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 · 405 of 409

SERMON XIII. Christians a chosen Generation, a royal Priesthood, a holy Nation, a peculiar People · Part 4

So the are a nation that God has set apart for a sacred use. He hath set them apart to serve and glorify him, and to show forth his praise; to be vessels for their Master’s use, to see the manifestations of God’s glory, and eternally to ascribe the glory due to his name.

Secondly. They are holy by inherent .

1. By of heart.

2. By of life.

IV. True Christians are God’s peculiar people.

1. True Christians are God’s peculiar people with respect to the value which he sets upon them. He values one true Christian more than all the wicked in the world. God puts^ a high value upon his ; they are his jewels. God’s high value of them appears in all the ways wherein persons are wont to show the great regard which they have for any possession. God keeps them as the apple of his eye, he will by no means lose one of his , not one of all the number shall fail, he will suffer no one to do them harm, his almighty power is thoroughly engaged for them to defend them.

The life, the happiness, and the welfare of the are precious in God’s sight. He shows the higher value that he sets upon the godly than others, by giving the wicked for them, making them subservient to them, and destroying them when they stand in the way of the welfare of the godly. Prov. xxi. 18. “The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the for the upright.”

Whenever the life or welfare of the wicked stands in the way of the welfare of the righteous, God is wont to procure the welfare of his people, though it be at the expense of the lives and welfare of never so many. Prov. xi. 8. “The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.” Thus God manifested how much he valued the patriarchs. Though there were but very few of them, yet even kings were rebuked for their sakes. Ps. cv. 12, 13, 14, 15. “When they were but a few men in number: yea, very few, and strangers in it. When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people. He suffered no man to do them wrong; yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” So he showed how he valued the children of Israel, in that he gave nations for them. Isa. xliii. 3, 4. “For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour; I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.”

When the Egyptians stood in the way of the welfare of the church, God brought plagues upon them one after another, wherein he sorely distressed them. When their lives stood in the way, God destroyed all the first-born of Egypt; and when Pharaoh and his host sought their destruction, he drowned them in the Red sea, and when the nations of Canaan stood in their way, God destroyed them; he destroyed many of them miraculously, by sending hail-stones from heaven upon them. God will sooner at one blow destroy’ all the wicked of the world than that one of his should be lost. There are many great men of the world, kings and princes, men of great power and policy, men of noble blood and honourable descent, men of great wealth, men of vast learning and knowledge in the world, that are honoured, and make a great figure, and great account is made of them in the world, who are wicked men and reprobates, and they all are not of so great value in God’s sight as one true Christian, however humble his birth and low his standing; however poor, or ignorant, or unknown.

God has shown how highly he values his by several remarkable . He has often changed and intercepted the course of nature for their sakes. Nothing except God himself is more constant and unchangeable than the course and laws of nature; but yet so much doth God value his , that he did not think the procuring of their welfare too slight an occasion for stopping the sun in his course.

But above all hath God shown how great a value he sets upon his , by the great price which he has paid for them, the blood of his own Son. God values every so highly that he bought him with the blood of his own dear Son. There is no price of gold or silver that can be compared with the price of the blood of Christ.

2. They are his peculiar people with respect to the mercy that he bestows upon them. God bestows many mercies upon ungodly men; he is kind to the evil and the good, to the just and the unjust. He is good to wicked men in preserving their lives, in providing for their subsistence, and in giving them many comforts. Wicked men receive a great deal of goodness from God which they have cause to admire, and be thankful for every day, and but few live any considerable time who are not the subjects of special influences of God’s goodness to them in deliverance from trouble and danger. He heaps temporal good things upon them, he gives them wealth, and ease, and honour, and great prosperity. He distributes the world among them, and they show their great ingratitude in that, notwithstanding all God’s bounty to them, they will not learn . Isa. xxvi. 10. “Let favour be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn : in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord.” Thus Samuel reproves Saul for his great ingratitude, that he took no more notice of the great kindness of God to him. 1 Sam. xv. 17. “And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast not thou made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?” So there are many other wicked men that are advanced to the state of princes and nobles.

But God bestows more goodness upon one godly man than upon all the ungodly in the world. Put all their preservations, all their deliverances, all their wealth, all their comforts that have been heaped upon them by together, those things are but trifles that God bestows on ungodly men; but they are peculiar blessings which he bestows on the righteous, they are precious things that God has in reserve for his own favourites, in comparison of which all earthly treasure is but dirt and dross. As for the , Christ has died for them, they have all their sins pardoned, they are delivered from a hell of eternal misery, they have a title to eternal life bestowed upon them, they have God’s own image conferred on them, they are received into favour, and will enjoy God’s everlasting love.

3. They are God’s peculiar people with respect to the interest which he has in them. God has a peculiar interest in godly men; they are his peculiar property, they are his as they are by him, and as they have given themselves to him. God has an interest in godly men’s hearts, they have a true love and respect to him; they have true honour to him. God has a greater interest in their hearts than any thing else, greater than the dearest friend on earth, greater than the world or any earthly enjoyment. They prefer God before all other things, they preserve the throne of their hearts for God, they are of a spirit to exalt him as the greatest and highest, to love him as the most excellent, to praise him as the most gracious and merciful.

God has no interest in the hearts of natural men. Many of them seem to show respect to him outwardly. The of old pretended to an extraordinary devotion, to a great love to God. And many hypocrites in these times come before God as his people come, they seem as though they delighted to draw near to God, and make a high profession of religion; but God has indeed no interest in their hearts. They give him the outward appearance, they give him the words of their lips, but their hearts are far from him. It is from respect to something else, and not to him; they have not the least love to God.

But God has an interest in the hearts of true Christians: however small and inconsiderable it is in comparison of what it ought to be, yet they are of a spirit to prefer God above all. He has an interest in them, and they offer up their bodies a living sacrifice to him; they serve and actively glorify him, with their bodies and with their spirits. God is glorified in wicked men, as they are occasions of the manifestations of his glory, or as he glorifies himself in them; but Christians devote themselves to serve and glorify God. Though it is but a small interest that God has in the hearts of Christians in this world in comparison of what ought to be, yet he hath a greater interest in one godly man than in all the ungodly and hypocrites that are in the world.

4. They are God’s peculiar people, with respect to the complacence which he hath in them. God takes delight in his . Psal. xi. 7. “For the righteous Lord loveth : his countenance doth behold the upright.” God doth as it were rejoice over a convert, he delights in beholding that beauty and those ornaments of mind which he hath given him; God takes delight in the graces of a godly man’s heart, and he delights in the good works and religion of the Christian. Psal. xxxvii. 23. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighted in his way.” God takes delight in the godly man’s prayers. . xv. 8. “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.” He takes more delight in the sincere humble devotion of one true , than in all the moral virtue and outward religion of all the natural men in the world. If the wicked that are rich should offer to God ten thousand sacrifices, or if they should devote ever so much of their substance to religious uses, if they should give all their goods to feed the poor; it would not be so acceptable to God, as one cup of cold water given by a with a spirit of true . Ungodly kings may do much in many respects for religion; they may build stately churches for the worship of God, they may encourage religion in their dominions by their power and influence. Cyrus, a prince, restored the people of God from captivity, and restored the state of the Jews. But God has a greater delight in the sincere worship and love of one poor, obscure Christian, than in all that is done throughout the globe by irreligious kings and princes.

REFLECTIONS.

Hence it may well be expected of such as profess hopes of their being true Christians, that they should live after a peculiar manner, and be devoted to God for his use. There should be a great difference between their way of living and that of other men. Godly men should not be hurried away by the general example. If any evil practice is become a common custom, it may well be expected of those who profess themselves godly, that they should stem the stream of common custom and example, though they are despised for it.

Men are ready often to plead for their neglect of such and such duties, and the commission of such evils, that it is a common custom. ” Who is there,” say they, “but what does so? I should be singular if I did otherwise.” But if evil things are common, God may well expect of them that their way should be singular and peculiar, for Christians are a peculiar people. There should be a difference, and a great difference, between them and the generality of the world; if their neighbours, and relations, and companions, fall in with the common custom, that is evil, yet they should be peculiar, and stand alone.

It may well be expected that they should go further than other men in doing their duty, and practising the Christian religion. For instance, it is a common thing for men when they are affronted, or injured by their neighbours, to entertain a spirit of revenge, to drink in a spirit of ill will against their neighbour, and to wish him hurt. But Christians should be peculiar; they should forgive those that injure them, and not entertain any spirit of ill will to them upon that account.

It is common for men when injured, to endeavour to retaliate upon those that injure them in some way or other, either by acting or talking against them; but those who call themselves godly, should choose no kind of revenge, Matt. v. 38, 39. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” The generality of men will love their friends, and hate their enemies; it is very rare that it is otherwise. Men pretend that they do not hate their enemies, but they really do in their hearts. But Christians should be peculiar in this matter, their way should be different from the way of the world; for they are a peculiar people, and they should love their enemies from their hearts, and do good to them that hate them. However rare it is that there is any such thing, yet such a rare thing very well becomes God’s peculiar people. Matt. v. 43, 44, 45. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shall love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you: that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

It is a rare thing for persons to accustom themselves to great self-denial. Many will indeed deny themselves something for the sake of their duty, but if it very much crosses their interest, there are few that will be stedfast in their duty. But it may well be expected, that you should greatly deny yourself for the sake of God and Christ, and so be peculiar in this matter.

Self-interest governs the generality of men; they will mind their own interest rather than any thing else. But it may well be expected of those who profess godliness, that they should show themselves peculiar in this matter, and that they should sacrifice their private, separate interest to the glory and honour of God, and to the public good. Most men will content themselves and quiet their consciences by avoiding the more gross acts of sin, by avoiding an outward gratification of-lusts; but it becomes Christians to distinguish themselves here, and avoid sinning so much as in their thoughts, not to indulge any lust so much as in their imagination.

It is a shame to professors of godliness that their light shines no brighter before men, that there is no more appearing in them of an amiable Christian spirit, that they do not seem to shine any brighter in their outward than many other men that do not make the profession that they do. Many such men seem to be as exact, and as careful to avoid sin, and to deny themselves, as they; yea, many, perhaps, that, for the outward practice of some particular virtues, shine brighter than they, are more liberal and kind, more courteous and obliging in their behaviour.

It is expected of those that are of this peculiar people that they should do more than others. Matt. v. 46, 47. “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the so?” let me then apply this subject immediately to those who are present.

1. Here is a powerful argument to persuade those of you. who are impenitent to become godly, that if you will forsake your sins, and with all your heart turn to God, you shall become of the number of God’s peculiar people. You shall have the same privileges with those that have been mentioned, you will immediately upon your become one of those that God sets such a high value upon. If you are assured of your , you may withal be assured that God, the supreme Lord of heaven and earth, sets a higher value on you than upon all the reprobates in the world, that God has set so high a value upon you that he has given the blood of his own Son for your ransom.

If you do savingly turn to God, you will receive from God mercies and blessings greater in value than all the wealth and outward prosperity of all the ungodly men in the world-. Put all the honour and all the wealth of the great men of the world together; put all that the kings of the earth possess, their treasures and revenues, their dominions and power, their stately seats and palaces, their costly robes and dainties, together, and they will not amount to so great things as God will bestow upon you.

If you will turn from your sins and come to Christ, the great God will accept of you, and delight in you: you then will have those spiritual ornaments that will be more amiable in the sight of God, than all the learning, and knowledge, and morality of all the ungodly men in the world.

If you continue in a natural condition, God will make no account of you; instead of being as his jewels, you will be esteemed as vile and refuse, and fit for nothing but to be trampled under-foot; instead of being told, you will be esteemed as dross, Jer. vi. 30. “Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them.” Hereafter you will be thrown away as being good for nothing, you will be esteemed nothing worth, as is represented in that parable, Matt. xiii. 47, &c. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Yea, you shall not only be cast away as good for nothing, but shall be cast out as filth into the great receptacle of the filth of the world; you will be cast into a furnace of fire, as barren branches are gathered up and burnt. John xv. 6. “If a man not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” Or as barren trees are cut down and cast into the fire. Matt. iii. 10. “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees; therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.” As the tares were gathered together in bundles and burnt, you will be looked upon as fit for nothing else but to be destroyed. 2 Peter ii 12. “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not, and shall utterly perish in their own corruption.”

Instead of bestowing such peculiar mercies upon you, you in a little time will be stripped of all mercy. God will not have mercy on you, but your miseries will be as dreadful as those mercies that God bestows on his are valuable. They are but trifles that wicked men have bestowed upon them while in this world, in comparison of what the righteous shall have. The blessings of one righteous are more in value than the enjoyments of all the wicked. But hereafter wicked men will not have those; they will have nothing but the fiery wrath and indignation of God for their portion.

While you are in a natural condition, instead of your being God’s peculiar ones with respect to the interest which God hath in your heart, the devil has the greatest interest in your heart. He has the government and possession there, and therefore you are, and will be, the devil’s people, those that he claims, and those that will certainly fall to his share, at least if you continue in such a condition. Instead of being one in whom God has peculiar complacence, he has no pleasure in you; when you pretend to worship him, he has no delight in your hypocritical prayers and services, but they are an abomination to him.

II. If you are true Christians, then let God be peculiar with you.

1. Let God be your peculiar portion. If you are one of his peculiar people, he is so. All who are God’s people have chosen him for their God and portion. Do this more, and more, and more. Let all other things be lightly set by, and treated by you with neglect, in comparison of God.

Let God be the object of your peculiar value and esteem. If God has made you one of those on whom he sets a peculiar value, you who are a poor worthless worm, if he has set such a value upon you, as to purchase you with the price of the blood of his Son, who are in yourself a filthy, despicable creature, how much more reason is there that you should peculiarly value God, who is so great and glorious! It is fitting that this value should be mutual; and it is fitting that it should be in an answerable degree.

It will be but a little thing for you to esteem God above all in comparison of what it is for God so to prize his . See to it therefore, that there be nothing that stands in any competition with God in your esteem; value him more than all riches; value his honour and glory more than all the world; be ready at all times to part with all things else, and cleave to God. Let God be your peculiar friend, and value his friendship more than the respect and love of all the world. When you lose other enjoyments, when you lose earthly friends, let this be a supporting, satisfying comfort to you, that you have not lost God.

2. Let God be your peculiar confidence. There is great encouragement in this doctrine for you to make him so, and reason to enforce it as your duty. God expects that those who are his peculiar people should put their trust in him, and well they may do so, for God has a peculiar favour for them, and is peculiarly careful and tender of them. Be sensible, therefore, that it is unbecoming any, but especially those who are so near to God, and so favoured by him, to trust in their own , or in any arm of flesh. The peculiar people of God should not trust in themselves, they should not trust in friends, they should not trust in great men, they should not trust in their estates, or in any enjoyment as expecting happiness from it, but alone in the Lord God. He ought to he their refuge and hiding-place: in time of trouble they should hide themselves under the shadow of his wings.

3. Make God the peculiar object of your praises. The doctrine shows what great reason you have so to do. If God so values you, sets so much by you, has bestowed greater mercies upon you than on all the ungodly in the world; is it. too little a requital for you to make God the peculiar object of your praise and thankfulness? If God so distinguishes you with his mercy, you ought to distinguish yourself in his praises; you should make it your great care and study how to glorify that God who has been so peculiarly merciful to you. And the rather because there was nothing; peculiar in you, distinguishing you from any other person, that moved God to deal thus peculiarly by you. You were as unworthy to be set by as thousands of others that are not regarded of God, and Are cast away by him for ever.