Christian Classics
‹ Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume Two
Contents
Introduction To The Works Of Jonathan EdwardsAdvertisement respecting the First SermonSermon I. God glorified in Man's DependenceSermon II. Sinners in the Hands of an angry God.Sermon I. A Divine and Supernatural LightSermon II. The Church's Marriage · Part 1Sermon II. The Church's Marriage · Part 2Sermon II. The Church's Marriage · Part 3Sermon III. True Saints · TRUE SAINTS, WHEN ABSENT FROM THE BODY, ARE PRESENT WITH THE LORD.Sermon III. True Saints · APPLICATIONSermon IV. God's Awful JudgmentSermon V. True Grace · Part 1Sermon V. True Grace · Part 2Sermon V. True Grace · Part 3PrefaceSermon I. Manner of Salvation of SoulsSermon II. THE UNREASONABLENESS OF INDETERMINATION IN RELIGIONSermon III. UNBELIEVERS CONTEMN THE GLORY AND EXCELLENCY OF CHRISTSermon IV. THE FOLLY OF LOOKING BACK IN FLEEING OUT OF SODOMSermon V. THE FOLLY OF LOOKING BACK IN FLEEING OUT OF SODOM.Sermon VI. THE WARNINGS OF SCRIPTURE ARE IN THE BEST MANNER ADAPTED TO THE AWAKENING AND CONVERSION OF SINNERSSermon VII. HYPOCRITES DEFICIENT IN THE DUTY OF PRAYERSermon VIII. HYPOCRITES DEFICIENT IN THE DUTY OF PRAYER.Sermon IX. THE FUTURE PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED UNAVOIDABLE AND INTOLERABLE.Sermon X. THE FUTURE PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED UNAVOIDABLE AND INTOLERABLE.Sermon XI. THE ETERNITY OF HELL TORMENTS.Sermon XII. THE PEACE WHICH CHRIST GIVES HIS TRUE FOLLOWERS.Sermon XIII. THE PERPETUITY AND CHANGE OF THE SABBATH.Sermon XIV. THE PERPETUITY AND CHANGE OF THE SABBATH.Sermon XV. THE PERPETUITY AND CHANGE OF THE SABBATH.Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · Part 1Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · GOD THE BEST PORTION OF THE CHRISTIAN.Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · APPLICATION.Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · THE SOLE CONSIDERATION, THAT GOD IS GOD, SUFFICIENT TO STILL ALL OBJECTIONS.Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · APPLICATION.Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · GREAT GUILT NO OBSTACLE TO THE PARDON OF THE RETURNING SINNER.Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · APPLICATION.Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · THE MOST HIGH A PRAYER-HEARING GOD.Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · APPLICATION.Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · THE NATURE AND END OF EXCOMMUNICATION.Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · APPLICATION.Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · WHEN THE WICKED SHALL HAVE FILLED UP THE MEASURE OF THEIR SIN, WRATH WILL COME UPON THEM TO THE UTTERMOST.Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · APPLICATION.Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · WICKED MEN USEFUL IN THEIR DESTRUCTION ONLY.Seven Sermons. On Important Subjects · APPLICATION.MEN NATURALLY GOD'S ENEMIESSECTION I. In what respects, enemiesSECTION II. The degree of natural enmitySECTION III. Why enemies to GodSECTION IV. That natural men are unconscious of enmity, answeredSECTION V. That they show respect to God, answeredSECTION VI. Restraining grace a privilegeSECTION VII. Why unwilling to come to ChristSECTION VIII. Mercy, justly withheldSECTION IX. Practical improvementIntroductionSECTION I. Wonderful things doneSECTION II. God greatly glorifiedSECTION III. The good attained wonderfully variousSECTION IV. Angels benefit by salvationSECTION V. Wonderful glory redounds to GodSECTION VI. The manner of obtaining salvationSECTION VII. The overthrow of SatanSECTION VIII. Superiority of this wisdom to that of angelsSECTION IX. The subject improvedSECTION X. The misery of unbelieversSECTION XI. Exhortation to come to ChristIntroductionSECTION I. What is intended by divinity, as the object of this knowledgeSECTION II. What kind of knowledge in divinity is intended in the doctrineSECTION III. The usefulness and necessity of the knowledge of divine truthSECTION IV. Why all Christians should make a business of endeavouring to grow in the knowledge of divinitySECTION V. An exhortation that all may diligently endeavour to gain Christian knowledgeSECTION VI. Directions for the acquisition of Christian knowledgeCHRISTIAN CHARITYSECTION I. The words explainedSECTION II. Of the obligations of Christians to perform the duty of charity to the poorSECTION III. An exhortation to the duty of charity to the poorSECTION IV. Objections which are sometimes made to the exercises of charity answeredIntroductionSECTION I. The necessity of self-examinationSECTION II. Why many living in sin, know it notSECTION III. Directions for self-examinationSECTION IV. Examination about the Lord's day, &cSECTION V. Examination about secret sins, &c.SECTION VI. Our temper of mind, &c. towards our neighbourSECTION VII. Our charity, &c. towards our neighbourSECTION VIII. Self-examination respecting our familiesSECTION IX. Awakening considerationsA WARNING TO PROFESSORSIntroductionSECTION I. The ordinances of God are holySECTION II. Ordinances, by whom profanedSECTION III. A call to self-examinationSECTION IV. Address to profaners of ordinancesIntroductionSECTION I. God is the supreme judgeSECTION II. Publicity of final judgmentSECTION III. Jesus will be the judgeSECTION IV. Christ's coming, the resurrection, &c.SECTION V. All will be done in righteousnessSECTION VI. Immediate consequences of judgmentSECTION VII. The uses of this doctrineSECTION I. Who are sinners in ZionSECTION II. How fearfulness will surprise themSECTION V. An earnest exhortation to sinnersIntroductionSECTION I. Saints not grieved, &c.SECTION II. Why the sufferings of the wicked, &c.SECTION III. An objection answeredSECTION IV. The ungodly warnedCHRIST EXALTEDSECTION I. How evil of all kinds has prevailed and highly exalted itself in the worldSECTION II. How Jesus Christ, in the work of redemption, appears gloriously above all these evilsSECTION III. The subject improved and appliedSELF-FLATTERIESSECTION I. Sinners flatter themselves with the hope of impunitySECTION II. Some of the various ways wherein sinners flatter themselves in their own eyesSECTION III. The subject applied: OR THE SIN OF THEFT AND INJUSTICESECTION I. The dishonesty of withholding what is our neighbour'sSECTION II. The dishonesty of unjustly taking a neighbour's propertySECTION III. Dishonest excusesSECTION IV. The subject applied—The dishonest warnedSECTION V. An exhortation to honestyTEMPTATION AND DELIVERANCESECTION I. Why we should avoid what tends to sinSECTION II. What things lead and expose to sinSECTION III. A serious warning to all, and especially young peopleTHE PRECIOUSNESS OF TIMESECTION I. Why time is preciousSECTION II. Reflections on time pastSECTION III. Who are chiefly deserving of reproof from the subject of the preciousness of timeSECTION IV. An exhortation to improve timeSECTION V. Advice respecting the improvement of timePROCRASTINATIONSECTION I. Needful precautionsSECTION II. The precept explainedSECTION III. When men act as though they depend on another daySECTION IV. Why we ought not to boast of to-morrowSECTION V. Serious inquiriesSECTION VI. How to spend every dayTHE CHRISTIAN PILGRIMSECTION I. That this life ought to be so spent by usSECTION II. Why the Christian's life is a journey, or pilgrimageSECTION III. Instruction afforded by the consideration, that life is a journey, or pilgrimageSECTION IV. An exhortation, so to spend the present life, that it may only be a journey towards heavenMAN'S NATURAL BLINDNESS IN RELIGIONSECTION I. Introductory observationsSECTION II. From men's open professionSECTION III. From men's experience and practiceSECTION IV. Practical inferences and applicationsSECTION V. Address to sinnersMr. Cooper's PrefaceIntroductionSECTION I Negative signs of a spiritual workSECTION II. Positive signsSECTION III. Practical inferences and applicationAdvertisementPreface by a former English editorPreface by the American editorsPART I. The Text opened, and in Account of the Affair proposedPART II. Motives to Compliance with what is proposed · Part 1PART II. Motives to Compliance with what is proposed · SECT. I.PART II. Motives to Compliance with what is proposed · SECT. II.PART II. Motives to Compliance with what is proposed · SECT. III.PART II. Motives to Compliance with what is proposed · SECT. IV.PART II. Motives to Compliance with what is proposed · SECT. V.PART II. Motives to Compliance with what is proposed · SECT. VI.PART II. Motives to Compliance with what is proposed · SECT. VII.PART III. Objections answered · Part 1PART III. Objections answered · SECT. I.PART III. Objections answered · SECT. II.PART III. Objections answered · sect. iiiPART III. Objections answered · SECT. IV.PART III. Objections answered · SECT. V.PrefacePART I. From his birth to the time when he began to study for the ministryPART II. From his beginning to study, till his being examined and licensed to preachPART III. From his being licensed to preach, till he was appointed Missionary to the IndiansPART IV. From his appointment, to his entrance on the mission at KaunaumeekPART V. From his beginning to instruct the Indians, to his ordination · Part 1PART V. From his beginning to instruct the Indians, to his ordination · Part 2PART V. From his beginning to instruct the Indians, to his ordination · Part 3PART V. From his beginning to instruct the Indians, to his ordination · Part 4PART VI. From his ordination, till he began to preach to the Indians at Crossweeksung, where he had his most remarkable success · Part 1PART VI. From his ordination, till he began to preach to the Indians at Crossweeksung, where he had his most remarkable success · Part 2PART VI. From his ordination, till he began to preach to the Indians at Crossweeksung, where he had his most remarkable success · Part 3PART VI. From his ordination, till he began to preach to the Indians at Crossweeksung, where he had his most remarkable success · Part 4PART VII. Return from his last journey to Susquehannah in a consumption, whereof he died · Part 1PART VII. Return from his last journey to Susquehannah in a consumption, whereof he died · Part 2PART VII. Return from his last journey to Susquehannah in a consumption, whereof he died · Part 3PART VII. Return from his last journey to Susquehannah in a consumption, whereof he died · Part 4PART VII. Return from his last journey to Susquehannah in a consumption, whereof he died · Part 5PART VIII. From his return to Susquehannah, till his death · Part 1PART VIII. From his return to Susquehannah, till his death · Part 2PART VIII. From his return to Susquehannah, till his death · Part 3PART VIII. From his return to Susquehannah, till his death · Part 4AdvertisementPrefacePART I. The Rise and Progress of a remarkable Work of grace, &c. From A.D. 1745, June 19 to Nov. 4, at Crossweeksung and Forks of Delaware · Part 1PART I. The Rise and Progress of a remarkable Work of grace, &c. From A.D. 1745, June 19 to Nov. 4, at Crossweeksung and Forks of Delaware · Part 2PART I. The Rise and Progress of a remarkable Work of grace, &c. From A.D. 1745, June 19 to Nov. 4, at Crossweeksung and Forks of Delaware · Part 3PART I. The Rise and Progress of a remarkable Work of grace, &c. From A.D. 1745, June 19 to Nov. 4, at Crossweeksung and Forks of Delaware · Part 4PART II. From A. D. 1745, Nov. 24, to June 19, 1746, do. · Part 1PART II. From A. D. 1745, Nov. 24, to June 19, 1746, do. · Part 2PART II. From A. D. 1745, Nov. 24, to June 19, 1746, do. · Part 3PART II. From A. D. 1745, Nov. 24, to June 19, 1746, do. · Part 4PART II. From A. D. 1745, Nov. 24, to June 19, 1746, do. · Part 5SECTION I. The doctrine preached to the IndiansSECTION II. Morality, sobriety, and external duties promoted by preaching Christ crucifiedSECTION III. Continuance, renewal, and quickness of the workSECTION IV. But little appearance of false religionSECOND APPENDIXSECTION I. His method of learning the Indian languageSECTION II. His method of instructing the IndiansSECTION III. Difficulties attending the Christianizing of the IndiansSECTION IV. Second difficulty, To convey divine truths to their understanding, and to gain their assentSECTION V. Third difficulty.SECTION VI. Fourth difficulty, The designs of evil-minded persons to hinder the workSECTION VII. Attestations of divine grace displayed among the IndiansTHIRD APPENDIX--Containing his brief account of the endeavours used by the Missionaries of the Society in Scotland, for propagating Christian Knowledge, to introduce the Gospel among the Indians, on the borders of New York. &c. in a Letter to the Rev. Mr. Ebenezer PembertonMR. BRAINERD'S REMAINSAdvertisementI. Letter to his brother John, then a studentII. Letter to his brother John, then a studentIII. Letter to his brother IsraelIV. Letter to a special friendV. Letter to a minister of the GospelVI. Letter to his brother JohnVII. Letter to IsraelVIII. Letter to IsraelIX. Letter to a young gentleman, a candidate for the ministryX. Letter to his brother John, at BethelI. Scheme of a Dialogue in the Godly SoulII. Thoughts of a Soul under ConvictionIII. Some signs of GodlinessA Sermon preached in Newark at the Ordination of Mr. David Brainerd, by E. Pemberton, A. M.Reflections and Observations · REV. DAVID BRAINERD.Reflections and Observations · SECT. I.Reflections and Observations · SECT. II.Reflections and Observations · SECT. III.Reflections and Observations · SECT. IV.Reflections and Observations · SECT. V.Reflections and Observations · REFLECT. II.Reflections and Observations · REFLECT. III.Reflections and Observations · REFLECT. IV.Reflections and Observations · REFLECT. V.Reflections and Observations · REFLECT. VI.Reflections and Observations · REFLECT. VII.Reflections and Observations · REFLECT. VIII.PrefaceAdvertisementPART I. Observations on the Facts & Evidences of Christianity, & the Objections of Infidels · CHAP. I.PART I. Observations on the Facts & Evidences of Christianity, & the Objections of Infidels · CHAP. II.PART I. Observations on the Facts & Evidences of Christianity, & the Objections of Infidels · CHAP. III.PART I. Observations on the Facts & Evidences of Christianity, & the Objections of Infidels · CHAP. IV.PART I. Observations on the Facts & Evidences of Christianity, & the Objections of Infidels · CHAP. V.PART I. Observations on the Facts & Evidences of Christianity, & the Objections of Infidels · CHAP. VI.PART I. Observations on the Facts & Evidences of Christianity, & the Objections of Infidels · CHAP. VII.PART I. Observations on the Facts & Evidences of Christianity, & the Objections of Infidels · CHAP. VIII.PART I. Observations on the Facts & Evidences of Christianity, & the Objections of Infidels · CHAP. IX.PART I. Observations on the Facts & Evidences of Christianity, & the Objections of Infidels · CHAP. X.PART II. Observations concerning the Mysteries of Scripture · Part 1PART II. Observations concerning the Mysteries of Scripture · Part 2PART II. Observations concerning the Mysteries of Scripture · Part 3PART II. Observations concerning the Mysteries of Scripture · Part 4PART II. Observations concerning the Mysteries of Scripture · Part 5CHAPTER I. Of God's Moral GovernmentCHAPTER II. Of Endless Punishment · Part 1CHAPTER II. Of Endless Punishment · Part 2CHAPTER II. Of Endless Punishment · Part 3CHAPTER III. Concerning the Divine Decrees · Part 1CHAPTER III. Concerning the Divine Decrees · Part 2CHAPTER III. Concerning the Divine Decrees · Part 3CHAPTER III. Concerning the Divine Decrees · Part 4CHAPTER III. Concerning the Divine Decrees · Part 5CHAPTER IV. Concerning Efficacious Grace · Part 1CHAPTER IV. Concerning Efficacious Grace · Part 2CHAPTER IV. Concerning Efficacious Grace · Part 3CHAPTER IV. Concerning Efficacious Grace · Part 4CHAPTER IV. Concerning Efficacious Grace · Part 5CHAPTER IV. Concerning Efficacious Grace · Part 6CHAPTER IV. Concerning Efficacious Grace · Part 7CHAPTER V. Of Satisfaction for Sin · Part 1CHAPTER V. Of Satisfaction for Sin · Part 2CHAPTER V. Of Satisfaction for Sin · Part 3CHAPTER V. Of Satisfaction for Sin · Part 4CHAPTER VI. Concerning Faith · Part 1CHAPTER VI. Concerning Faith · Part 2CHAPTER VI. Concerning Faith · Part 3CHAPTER VI. Concerning Faith · Part 4CHAPTER VI. Concerning Faith · Part 5CHAPTER VI. Concerning Faith · Part 6CHAPTER VII. Of the Perseverance of SaintsI. AngelsII. Fall of the AngelsIII. The DevilIV. Confirmation of the AngelsV. Heaven · Part 1V. Heaven · Part 2V. Heaven · Part 3V. Heaven · Part 4V. Heaven · Part 5V. Heaven · Part 6V. Heaven · Part 7V. Heaven · Part 8XII. TYPES OF THE MESSIAH · Part 1XII. TYPES OF THE MESSIAH · Part 2XII. TYPES OF THE MESSIAH · Part 3XII. TYPES OF THE MESSIAH · Part 4XII. TYPES OF THE MESSIAH · Part 5XII. TYPES OF THE MESSIAH · Part 6XII. TYPES OF THE MESSIAH · Part 7XII. TYPES OF THE MESSIAH · Part 8XII. TYPES OF THE MESSIAH · Part 9Pentateuch · Part 1Pentateuch · Part 2Pentateuch · Part 3Pentateuch · Part 4Genesis · Part 1Genesis · Part 2Genesis · Part 3Genesis · Part 4Genesis · Part 5Genesis · Part 6Genesis · Part 7Genesis · Part 8Exodus · Part 1Exodus · Part 2Exodus · Part 3Exodus · Part 4Leviticus to DeuteronomyJoshuaJudges to 2 Chronicles · Part 1Judges to 2 Chronicles · Part 2Judges to 2 Chronicles · Part 3Judges to 2 Chronicles · Part 4Nehemiah-EstherJobPsalmsProverbs to CanticlesIsaiahjeremiahEzekielDanielMinor ProphetsMatthew · Part 1Matthew · Part 2Matthew · Part 3Matthew · Part 4MarkLukeJohnActsRomans1-2 CorinthiansGalatians to 2 TimothyHebrews to Revelation · Part 1Hebrews to Revelation · Part 2Hebrews to Revelation · Part 3SERMON I. Natural Men in a dreadful Condition · Part 1SERMON I. Natural Men in a dreadful Condition · Part 2SERMON I. Natural Men in a dreadful Condition · Part 3SERMON I. Natural Men in a dreadful Condition · Part 4SERMON II. God makes Men sensible of their Misery before he reveals his Mercy and Love · Part 1SERMON II. God makes Men sensible of their Misery before he reveals his Mercy and Love · Part 2SERMON II. God makes Men sensible of their Misery before he reveals his Mercy and Love · Part 3SERMON III. Hope and Comfort usually follow genuine Humiliation and Repentance · Part 1SERMON III. Hope and Comfort usually follow genuine Humiliation and Repentance · Part 2SERMON III. Hope and Comfort usually follow genuine Humiliation and Repentance · Part 3SERMON III. Hope and Comfort usually follow genuine Humiliation and Repentance · Part 4SERMON IV. God's Sovereignty in the Salvation of MenSERMON V. The Character of Paul an Example t · Part 1SERMON V. The Character of Paul an Example t · Part 2SERMON V. The Character of Paul an Example t · Part 3SERMON V. The Character of Paul an Example t · Part 4SERMON VI. Christ's Agony · Part 1SERMON VI. Christ's Agony · APPLICATION.SERMON VI. Christ's Agony · APPLICATION.SERMON VII. The Portion of the Wicked · Part 1SERMON VII. The Portion of the Wicked · Part 2SERMON VII. The Portion of the Wicked · Part 3SERMON VII. The Portion of the Wicked · Part 4SERMON VIII. The Portion of the Righteous · Part 1SERMON VIII. The Portion of the Righteous · Part 2SERMON VIII. The Portion of the Righteous · Part 3SERMON VIII. The Portion of the Righteous · Part 4SERMON VIII. The Portion of the Righteous · Part 5SERMON VIII. The Portion of the Righteous · Part 6SERMON IX. The Pure in Heart blessed · Part 1SERMON IX. The Pure in Heart blessed · Part 2SERMON IX. The Pure in Heart blessed · Part 3SERMON X. Praise, one of the chief Employments of HeavenSERMON XI. Wicked Men inconsistent with themselves · Part 1SERMON XI. Wicked Men inconsistent with themselves · Part 2SERMON XI. Wicked Men inconsistent with themselves · Part 3SERMON XI. Wicked Men inconsistent with themselves · Part 4SERMON XII. Safety, Fullness, and sweet Refreshment, to be found in Christ · Part 1SERMON XII. Safety, Fullness, and sweet Refreshment, to be found in Christ · Part 2SERMON XII. Safety, Fullness, and sweet Refreshment, to be found in Christ · Part 3SERMON XIII. Christians a chosen Generation, a royal Priesthood, a holy Nation, a peculiar People · Part 1SERMON XIII. Christians a chosen Generation, a royal Priesthood, a holy Nation, a peculiar People · Part 2SERMON XIII. Christians a chosen Generation, a royal Priesthood, a holy Nation, a peculiar People · Part 3SERMON XIII. Christians a chosen Generation, a royal Priesthood, a holy Nation, a peculiar People · Part 4SERMON XIV. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and for everSERMON XV. The true Excellency of a gospel ministerSERMON XVI. Christ the Example of ministersSERMON XVII. The Sorrows of the Bereaved spread before Jesus

Jonathan Edwards · 364 of 409

SERMON I. Natural Men in a dreadful Condition · Part 3

2. Another thing which shows the danger there is that they shall never be , is, that there are but few, comparatively, who are ever . But few of those, who have been natural persons in time past, have been . Most of them have died . So it has been in all ages, and hence we have reason to think that but few of them, who are now, will ever be ; that most of them will die , and will go to hell. Natural persons are ready to flatter themselves, that they shall be . They think there are signs of it. But a man would not run the venture of so much as a sixpence in such an uncertainty as they are, about their ever being , or not going to hell. This shows the doleful condition of natural men, as it is uncertain whether they shall ever be .

3. They who are in a natural condition, are in danger of going to hell every day. Those now present, who are in a natural condition, are in danger of dropping into hell before to-morrow morning. They have nothing to depend on, to keep them out of hell one day, or one night. We know not what a day may bring forth. God has not promised to spare them one day; and he is everyday angry with them. The black clouds, that are full of the thunder of God’s wrath, hang over their heads everyday, and they know not how soon the thunder will break forth upon their heads. Natural men are in Scripture compared to those that walk in slippery places. They know not when their feet will slip. They are continually in danger. Psalm lxxiii. 18. “Surely thou didst set them in slippery places; thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation as in a moment.” Natural men hang over the pit of hell, as it were, by a thread, that has a moth continually gnawing it. They know not when it will snap in twain, and let them drop. They are in the utmost uncertainty; they are not secure one moment. A natural man never goes to sleep, but that he is in danger of waking in hell. Experience abundantly teaches the matter to be so. It shows, by millions of instances, that man is not certain of life one day. And how common a thing is it for death to come suddenly and unexpectedly! And thousands, beyond all reasonable question, are going to hell every day, and death comes upon them unexpectedly. I Thess. v. 3. “When they shall say, peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” It is a dreadful condition that natural persons are in upon this account; and no wise person would be in their condition for a quarter of an hour for the whole world, because such is the danger that they will drop into hell before that quarter of an hour is expired.

Thus I have shown how dreadful the condition of natural men is, relatively considered. I shall mention two or three things more, which yet further make it appear how doleful their condition is.

1. The longer it continues, the worse it grows. This is an awful circumstance in the condition of a natural man. Any disease is looked upon as the more dreadful, for its growing and increasing nature. Thus a cancer and gangrene are regarded as dreadful calamities, because they continually grow and spread; and the faster they grow, the more dreadful are they accounted. It would be dreadful to be in a natural condition, if a person could continue as he is, and his condition grow no worse; if he could live in a natural condition, and never have it any more dreadful, than when he first begins to sin. But it is yet much more dreadful, when we consider that it every day becomes worse and none. The condition of natural men it worse to-day, than it was yesterday, and that on several accounts. The heart grows more and more polluted and hardened. The longer sin continues unmortified, the more is it strengthened and rooted. Their guilt also grows greater, and hell every day grows hotter; for they are every day adding sin to sin, and so their is increasing over their heads more and more. Every new sin adds to the guilt. Every sin deserves eternal death for its punishment. And therefore in every sin that a man commits, there is so much added to the punishment, to which he lies exposed. There is, as it were, another eternal death added to augment his damnation. And how much is added to the account in God’s book everyday; how many new sins are set down, that all may be answered for; each one of which sins must be punished, that by itself would be an eternal death! How fast do wicked men heap up guilt, and treasure up wrath, so long as they continue in a natural condition! How is God more and more provoked, his wrath more and more incensed; and how does hell-fire continually grow hotter and hotter! If a man has lived twenty years in a natural condition, the fire has been increased everyday since he has lived. It has been, as it were, blown up to a greater and greater degree of fierceness. Yea, how dreadfully does one day’s continuance in sin add to the heat of hell-fire!

2. All blessings are turned into curses to those who live and die in such a condition. Those things which are most pleasant and comfortable, and which men esteem the blessings of life, are but curses unto such; as their meat, and their drink, and their raiment. There is a curse goes with every mouthful of meat, and every drop of drink, to such a person. There is a curse with his raiment which he puts on; it all contributes to his misery. Though it may please him, yet it does him no good, but he is the more miserable for it. If he has any enjoyment which is sweet and pleasant to him, the pleasure is a curse to him; he is really the more miserable for it. It is an occasion of death to him. His possessions, which he values himself upon, and sets his heart upon, are turned into a curse to him. His house has the curse of God upon it, and his table is a snare and a trap to him. Psalm lxix. 22. His bed has God’s curse upon it. When he lies down to sleep, a curse attends his rest; and when he goes forth to labour, he is followed with a curse on that. The curse of God is upon his fields, on his corn, and herds, and all he has. If he has friends and relations, who are pleasant and dear to him, they are no blessings to him. He receives no comfort by them, but they prove a curse to him. I say it is thus with those who live and die in a natural condition. Deuteronomy xxviii. 16, &c. “Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. Cursed shall be thy basket, and thy store. Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, and the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.” Man’s faculties of reason and understanding, and all his natural powers, are turned into a curse. Yea, spiritual mercies and privileges shall also be turned into a curse to those who live and die in a natural condition. A curse goes with the worship of God, and with and , with instruction, and counsels, and warnings, and with the most precious advantages. They are all turned into a curse. They are a savour of death unto death. They do but harden the heart, and aggravate the guilt and misery, and inflame the divine wrath. Isaiah vi. 9, 10. “Go, make the heart of this people fat.” 2 Cor. ii. 16. “To the one we are the savour of death unto death.” It will only be an occasion of their misery, that God ever sent Christ into the world to save sinners. That which is in itself so glorious a manifestation of God’s mercy, so unspeakable a gift, that which is an infinite blessing to others who receive Christ, will be a curse unto them. 1 Peter ii. 8. “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence.” The blood of Christ, which is the price of eternal life and glory to some, is an occasion of sinking them vastly the lower into eternal burnings. And that is the case of such persons; the more precious any mercies are in themselves, the more of a curse are they to them. The better the things are in themselves, the more will they contribute to their misery. And spiritual privileges, which are in themselves greater mercies than any outward enjoyments, will above all other things prove a curse to them. Nothing will enhance their condemnation so much as these. On account of these, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for them. Yea, so doleful is the condition of natural men, that if they live and die in that condition, not only the enjoyments of life, but life itself, will be a curse to them. The longer they live, the more miserable will they be; the sooner they die, the better. If they live long in such a condition, and die in it at last, it would have been better for them if they had died before. It would have been far better for them to have spent the time in hell, than on earth; yea, better for them to have spent ten thousand years in hell, instead of one on earth. When they look back, and consider what enjoyments they have had, they will wish they had never had them. Though when on earth they set their hearts on their earthly enjoyments, they will hereafter wish they had been without them; for they will see they have only fitted them for the slaughter. They will wish they never had had their houses and lands, their garments, their earthly friends, their earthly possessions. And so they will wish that they had never enjoyed the light of the gospel, that they had been born among the in some of the most dark and barbarous places of the earth. They will wish that Christ had never come into the world to die for sinners, so as to give men any opportunity to be saved. They will wish that God had cast off fallen man, as he did the fallen angels, and had never made him the offer of a Saviour. They will wish that they had died sooner, and had not had so much opportunity to increase their guilt and their misery. They will wish they had died in their childhood, and been sent to hell then. They will curse the day that ever they were born, and wish they had been made vipers and scorpions, or anything, rather than rational creatures.

3. They have no security from the most dismal horrors of mind in this life. They have no security, but their stupidity. A natural man can have no comfort or peace in a natural condition, but that of which blindness and senselessness are the foundation. And from what has been said, that is the very evil. A natural man can have no comfort in any thing in this world any further, than thought and consideration of mind are kept down in him; as you make a condemned malefactor senseless of his misery by putting him to sleep with opium, or make him merry just before his execution by giving him something to deprive him of the use of reason, so that he shall not be sensible of his own circumstances. Otherwise, there is no peace or comfort, which a natural man can have in a natural condition. Isa. xlviii. 22. “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Job xv. 20. “The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days. A dreadful sound is in his ears.” The doleful state of a natural man appears especially from the horror and amazement to which he is liable on a death-bed. To have the heavy hand of God upon one in some dangerous sickness, which is wasting and consuming the body, and likely to destroy it, and to have a prospect of approaching death, and of soon going into eternity, there to be in such a condition as this: to what amazing apprehensions must the sinner be liable! How dismal must his state be, when the disease prevails, so that there is no hope that he shall recover, when the physician begins to give him over, and friends to despair of his life; when death seems to hasten on, and he is at the same time perfectly blind to any spiritual object, altogether ignorant of God, of Christ, and of the way of salvation, having never exercised one act of love to God in his life, or done one thing for his glory; having then every lust and corruption in its full strength; having then such enmity in the heart against God, as to be ready to dethrone him, if that were possible; having no right in God, or interest in Christ; having the terrible wrath of God on him; being yet the child of the devil. entirely in his possession and under his power; with no hope to maintain him, and with the full view of never-ending misery just at the door. What a dismal case must a natural man be in under such circumstances! How will his heart die within him at the news of his approaching death, when he finds that he must go, that he cannot deliver himself, that death stands with his grim countenance looking him in the face, and is just about to seize him, and carry him out of the world, and that he at the same time has nothing to depend on! How often are there instances of dismal distress of persons on a death-bed! No one knows the fears, the exercise and torment in their hearts, but they who feel them. They are such that all the pleasures of sin, which they have had in their whole lives, will not pay them for. As you may sometimes see godly men go triumphing out of the world full of joy, with the foretastes of heaven, so sometimes wicked men, when dying, anticipate something of hell before they arrive there. The flames of hell do, as it were, come up and reach them in some measure, before they are dead. God then withdraws, and ceases to protect them; the tormentor begins his work, while they are alive. Thus it was with Saul and Judas; and there have been many other similar instances since; and none, who are in a natural condition, have any security from it. The state of a natural man is doleful on this account, though this is but a prelude and foretaste of the everlasting misery which follows.

Thus I have, in some measure, shown in what a doleful condition those are who are in a natural condition. Still I have said but little. It is beyond what we can speak or think. They who say most of the dreadfulness of a natural condition, say but little. And they who are most sensible, are sensible of but a small part of the misery of a natural state.

APPLICATION.

I. We may derive from this doctrine much useful and practical instruction.

1. Hence we may learn the stupidity and sottishness of many natural persons. If we consider those things which we have now heard concerning their dreadful condition, and then see how the greater part of natural men behave themselves, we may well be astonished that there should be such stupidity in the heart of man. If we rightly considered it, we should be ready to cry out with astonishment. Their sottishness appears in the following things.

1. That though they are in such a dreadful condition, they can go about easy and quiet, and in little or no concern respecting it. What might rationally be expected of such persons? If it were a new thing to us, and we had heard there was a person in a particular town or country, of such a name, who was in this awful condition; who had no interest in his Creator, who had the wrath of Almighty God on him, that wrath which is great and terrible enough to make him miserable with devils in hell to all eternity; that he was a captive in the hands of the devil, was made his slave, and was under his power and dominion; that his soul was a habitation of devils; that he was condemned to be cast into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, to drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation, and to suffer in an inexpressible, inconceivable extremity in both body and soul forever and ever, without hope or end; to be liable to sink in this misery every day, and the longer he continued out of it, the worse his condition, the more dreadful the wrath, and the hotter the flames of hell; I say, supposing we had just now for the first time heard there was a person in this awful condition, how should we expect to see him behave himself? If he was in the exercise of his reason, should we not expect to see him trembling and quaking on account of his misery, with all the manifestations of continual terror and amazement, regardless of all things else, spending his days and nights in tears, and groans, and lamentations, crying for pity and help, crying with an exceedingly loud and bitter cry, crying to everyone to pity him, and pray for him? Yea, how many are there in this dreadful condition, are easy and quiet, and appear to have nothing to trouble them! They go about the world without anxiety or alarm, as if they had no more reason to be disquieted than if they had already secured their salvation. Though they are told how dreadful their condition is hundreds of times, their tranquillity is wholly undisturbed. They can sit and hear of its certainty and its nearness, of its dreadful nature, and its inconceivable degree; and then can go away with as quiet and easy hearts as they had before. There is no moving them by telling them of such things. They can sleep as quietly, and go about their business with as perfect unconcern. They can eat and drink and enjoy the pleasures of social life with no apparent load on their minds; and without being sensible of anything in their circumstances, which should hinder them from such enjoyment. And not only so, but,

2. They can go about with a merry heart. There are many of them, who not only seem to be quiet in their minds, but they are very cheerful, as if all were well with them, and everything smiled upon them; as if they were in happy circumstances, and had every thing as they desired; and are even disposed to be merry and sportive about their own condition and the dreadful realities of the future world. For their part they choose to take their ease and pleasure, and not disturb or molest themselves with such dark and melancholy thoughts, like the persons mentioned by Isaiah. Isaiah lvi. 12. “Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.”

3. They are so senseless, that they do not think it worth their while to make any considerable effort to escape from this dreadful condition. They will not take half so much pains for it, as for a little gain; and they do not think it worth the while even to ask God to deliver them from it. They think it too much labour to withdraw once or twice each day to ask God to be merciful to them, that they might not continue in their natural state. And they foolishly neglect the precious opportunities, which they enjoy to get into a better state. God gives them great advantages for it, and they are called upon, and warned, and exhorted to improve them. They are told what good opportunities they have, and the danger of letting them slip, but all is to no purpose. Thus persons will let slip the time of youth, which is a precious season to escape from their natural condition. So they will let slip a time of the moving of God’s Spirit in the place where they live. They act as if they had a wish to continue in the same state. They will put themselves so little out of the way to escape from it; they are so backward to deny themselves a little, or to make a little effort; they seem to grudge it, and think it needless. If they have a great advantage put into their hands, it is to no purpose. They had as good be without it, as with it; for they have no heart to improve it. Prov. xvii. 16. “ is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?”

4. Instead of using means to get into a better state, they are wilfully doing those things which make it worse and worse. Instead of striving for deliverance, they are striving against it. They are provoking God more, and increasing their guilt, and hardening their hearts, and setting themselves farther and farther from ; and this, too, when they are told, that the things, which they practise, have this tendency. They act as if they wished to be sure never to be . Thus it is with innumerable multitudes. So exceedingly senseless and stupid are many natural persons.

2. Hence we need not wonder, that we are directed in Scripture to strive and to be very earnest to be delivered from our natural condition. This is the direction which God gives us from time to time. Luke xiii. 24. “Strive to enter in at the strait gate.” Matt. xi. 12. “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence.” Eccl. ix. 10. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” 2 Peter i. 10. “Give diligence to make your calling and sure.” Heb. vi. 18. “Fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.” The direction which was given to Lot, relating to his flight out of Sodom, was designed for the direction of all who are in a natural condition. Gen. xix. 17. “Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” This doctrine shows us the reason, why persons should be directed in such a way as this to seek their salvation. That it is such a dreadful condition is reason enough why persons should thus vehemently strive, and be violent to get into a better state, and why they should haste for their lives, and flee from the wrath to come. If the case of natural men be as we have heard, no wonder that they should have such advice given them, and that God expects that the pains which they take, and the endeavours they use for it, should be in some measure answerable to its importance. No wonder that the jailer, when made sensible of his condition, should conduct himself as we have the account in the text. No wonder that he should be in such haste as not only to run in, but to spring or leap in, to the place where Paul and Silas were, and fell down before them, and ask in such an earnest manner, “What must I do to be saved?” If he had not been indeed in a dreadful state, he would have acted like one distracted. But considering that he was in a natural condition, which is so dreadful, it was not the least wonder.

3. Hence we may learn how dismal are the effects which the fall of man has brought upon the world. It has brought all mankind into this dreadful condition of which we have heard. The far greater part of those who live in this world, are in this state, and the greater part of those who die in the world, die in this state. What a miserable world, therefore, is the world in which we live! This world lies under a curse. God has denounced woe against it; and what an immeasurable amount of woe is brought upon it! What woeful devastation has sin made in the world!

II. What has been said of the dreadfulness of their condition may well awaken and terrify the impenitent. How many things are there in your circumstances, which are awful and terrible to think of. There is no one of those things which have been mentioned, but that the thought of it may well be frightful to you. It may well be a dreadful thought that you have no goodness in you, nor have ever done anything which has the least goodness in it; that you never exercised one act of love, or true thankfulness or obedience, to God in your life; nor ever did the least thing out of true respect to God. The consideration of the dreadful and wickedness of your heart, may well be frightful to you; to think what a sink of corruption it is, how full of all manner of wickedness, how full of enmity against God; to think that there are the same corruptions in your heart, as in the heart of the devil, and that there are the seeds of the same enmity against God, and that you are in the very image of the devil. If you look into your own heart, and strictly examine what it would entice you to do, if all restraints of fear and self-interest were taken off, it might well affright you. How awful may the thought well be to you, when you consider that you are a creature, separated from your Creator! that there is an alienation between you and that great Being, in whom you live and move, and have your being; that you are a poor desolate creature, that have no God to protect you, and guide you, and provide for you in the world; and that you are secure from no manner of mischief, into which human nature is capable of falling, either in soul or body! How terrifying should it be to you, to think how good, how mighty and terrible that God is, under whose wrath you lie down and rise up, and eat and drink, and engage in the daily business of life! How frightful should it be to you, when you consider in what relation you stand to the devil; that you are his child, and that he owns you; that you are his servant, his possession, and that your heart is his dwelling-place; that you are without Christ, and so without hope, and have no good thing in another world, in which you have any inheritance! And how amazing may it well be to you, when you consider how great that future misery is to which you are exposed and condemned, wherein God shows his wrath, and makes his power known in the destruction of the ungodly, in which they are vessels of wrath filled to the brim; and that you are in danger of being plunged in a bottomless gulf or deluge of wrath, where mighty waves and billows of wrath shall pass over you; and when you consider the torment of your body in that great furnace of fire, where every part, every organ, every vein, and every limb shall be filled full of fire, and yet full of quick sense, and that this torment shall remain to an endless duration, a duration which shall always be beginning, but never ending! And how well may it affright you, and strike a terror upon you, when you consider, that if you die in your present condition, it is as impossible that you should escape this misery, as that God should cease to be just and true; and that the greater part of those who are in your condition will suffer this misery, and that you have no security that you shall be kept from it one day, or one hour! How terrifying may it well be to you, when you consider how much more dreadful your ease continually grows! How frightful may it be to you every night, when you sit down, and consider how much greater your guilt is, and how much deeper your condemnation is, than it was in the morning! How awful and doleful may it be to you to consider, that if you live and die in your present state, everything is cursed to you; even your greatest mercies and best enjoyments, your food, your raiment, your nearest friends, and your earthly possessions: and not only so, but the light of the gospel, and the , and life itself will be cursed to you! All will be but an occasion of your greater misery. Such persons shall wish they had been born and brought up among the . They shall wish that Christ had never come into the world; they shall wish they had never been born. How awful may it be to you when you think that death will most certainly come upon you, and you know not how soon; and what dismal circumstances you would be in, if you were in your present condition on a death-bed! How many things are there in your case which are of a terrifying, awful nature! How can you live in such circumstances, without living in continual terror? Here consider further the following things: