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Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards (1703 - 1758). American Congregationalist pastor, theologian, and philosopher born in East Windsor, Connecticut, to a minister’s family. Graduating from Yale College in 1720, he earned an M.A. in 1723, studying divinity. Ordained in 1727, he pastored Northampton, Massachusetts, for 23 years, sparking the First Great Awakening with revivals in 1734-1735 and 1740-1742. His sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (1741) drew thousands to repentance, emphasizing divine wrath and grace. Edwards authored over 70 works, including A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections (1746) and Freedom of the Will (1754), shaping Reformed theology and American philosophy. A missionary to Native Americans in Stockbridge (1751-1757), he wrote The Life of David Brainerd, inspiring global missions. Married to Sarah Pierpont in 1727, they had 11 children, many influential in ministry. His rigorous preaching and writings, translated into 12 languages, influenced evangelicalism and Enlightenment thought. Edwards’ words, “The only way to know God is to love what He loves,” defined his call to heartfelt faith. Appointed president of the College of New Jersey (Princeton) in 1758, his legacy endures through reprints and theological scholarship.
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Jonathan Edwards preaches about the challenging journey to find the right way to Heaven, emphasizing that despite the great need, desire, and seeking, only a few actually find it. He highlights the narrow and difficult path to Heaven, contrasting it with the many wrong ways that people often mistake for the right way due to their own lusts, pride, and worldly desires. Edwards warns against being blinded by devils, worldly things, and wicked men, stressing the importance of relying on God's Word, prayer, and divine help to navigate the journey to Heaven.
Few There Be That Find It
Matthew 7:14 Few there be that find it. Not dated. From Grosart’s “Unpublished Writings.” It will be observed from the facsimile that [this] Sketch of a Sermon is written on the leaf of a letter. Very many of Edwards’s MSS. are thus written on all manner of kinds and scraps of paper. Doc[trine.] ’Tis a hard thing to find the right way to Heaven. I. There is a way to Heaven. God has opened a door. II. There is but one right way. III. ’Tis a hard thing to find this one right way. Appears: In that there are so few that find the way. Tho[ugh] all have so much need to find. Tho[ugh] so many desire to find and seek after it. Tho[ugh] so many think they have found. ................so many are mistaken. That many of those that do find it, first take a great deal of pains. Some for a long time. Many prayers. Many difficulties. Reason: Negatively, not that [God] hasn’t [has not] called us. “ “ very plain in itself. Reasons: Many wrong ways. Like traveling through a great wilderness. Full of difficulties...dangers.... But one right way. [A] narrow way. Many wrong ways. Mention some of the wrong ways. Do right in some things only. Outward Religion only. Affections that go away. Religious out of regard to men. Religious only out of fear of hell. ........from self-love. Don’t love God for Himself. Trust in their own righteousness. Depend on the good opinion of others. Apt to think themselves convicted when they are not. High pride: apt to think well of themselves. A little good looks great. Don’t see what is bad. How many things men often think are Conversion. 2. Men’s own lust blind[s] ’em. The way is good and plain. Right way is what men don’t like. Up-hill. Contrary to all their lusts. ..... to their pride. ..... to their worldliness. ................. sensuality. ................. slothfulness. Enmity against God. Wrong ways are Easy. Broad. Down-hill. 3. Devils. Blind them and deceive them. 4. Things of this world blind ’em. 5. Wicked men implead (?) ’em. Applica[tion.] What a great mercy to have the Word of God. Mercy that God has appointed ministers. Great need of Prayer — Never without God’s help. Don’t trust... v. 22... What need of God’s power and striving. Directions. Pray earnestly. Not trust.....[As above, v. 22.] Take advice. Begin soon. Hold on and hold out. Don’t take hope too soon. In every thing follow the Word of God. You need to be much concerned.
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Jonathan Edwards (1703 - 1758). American Congregationalist pastor, theologian, and philosopher born in East Windsor, Connecticut, to a minister’s family. Graduating from Yale College in 1720, he earned an M.A. in 1723, studying divinity. Ordained in 1727, he pastored Northampton, Massachusetts, for 23 years, sparking the First Great Awakening with revivals in 1734-1735 and 1740-1742. His sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (1741) drew thousands to repentance, emphasizing divine wrath and grace. Edwards authored over 70 works, including A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections (1746) and Freedom of the Will (1754), shaping Reformed theology and American philosophy. A missionary to Native Americans in Stockbridge (1751-1757), he wrote The Life of David Brainerd, inspiring global missions. Married to Sarah Pierpont in 1727, they had 11 children, many influential in ministry. His rigorous preaching and writings, translated into 12 languages, influenced evangelicalism and Enlightenment thought. Edwards’ words, “The only way to know God is to love what He loves,” defined his call to heartfelt faith. Appointed president of the College of New Jersey (Princeton) in 1758, his legacy endures through reprints and theological scholarship.