"Few there be that find it." -- Matthew 7:14
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 From Grosart’s “Unpublished Writings.”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.
Doctrine. ’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.
Though all have so much need to find.
Though so many desire to find and seek after it.
Though
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 blinds ’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.
Application.
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.
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's Jonathan Edwards Collection by:
Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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