Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Intend to live in continual mortification, and never to expect or desire any worldly ease or pleasure.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

There is, therefore, no difficulty in answering such questions as these. What cause was there why the Universe was placed in such a part of Space? and, Why was the Universe created at such a Time? for, if there be no Space beyond the Universe, it was impossible that it should be created in another place; and if there was no Time before, it was impossible it should be created at another time.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

When I am giving the relation of a thing, remember to abstain from altering either in the matter or manner of speaking, so much, as that, if every one, afterwards, should alter as much, it would at last come to be properly false.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

To mark all that I say in conversation, merely to beget in others, a good opinion of myself, and examine it.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

The beauty of the world consists wholly of sweet mutual consents, either within itself or with the supreme being.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Almost all men, and those that seem to be very miserable, love life, because they cannot bear to lose sight of such a beautiful and lovely world. The ideas, that every moment whilst we live have a beauty that we take not distinct notice of, brings a pleasure that, when we come to the trial, we had rather live in much pain and misery than lose.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

A little, wretched, despicable creature; a worm, a mere nothing, and less than nothing; a vile insect that has risen up in contempt against the majesty of Heaven and earth.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

The soul of a true christian, as I then wrote my meditations, appeared like such a little white flower as we see in the spring of the year; low and humble on the ground, opening its bosom to receive the pleasant beams of the sun’s glory; rejoicing, as it were, in a calm rapture; diffusing around a sweet fragrancy; standing peacefully and lovingly, in the midst of other flowers round about; all in like manner opening their bosoms to drink in the light of the sun.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

I assert that nothing ever comes to pass without a cause.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

This dictate of common sense.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Remember that pride is the worst viper that is in the heart, the greatest disturber of the soul's peace and sweet communion with Christ; it was the first sin that ever was, and lies lowest in the foundation of Satan's whole building, and is the most difficultly rooted out, and is the most hidden, secret and deceitful of all lusts, and often creeps in, insensibly, into the midst of religion and sometimes under the disguise of humility.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

In the text we have an account how this future glorious advancement of the church of God should be introduced; viz. By great multitudes in different towns and countries taking up a joint resolution, and coming into an express and visible agreement, that they will, by united and extraordinary prayer, seek to God, that he would come and manifest himself, and grant the tokens and fruits of his gracious presence.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

It is evident from the Scripture, that there is yet remaining a great advancement of the interest of religion and the kingdom of Christ in this world, by an abundant outpouring of the Spirit of God, far greater and more extensive than ever yet has been. It is certain, that many things, which are spoken concerning a glorious time of the church’s enlargement and prosperity in the latter days, have never yet been fulfilled.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad's of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

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

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

The apostle Paul is abundant in teaching, that 'we are justified by faith alone, without the works of the law!' There is no one doctrine that he insists so much upon, and that he handles with so much distinctness, explaining, giving reasons, and answering objections.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

The wrath of God burns against them, their damnation does not slumber; the pit is prepared, the fire is made ready, the furnace is now hot, ready to receive them; the flames do now rage and glow.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked: his wrath towards you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire; he is of purer eyes than to bear to have you in his sight; you are ten thousand times more abominable in his eyes, than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell; and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and switfly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf, and your healthy constitution, and your own care and prudence, and best contrivance, and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider's web would have to stop a fallen rock.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

You have reason to wonder that you are not already in hell.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

A greater absurdity cannot be thought of than a morose, hard-hearted, covetous, proud, malicious Christian.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

All the graces of Christianity always go together. They so go together that where there is one, there are all, and where one is wanting, all are wanting. Where there is faith, there are love, and hope, and humility; and where there is love, there is also trust; and where there is a holy trust in God, there is love to God; and where there is a gracious hope, there also is a holy fear of God.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Every Christian that goes before us from this world is a ransomed spirit waiting to welcome us in heaven.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Confess your nothingness and ill-desert before God. Distrust yourself. Rely only upon God. Renounce all glory except from Him. Yield yourself heartily to His will and service. Avoid an aspiring, ambitious, ostentatious, assuming, arrogant, scornful, stubborn, willful, levelling, self-justifying behavior; and strive for more and more of the humble spirit that Christ manifested while He was here upon earth.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Love is the active, working principle in all true faith. It is its very soul, without which it is dead. "Faith works by love."

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Consider that as a principle of love is the main principle in the heart of a real Christian, so the labor of love, is the main business of the Christian life.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

By Christ's purchasing redemption, two things are intended, His satisfaction, and His merit. All is done by the price that Christ lays down, which does two things: it pays our debt, and so it satisfies; by its intrinsic value, and by the agreement between the Father and the Son it procures our title, and so it merits. The satisfaction of Christ is to free us from misery, and the merit of Christ is to purchase happiness for us.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Whatever in Christ had the nature of satisfaction, was by virtue of His suffering or humiliation; whatever had the nature of merit, was by virtue of His obedience or righteousness.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Religion, in its purity, is not so much a pursuit as a temper; or rather it is a temper, leading to the pursuit of all that is high and holy. Its foundation is faith; its action, works; its temper, holiness; its aim, obedience to God in improvement of self, and benevolence to men.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Holy practice is the most decisive evidence of the reality of our repentance. "Bring forth fruits meet for repentance."

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

If you seek in the spirit of selfishness, to grasp all as your own, you shall lose all, and be driven out of the world, at last, naked and forlorn, to everlasting poverty and contempt.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

If there be ground for you to trust, as you do, in your own righteousness, then all that Christ did to purchase salvation, and all that God did from the fall of man to prepare the way for it, is in vain. Consider what greater folly could you have devised to charge upon God than this, that all those things were done so needlessly; when, instead of all this, He might only have called you forth, and committed the business to you, which you think you can do so easily.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

What self-righteous persons take to themselves, is the same work that Christ was engaged in when He was in His agony and bloody sweat, and when He died on the cross, which was the greatest thing that ever the eyes of angels beheld. Christ could accomplish other parts of this work without cost; but this part cost Him His life, as well as innumerable pains and labors. Yet this is the part which self-righteous persons go about to accomplish for themselves.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)

Christian practice is that evidence which confirms every other indication of true godliness.

— Jonathan Edwards (theologian)