SECTION VIII. Members united by brotherly love.SECTION IX. Qualifications for the Lord's supper.OBJ. I. The churchy is the school of Christ.OBJ. II. Israel was God's people.OBJ. III. Jews partook of the Passover.OBJ. IV. John's disciples made no profession of piety.OBJ. V. Many are called, but few chosen.OBJ. VI. Wheat and tares grow together.OBJ. VII. Case of Judas.OBJ. VIII. No certain rule given.OBJ. IX. If grace be required, it must be known.OBJ. X. Perplexity occasioned.OBJ. XI. All duties of worship holy.OBJ. XII. Tendency of the Lord's supper.OBJ. XIII. God does not require impossibilities.OBJ. XIV. Unsanctified persons may live as saints.OBJ. XV. Better admit hypocrites than exclude saints.OBJ. XVI. Hypocrites will be admitted.OBJ. XVII. True saints doubt of their state.OBJ. XVIII. Men's opinion of themselves no criterion.OBJ. XIX Infant baptism.OBJ. XX. Some have been converted at the sacrament.Appendix. Mr. Foxcroft's letter.XII. MISREPRESENTATIONS CORRECTED AND TRUTH VINDICATED, IN REPLY TO THE REV. SOLOMON WILLIAMS.Preface.SECTION I. What is the question?SECTION II. Degrees of evidence.SECTION I. His concessions.SECTION II. Consequences.SECTION III. Of ungodly men's communing.SECTION IV. Of an indeterminate profession.SECTION V. Mr. W. inconsistent with Mr. Stoddard.SECTION VI. Visibility without probability.SECTION VII. A converting ordinance.SECTION VIII. Of sincerity.SECTION IX. Public covenanting.SECTION I. Method of disputing.SECTION II. Misrepresentations.SECTION III. Irrelevant arguments.SECTION IV. Extraordinary notions.SECTION V. Assertions instead of arguments.SECTION VI. Sacramental actions.SECTION VII. Begging the question.SECTION VIII. Mr. W. begs the question.SECTION IX. Mr. W. is inconsistent with himself.SECTION X. Other inconsistencies.SECTION XI. Arguments hostile to both sidesSECTION XII. The passover and circumcision.SECTION XIII. Of Judas's communicating.SECTION XIV. Of being born in covenant.SECTION XV. Of coming without a known right.SECTION XVI. Tendency to perplexity.SECTION XVII. Of commanding to partake.Appendix. A letter to the people of Northampton.Preface.Advertisement.General Introduction.PERIOD I. From the Fall to the Incarnation.PART I. From the Fall to the Flood.PART II. From the Flood to the calling of Abraham.PART III. From Abraham to Moses.PART IV. From Moses to David.PART V. From David to the Babylonish Captivity. · Part 1PART V. From David to the Babylonish Captivity. · Part 2PART V. From David to the Babylonish Captivity. · Part 3PART VI. From the Captivity to Christ. · Part 1PART VI. From the Captivity to Christ. · Part 2PART VI. From the Captivity to Christ. · Part 3PART VII. Improvement of the First PERIOD.PERIOD II. From Christ's Incarnation to his Resurrection.PART I. Of Christ's Incarnation.PART II. The Purchase of Redemption.PART III. Improvement of the Second PERIOD.PERIOD III. From Christ's Resurrection the End of the World.SECTION I. Scriptural Representations of this PERIOD.SECTION II. How Christ was capacitated for effecting his Purpose.SECTION III. Established Means of Success.SECTION IV. How the Success was carried on.PART I. To the Destruction of Jerusalem.PART II. To the Time of Constantine.PART III. To the Rise of Antichrist.PART IV. To the Reformation.PART V. To the present Time.PART VI. Improvement of past Events.PART VII. To the Fall of Antichrist.PART VIII. To the End of Time.PART IX. The General JudgmentPART X. Improvement of the Whole.XIV Five discourses on the soul's eternal salvation.Preface.DISCOURSE. I. Justification by Faith alone. · Part 1DISCOURSE. I. Justification by Faith alone. · Part 2DISCOURSE. I. Justification by Faith alone. · Part 3DISCOURSE. I. Justification by Faith alone. · Part 4DISCOURSE. I. Justification by Faith alone. · Part 5DISCOURSE. I. Justification by Faith alone. · Part 6DISCOURSE. I. Justification by Faith alone. · Part 7DISCOURSE. I. Justification by Faith alone. · Part 8DISCOURSE. I. Justification by Faith alone. · Part 9DISCOURSE. I. Justification by Faith alone. · Part 10DISCOURSE. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. · Part 1DISCOURSE. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. · Part 2DISCOURSE. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. · Part 3DISCOURSE. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. · Part 4DISCOURSE. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. · Part 5DISCOURSE. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. · Part 6DISCOURSE. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. · Part 7DISCOURSE. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. · Part 8DISCOURSE. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. · Part 9DISCOURSE. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. · Part 10DISCOURSE. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. · Part 1DISCOURSE. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. · Part 2DISCOURSE. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. · Part 3DISCOURSE. III. RuthDISCOURSE. IV. The Justice of God in the Damnation of Sinners. · Part 1DISCOURSE. IV. The Justice of God in the Damnation of Sinners. · Part 2DISCOURSE. IV. The Justice of God in the Damnation of Sinners. · Part 3DISCOURSE. IV. The Justice of God in the Damnation of Sinners. · Part 4DISCOURSE. V. The Excellency of Jesus Christ. · Part 1DISCOURSE. V. The Excellency of Jesus Christ. · Part 2DISCOURSE. V. The Excellency of Jesus Christ. · Part 3DISCOURSE. V. The Excellency of Jesus Christ. · Part 4XV THEOLOGICAL QUESTIONS.

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DISCOURSE. V. The Excellency of Jesus Christ. · Part 3

II. Let the consideration of this wonderful meeting of diverse excellencies in Christ induce you to accept of him, and close with him as your Saviour. As all manner of excellencies meet in him, so there are concurring in him all manner of arguments and motives, to move you to choose him for your Saviour, and every thing that tends to encourage poor sinners to come and put their trust in him: his fulness and all-sufficiency as a Saviour gloriously appear in that variety of excellencies that has been spoken of.

Fallen man is in a state of exceeding great misery, and is helpless in it; he is a poor weak creature, like an infant cast out in its blood in the day that it is born. But Christ is the Lion of the tribe of Judah; he is strong, though we are weak; he hath prevailed to do that for us which no creature else could do. Fallen man is a mean despicable creature, a contemptible worm; but Christ, who has undertaken for us, is infinitely honourable and worthy. Fallen man is polluted, but Christ is infinitely holy; fallen man is hateful, but Christ is infinitely lovely; fallen man is the object of God’s indignation, but Christ is infinitely dear to him. We have dreadfully provoked God, but Christ has performed that which is infinitely precious in God’s eyes.

And here is not only infinite strength and infinite worthiness, but infinite condescension, and love and mercy, as great as power and dignity. If you are a poor, distressed sinner, whose heart is ready to sink for fear that God never will have mercy on you, you need not be afraid to go to Christ, for fear that he is either unable or unwilling to help you. Here is a strong foundation, and an inexhaustible treasure, to answer the necessities of your poor soul; and here is infinite and gentleness to invite and imbolden a poor, unworthy, fearful soul to come to it. If Christ accepts of you, you need not fear but that you will be safe; for he is a strong Lion for your defence. And if you come, you need not fear but that you shall be accepted; for he is like a Lamb to all that come to him, and receives them with infinite and tenderness. It is true he has awful majesty; he is the great God, and infinitely high above you; but there is this to encourage and imbolden the poor sinner, that Christ is man as well as God; he is a creature, as well as the Creator; and he is the most humble and lowly in heart of any creature in heaven or earth. This may well make the poor unworthy creature bold in coming to him. You need not hesitate one moment; but may run to him, and cast yourself upon him. You will certainly be graciously and meekly received by him. Though he is a lion, he will only be a lion to your enemies; but he will be a lamb to you. It could not have been conceived, had it not been so in the person of Christ, that there could have been so much in any Saviour, that is inviting and tending to encourage sinners to trust in him. Whatever your circumstances are, you need not be afraid to come to such a Saviour as this. Be you never so wicked a creature, here is worthiness enough; be you never so poor, and mean, and ignorant a creature, there is no danger of being despised; for though he be so much greater than you, he is also immensely more humble than you. Any one of you that is a father or mother, will not despise one of your own children that comes to you in distress: much less danger is there of Christ despising you, if you in your heart come to him. Here let me a little expostulate with the poor, burdened, distressed soul.

1. What are you afraid of, that you dare not venture your soul upon Christ? Are you afraid that he cannot save you; that he is not strong enough to conquer the enemies of your soul? But how can you desire one stronger than the “mighty God?” as Christ is called, Isa. ix. 6. Is there need of greater than infinite strength? Are you afraid that he will not be willing to stoop so low as to take any gracious notice of you? But then, look on him, as he stood in the ring of soldiers, exposing his blessed face to be buffeted and spit upon by them! Behold him bound with his back uncovered to those that smote him! And behold him hanging on the cross! Do you think that he that had condescension enough to stoop to these things, and that for his crucifiers, will be unwilling to accept of you if you come to him? Or, are you afraid that if he does accept of you, that God the Father will not accept of him for you? But consider, will God reject his own Son, in whom his infinite delight is, and has been, from all eternity, and who is so united to him, that if he should reject him he would reject himself?

2. What is there that you can desire should be in a Saviour, that is not in Christ? Or, wherein should you desire a Saviour should be otherwise than Christ is? What excellency is there wanting? What is there that is great or good; what is there that is venerable or winning; what is there that is adorable or endearing; or, what can you think of that would be encouraging, which is not to be found in the person of Christ? Would you have your Saviour to be great and honourable, because you are not willing to be beholden to a mean person? And, is not Christ a person honourable enough to be worthy that you should be dependent on him; is he not a person high enough to be appointed to so honourable a work as your salvation? Would you not only have a Saviour of high degree, but would you have him, notwithstanding his exaltation and dignity, to be made also of low degree, that he might have experience of afflictions and trials, that he might learn by the things that he has suffered, to pity them that suffer and are tempted? And has not Christ been made low enough for you? and has he not suffered enough? Would you not only have him possess experience of the afflictions you now suffer, but also of that amazing wrath that you fear hereafter, that he may know how to pity those that are in danger, and afraid of it? This Christ has had experience of, which experience gave him a greater sense of it, a thousand times, than you have, or any man living has. Would you have your Saviour to be one who is near to God, that so his mediation might be prevalent with him? And can you desire him to be nearer to God than Christ is, who is his only-begotten Son, of the same essence with the Father? And would you not only have him near to God, but also near to you, that you may have free access to him? And would you have him nearer to you than to be in the same nature, united to you by a spiritual union, so close as to be fitly represented by the union of the wife to the husband, of the branch to the vine, of the member to the head; yea, so as to be one spirit? For so he will be united to you, if you accept of him. Would you have a Saviour that has given some great and extraordinary testimony of mercy and love to sinners, by something that he has done, as well as by what he says? And can you think or conceive of greater things than Christ has done? Was it not a great thing for him, who was God, to take upon him human nature; to be not only God, but man thenceforward to all eternity? But would you look upon suffering for sinners to be a yet greater testimony of love to sinners, than merely doing, though it be ever so extraordinary a thing that he has done? And would you desire that a Saviour should suffer more than Christ has suffered for sinners? What is there wanting, or what would you add if you could, to make him more fit to be your Saviour? But further, to induce you to accept of Christ as your Saviour, consider two things particularly.

(1.) How much Christ appears as the Lamb of God in his invitations to you to come to him and trust in him. With what sweet and kindness does he, from time to time, call and invite you; as Prov. viii. 4. “Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.” And Isaiah lv. 1, 2, 3. “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price.” How gracious is he here in inviting every one that thirsts, and in so repeating his invitation over and over, Isa. 55:1.“Come ye to the waters; come, buy and eat; yea, come!” Mark the excellency of that entertainment which he invites you to accept of, “Come, buy wine and milk!” your poverty, having nothing to pay for it, shall be no objection,—“Come, he that hath no money, come without money, and without price!” What gracious arguments and expostulations he uses with you! Isaiah lv. 2. “ do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” As much as to say, It is altogether needless for you to continue labouring and toiling for that which can never serve your turn, seeking rest in the world, and in your own :—I have made abundant provision for you, of that which is really good, and will fully satisfy your desires, and answer your end, and stand ready to accept of you: you need not be afraid; if you will come to me, I will engage to see all your wants supplied, and you made a happy creature. As he promises in the third verse, Isaiah lv. 3.“Incline your ear, and come unto me: Hear, and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting with you, even the sure mercies of David.” And so, Prov. ix. at the beginning. How gracious and sweet is the invitation there! “Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither;” let you be never so poor, ignorant, and blind a creature, you shall be welcome. And in the following words, Christ sets forth the provision that he has made for you, Prov. ix. 5. “Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.” You are in a poor famishing state, and have nothing wherewith to feed your perishing soul; you have been seeking something, but yet remain destitute. Hearken, how Christ calls you to eat of his bread, and to drink of the wine that he hath mingled! And how much like a lamb does Christ appear in Matt. xi. 28-30. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” O thou poor distressed soul! whoever thou art, consider that Christ mentions thy very case, when he calls to them who labour and are heavy laden! How he repeatedly promises you rest if you come to him! In the 28th verse he says, “I will give you rest.” And in the 29th verse, “Ye shall find rest to your souls.” This is what you want. This is the thing you have been so long in vain seeking after. O how sweet would rest be to you, if you could but obtain it! Come to Christ, and you shall obtain it. And hear how Christ, to encourage you, represents himself as a lamb! He tells you, that he is and lowly in heart; and are you afraid to come to such a one? And again, Rev. iii. 20. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and I will sup with him, and he with me.” Christ condescends not only to call you to him, but he comes to you; he comes to your door, and there knocks. He might send an officer and seize you as a rebel and vile malefactor; but instead of that, he comes and knocks at your door, and seeks that you would receive him into your house, as your Friend and Saviour. And he not only knocks at your door, but he stands there waiting, while you are backward and unwilling. And not only so, but he makes promises what he will do for you, if you will admit him, what privileges he will admit you to; he will sup with you, and you with him. And again, Rev. xxii. 16, 17. “I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, say, come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.” How does Christ here graciously set before you his own winning attractive excellency! And how does he condescend to declare to you not only his own invitation, but the invitation of the Spirit and the bride, if by any means he might encourage you to come! And how does he invite every one that will, that they may “take of the water of life freely,” that they may take it as a free gift, however precious it be, and though it be the water of life!

(2.) If you do come to Christ, he will appear as a Lion, in his glorious power and dominion, to defend you. All those excellencies of his, in which he appears as a lion, shall be yours, and shall be employed for you in your defence, for your safety, and to promote your glory; he will be as a lion to fight against your enemies. He that touches you, or offends you, will provoke his wrath, as he that stirs up a lion. Unless your enemies can conquer this Lion, they shall not be able to destroy or hurt you; unless they are stronger than he, they shall not be able to hinder your happiness. Isa. xxxi. 4. “For thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them; so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.”

III. Let what has been said be improved to induce you to love the Lord Jesus Christ, and choose him for your friend and portion. As there is such an admirable meeting of diverse excellencies in Christ, so there is every thing in him to render him worthy of your love and choice, and to win and engage it. Whatsoever there is or can be desirable in a friend, is in Christ, and that to the highest degree that can be desired.

Would you choose for a friend a person of great dignity? It is a thing taking with men to have those for their friends who are much above them; because they look upon themselves honoured by the friendship of such. Thus, how taking would it be with an inferior maid to be the object of the dear love of some great and excellent prince. But Christ is infinitely above you, and above all the princes of the earth; for he is the King of kings. So honourable a person as this offers himself to you, in the nearest and dearest friendship.

And would you choose to have a friend not only great but good? In Christ infinite greatness and infinite goodness meet together, and receive lustre and glory one from another. His greatness is rendered lovely by his goodness. The greater any one is without goodness, so much the greater evil; but when infinite goodness is joined with greatness, it renders it a glorious and adorable greatness. So, on the other hand, his infinite goodness receives lustre from his greatness. He that is of great understanding and ability, and is withal of a good and excellent disposition, is deservedly more esteemed than a lower and lesser being, with the same kind inclination and good will. Indeed goodness is excellent in whatever subject it be found; it is beauty and excellency itself, and renders all excellent that are possessed of it; and yet most excellent when joined with greatness. The very same excellent qualities of gold render the body in which they are inherent more precious, and of greater value, when joined with greater than when with lesser dimensions. And how glorious is the sight, to see him who is the great Creator and supreme Lord of heaven and earth, full of condescension, tender pity and mercy, towards the mean and unworthy! His almighty power, and infinite majesty and self-sufficiency, render his exceeding love and the more surprising. And how do his condescension and compassion endear his majesty, power, and dominion, and render those attributes pleasant, that would otherwise be only terrible! Would you not desire that your friend, though great and honourable, should be of such condescension and , and so to have the way opened to free access to him, that his exaltation above you might not hinder your free enjoyment of his friendship?—And would you choose not only that the infinite greatness and majesty of your friend should be, as it were, mollified and sweetened with condescension and ; but would you also desire to have your friend brought nearer to you? Would you choose a friend far above you, and yet as it were upon a level with you too? Though it be taking with men to have a near and dear friend of superior dignity, yet there is also an inclination in them to have their friend a sharer with them in circumstances. Thus is Christ. Though he be the great God, yet he has, as it were, brought himself down to be upon a level with you, so as to become man as you are, that he might not only be your Lord, but your brother, and that he might be the more fit to be a companion for such a worm of the dust. This is one end of Christ’s taking upon him man’s nature, that his people might be under advantages for a more familiar converse with him, than the infinite distance of the divine nature would allow of. And upon this account the church longed for Christ’s , Cant. viii. 1. “O that thou wert my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find thee without, I would kiss thee, yea, I should not be despised.” One design of God in the gospel, is to bring us to make God the object of our undivided respect, that he may engross our regard every way, that whatever natural inclination there is in our souls, he may be the centre of it; that God may be all in all. But there is an inclination in the creature, not only to the adoration of a Lord and , but to complacence in some one as a friend, to love and delight in some one that may be conversed with as a companion. And virtue and do not destroy or weaken this inclination of our nature. But so hath God contrived in the affair of our , that a divine person may be the object even of this inclination of our nature. And in order hereto, such an one is come down to us; and has taken our nature, and is become one of us, and calls himself our friend, brother, and companion. Psal. cxxii. 8. “For my brethren and companions’ sake, will I now say, Peace be within thee.”

But is it not enough in order to invite and encourage you to free access to a friend so great and high, that he is one of infinite condescending , and also has taken your own nature, and is become man? But would you, further to imbolden and win you, have him a man of wonderful and humility? Why, such an one is Christ! He is not only become man for you, but far the meekest and most humble of all men, the greatest instance of these sweet virtues that ever was, or will be. And besides these, he has all other human excellencies in the highest perfection. These, indeed, are no proper addition to his divine excellencies. Christ has no more excellency in his person, since his , than he had before; for divine excellency is infinite, and cannot be added to. Yet his human excellencies are additional manifestations of his glory and excellency to us, and are additional recommendations of him to our esteem and love, who are of finite comprehension. Though his human excellencies are but communications and reflections of his divine; and though this light, as reflected, falls infinitely short of the divine fountain of light in its immediate glory; yet the reflection shines not without its proper advantages, as presented to our view and affection. The glory of Christ in the qualifications of his human nature, appears to us in excellencies that are of our own kind, and are exercised in our own way and manner; and so, in some respects, are peculiarly fitted to invite our acquaintance and draw our affection. The glory of Christ as it appears in his divinity, though far brighter, more dazzles our eyes, and exceeds the strength of our sight or our comprehension; but, as it shines in the human excellencies of Christ, it is brought more to a level with our conceptions, and suitableness to our nature and manner, yet retaining a semblance of the same divine beauty, and a savour of the same divine sweetness. But as both divine and human excellencies meet together in Christ, they set off and recommend each other to us. It tends to endear the divine majesty and of Christ to us, that these are attributes of one in our nature, one of us, who is become our brother, and is the meekest and humblest of men. It encourages us to look upon these divine perfections, however high and great; since we have some near concern in, and liberty freely to enjoy them. And on the other hand, how much more glorious and surprising do the , the humility, obedience, resignation, and other human excellencies of Christ appear, when we consider that they are in so great a person, as the eternal Son of God, the Lord of heaven and earth!

By your choosing Christ for your friend and portion, you will obtain these two infinite benefits.

1. Christ will give himself to you, with all those various excellencies that meet in him, to your full and everlasting enjoyment. He will ever after treat you as his dear friend; and you shall long be where he is, and shall behold his glory, and dwell with him, in most free and intimate communion and enjoyment.

When the get to heaven, they shall not merely see Christ, and have to do with him as subjects and servants with a glorious and gracious Lord and , but Christ will entertain them as friends and brethren. This we may learn from the manner of Christ’s conversing with his disciples here on earth: though he was their Lord, and did not refuse, but required, their supreme respect and adoration, yet he did not treat them as earthly sovereigns are wont to do their subjects. He did not keep them at an awful distance; but all along conversed with them with the most friendly familiarity, as a father amongst a company of children, yea, as with brethren. So he did with the twelve, and so he did with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He told his disciples, that he did not call them servants, but friends; and we read of one of them that leaned on his bosom: and doubtless he will not treat his disciples with less freedom and endearment in heaven. He will not keep them at a greater distance for his being in a state of exaltation; but he will rather take them into a state of exaltation with him. This will be the improvement Christ will make of his own glory, to make his beloved friends partakers with him, to glorify them in his glory, as he says to his Father, John xvii. 22, 23. “And the glory which thou hast given me, have I given them, that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them,” &c. We are to consider, that though Christ is greatly exalted, yet he is exalted, not as a private person for himself only, but as his people’s head; he is exalted in their name, and upon their account, as the first fruits, and as representing the whole harvest. He is not exalted that he may be at a greater distance from them, but that they may be exalted with him. The exaltation and honour of the head is not to make a greater distance between the head and the members; but the members have the same relation and union with the head they had before, and are honoured with the head; and instead of the distance being greater, the union shall be nearer and more perfect. When believers get to heaven, Christ will conform them to himself; as he is set down in his Father’s throne, so they shall sit down with him on his throne, and shall in their measure be made like him.

When Christ was going to heaven, he comforted his disciples with the thought, that after a while, he would come again and take them to himself, that they might be with him. And we are not to suppose that when the disciples got to heaven, they found him keeping a greater distance than he used to do. No, doubtless, he embraced them as friends, and welcomed them to his and their Father’s house, and to his and their glory. They who had been his friends in this world, who had been together with him here, and had together partaken of sorrows and troubles, are now welcomed by him to rest, and to partake of glory with him. He took them and led them into his chambers, and showed them all his glory; as he prayed, John xvii. 24. “Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me, that they may behold the glory which thou hast given me.” And he led them to his living fountains of waters, and made them partake of his delights; as he prays, John xvii. 13. “That my joy may be fulfilled in themselves;” and set them down with him at his table in his kingdom, and made them partake with him of his dainties, according to his promise, Luke xxii. 30. and led them into his banqueting house, and made them to drink new wine with him in the kingdom of his heavenly Father, as he foretold them when he instituted the , Matt. xxvi. 29.

Yea, the ’ with Christ in heaven shall not only be as intimate, and their access to him as free, as of the disciples on earth, but in many respects much more so; for in heaven, that vital union shall be perfect, which is exceeding imperfect here. While the are in this world, there are great remains of sin and darkness, to separate or disunite them from Christ, which shall then all be removed. This is not a time for that full acquaintance, and those glorious manifestations of love, which Christ designs for his people hereafter; which seems to be signified by his speech to Mary Magdalene, when ready to embrace him, when she met him after his resurrection; John xx. 17. “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father.”

When the shall see Christ’s glory and exaltation in heaven, it will indeed possess their hearts with the greater admiration and adoring respect, but will not awe them into any separation, but will serve only to heighten their surprise and joy, when they find Christ condescending to admit them to such intimate access, and so freely and fully communicating himself to them. So that if we choose Christ for our friend and portion, we shall hereafter be so received to him, that there shall be nothing to hinder the fullest enjoyment of him, to the satisfying the utmost cravings of our souls. We may take our full swing at gratifying our spiritual appetite after these holy pleasures. Christ will then say, as in Cant. v. 1. “Eat, O friends, drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.” And this shall be our entertainment to all eternity! There shall never be any end of this happiness, or any thing to interrupt our enjoyment of it, or in the least to molest us in it!