CORNELL 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 STEWART H. BURNHAM 
 FUND 
 
Cornell University Library 
 BX7260.E3 H79 
 
 Memoirs of the Rev Jonathan Edwards 
 
 olin 
 
 3 1924 029 461 278 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tlnis bool< is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029461278 
 
MEMOIRS 
 
 iPres^itrmt (^tutuartr^* 
 
W. Hdg'bes, Printer, 
 9, Maddeo-Laoe, Covent-Garden. 
 
sV 
 
 'r ' 
 
 
OF THE 
 
 REV. JONATHAN EDWARDS, A.M. 
 
 President of'ihe College in New Jtrsev. 
 • Compiled originallt 
 
 BY SAMUEL HOPKINS, D. D. 
 
 REVISED AND ENLARGED BY THE EDITORS OF 
 EDWAEDS'S WORKS, 
 
 And now first published In a sepairate Yolnme, with 
 ' numerous verbal Emendations. 
 
 BY JOHN HAWKSLEY 
 
 IConbon : 
 
 PRINTED FOR JAMES, BLACJt, 
 
 TORE-STRBBT, COTENT-GARDENi 
 
 1815. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Preface • vii 
 
 Chap, I. Mr. Edwards's Birth, Parentage, &c 1 
 
 Chap. II. Extracts from his Private Writings. 8 
 
 Sect. 1. His Reiolutians 9 
 
 Sect. 2. Extfactsfrom his Diary 17 
 
 .Sect. 3. Account of his Conversion, S[c. written hy hivuself. 42 
 
 Chap. III. His^general D^ortmeiit 78 
 
 Chap. IV. His Departure from Northampton Ill 
 
 Chap. Y. From his Mission to the Indians until his 
 
 Death .-... 167 
 
 Sect. 1. His Mission to the Indians at Stochh-idge .... ibid. 
 Sect. % His Election to the Presidency of New Jersey 
 
 College 173 
 
 Chap. VI. His Publications, Manuscripts, &c 191 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 ~ I. Mrs. Edwards's £ife and Cliaracter 205 
 
 II. A brief Account of Mrs. Burr '217 
 
 III. The Life and Character of Cr. Edwards 228 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 In the esteem of "all the judicious who 
 were well acquainted with him, Presi- 
 DlENT Edwards* was one of the greatest, 
 best, and most useful men of this age. By 
 his conversation, preaching, and writings, 
 he discovered a remarkable strength of 
 mind, clearness of thought, and depth of 
 penetration. 
 
 JVo one, perhaps, in our day, has been 
 more universally esteemed as an eminently 
 
 * There was. another valuable writer of the name of 
 Jonathan Edwards, Prineipal of Jestrs College, Cambridge, 
 who published an excellent, book,, entitled, " A Preserva- 
 tive against Socinianism," in four Parts, 4to. ; the first of 
 -which was printed in 1693, and the last in 1763. — By way 
 of distinction, therefore, as well as of deserved respect, 
 the subject of these Memoirs is called " President 
 Edwards."— W. 
 
VUl PREFACE. 
 
 good man. His love to God and the ex- 
 cellent of the eatth, ^^^ bis,h,Q|ievoIence to 
 man ; his zeal for God and his cause ; his 
 uprightness, humility, self-denial, and wean- 
 edness from ,the world ; his close walk 
 wjth God; his conscientious,. conMant, and 
 universal obedience^ in all holy ways of 
 living— --have been as conspicuous as the 
 uncommon strength of his understanding. 
 
 And that this; distinguished light has 
 not shone in vain, we have the most ample 
 testimony. God, the giver of his talents/ 
 led him into a way of improving;- thein, 
 both by preaching and writing, which has 
 proved the means of converting many from 
 the error of their ways, and of greatly pro- 
 motingh the interest- of real Christianity^ 
 both in America and in Europe. And 
 there is reason to hope, that though dead^ 
 he will ye^ speak for ages to cottiie, to the 
 great advantage of the church of Christj 
 
PREFACE. IX 
 
 and the immortal welfare of many souls — 
 and. that his publications will produce a 
 yet grgater harvest of happiness to man 
 and glory to God in the day of the Lord. 
 
 The design of the following Memoirs 
 is not merely to publish these things, in 
 order to tell the world how eminently 
 great, wise, holy, and useful a person Pre- 
 sident Edwards was ; but rather to give 
 the needful information as to what way, 
 and by the use of what means, he attained 
 to such an uncommon degree of knowledge, 
 holiness, and usefulness, that others may 
 thereby be directed and excited to attempt 
 the same. 
 
 The reader, therefore, is not to expect a 
 mere encomium on the dead, but a plain 
 and faithful narrative of leading facts; 
 together with some internal exercises, ex- 
 pressed in Mr. Edwards's own words. Let 
 no one regard the following composure so 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 miicb an ^qt of friendship for the dead, as 
 of kindness to the living ; it being only an 
 attsmpt to render a life that has been 
 greatly usefitl, yet more so. And let the 
 reader keep in memory, that if he is not 
 made wiser and better, gains no skill or 
 disposition to live tbljaly and wefuji life* he 
 fails entirely in what was principally de- 
 signed by these Memoirs. 
 
 In this world, so full of darkness and 
 di^Iugio^ it is of great importance that all 
 should be able to distinguish between true 
 religion and that which is ^Ise^ TowardSc 
 this, n& one pgchaps has taken more pains^ 
 or laboured more successfully, than he, 
 whose Ufe is- set before tti& reader. And it 
 is presumed that his r^igious exercises, 
 resolutions, and conduct, h^ere exhibited, 
 wiil serve well to illustrate, and in nc 
 common degree to ex«^pli% his importanjl 
 Wfitif^ QB; rthat subject. Here pure and 
 
PREFACE, "U 
 
 uudefiled religion, in distinction from all 
 Gouaterfeits^ exhibits a picture well calcu- 
 lated to instruct and console those who, 
 in their religious sentiments and. exlb<;ises, 
 are built^ on tiie foundation of the apostles 
 and prophets, and of which Jesus Chrisit i& 
 the chief corner stone. Their hearts and 
 practices will, in some degree, answer to 
 it, as in a mirror fac« answers* to face. 
 And here, they who ;'ha;ve hitherto, tmfaap- 
 piiy, been in darkness and delusion, as to 
 this infinitely important affair, may be in- 
 gfructed and convinceid. 
 
 This is a {H)int conpemibg which, above 
 most otbears, the Protestant world appears to 
 >be muchin the dark; Mr^ Edwards was wont, 
 frequently, to observe this in conversation, 
 and the longer he lived, the more was he 
 convinced of it. If therefore the follo\«^ing 
 account is adapted to answer this pmrpose, 
 aBidmay be considered asa seasohaible'word, 
 
xn PREPACE, 
 
 Saying, " This is the way, walk ye in it," it 
 will not only be a relief under so great a 
 .calamity to the christian world, the early' 
 removal of so bright a luminary, but also 
 prove a great blessing to many, and pro- 
 mote an end highly important; an end 
 worthy the attention and pursuit of all, and 
 which engaged the warm and steady zeal 
 of the subject of these Memoirs to the last; 
 
 In this view, especially, is the following 
 life offered to the public, with an earnest 
 desire that every reader may faithfully 
 improve it for the purpose of advancing 
 vindefiUd religion in himself and others, 
 while he candidly overlooks any defects 
 which he may observe to be chargeable on 
 the compiler. 
 
 August 20, 1764. 
 
 The notes signed W. and the Appendix No. III. were 
 added bj^the Rev. Dr. Williams and the Hev. E. Parsons, 
 the editors of Piesident Edwards's Works. 
 
REV. JONATHAN EDWARDS, A.M. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Mr. Edwards's Birth and Parentage, Education and 
 Entrance on the Ministry. ^ , 
 
 President Edwards was. one of those 
 men of whom it is not easy to speak with 
 justice, without seeming, at least, to. border 
 on the marvellous, and to incur the guilt cif 
 adulation. The christian biographer labours 
 under a difficulty, in describing the cha- 
 racters of extraordinary men, which the 
 writers of other lives are but too generally 
 allowed to forget; for he is bound so to 
 represent actions and motives, as to remind 
 his readers, that the uncommon excellencies 
 of a character flow entirely from the bounty 
 of heaven, for the wisest and best purposes, 
 and are not the result of natural vigour and 
 acumen. Otherwise, instead of placing 
 
 B 
 
2 THE LIFE OF 
 
 these excellencies m a view advantageous 
 for imitation, or describiiig a character 
 attainable, as^to its most valuable traits, 
 only by. gracious aiicte, there wduld be dan- 
 ger gf setting up an idol; more precioui^ 
 indeed than gold,, but still an idol, whereby 
 the mind would be le# astray from the one 
 great object of thf; christian life,_ Jesus 
 Christ, whose fulness^//e^A all in all. While, 
 we have a just view oi him, it is a privilege 
 to hear of his wonderful works in and by 
 his honoured setvg^nts ; and to be enabled 
 to -imitate them is a great augmentation of 
 the privilege. If their graces, ekeniplified. 
 in a variety ©f circumstances, in A manner' 
 force us to a thron'e of grace, and thereby 
 prove th& means of quickening ours ; then 
 do we make a right use of their histoiyy 
 and follow them who through faith .and' 
 patiencfe inherit the promises.. 
 
 Jonathan Edwards was born on the 5th 
 of October, 1703, at Windsor, in the Pro- 
 vince of Connecticut, North America. His 
 father, the Rev. Timothy Edwards, was 
 minister of that place almost sixty years,- 
 and resided there from Nov. 1694, till 
 
?RES1DENT EDWARDS. S 
 
 January, 1758, when he died, in the eighty^, 
 ninth year of his age ; not two months be- 
 fore this his only son Jonathan. He was 
 universally beloved, and esteemed as an 
 upright, pious, exemplary man ; , a faithful 
 and very useful minister of the gospel. A few 
 more particulars of this excellent man will 
 be acceptable. He was born at Hartford, 
 in Connecticut, May 14th, 1669; and re- 
 ceived the honours of the college at Cam- 
 bridge, in New England, by having the 
 degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts 
 given him the same day, July 4th, 1694, 
 one ih the forenoon, and the other in the 
 afternoon. On November 6th, 1694, he 
 in^rried Esther, daughter of the Rev. and 
 celebrated Solomon Stoddard, of North- 
 ampton, iji the twenty- third year of her age. 
 They lived together in the married state 
 above sixty-three years. /Mrs., Edwards, 
 Ihe President's mother, was born June 
 2d, 1672, and lived to about ninety years 
 of age, (dying some years after her son,) 
 a remarkable instance of the sm^ll decay ot 
 mental powers. This venerabl^eouple'had 
 eleven' children; one son, the subject of these 
 
4 THE LirE OF 
 
 Memoirs, and ten daughters, four of whom 
 were olderj and six younger than himself 
 
 * We shall here subjoin a sketch of Mr-Edwards's mor^ 
 remote ancestors, as it may gratify some readers. JoYia- 
 than Edwards's -grandfather was Richard Edwards, who 
 married Elizabeth Tuttle, daughter of William Tuttle, of 
 New Haven, in Connecticut, and Elizabeth his wife,.who 
 came from Northamptonshii-e, in Old Eugjand. By thii^. 
 connection he had seven children, of whom the eldest waa 
 Timothy, thfi President's father. His second marriage wa» 
 to Mrs. Talcot, sister.to .Governor Talcot, by whom he bad 
 six children.— Thefatherof Richard, was William Edwards, 
 Jonathan's great-grandfather, who came from England 
 young and unmarried. "I'he person he married, whose 
 christian name was Agnes, and who had left England for 
 America, had two brothers in England, one of them mayor 
 of Exeter, and the other of Barnstaple. — The father of 
 William, Richard Edwards, the President's, great-greats 
 grandfather, was minister of the gospel in London, in the 
 reign of Queen Elizabeth ; and his wife, Ann Edwards, was 
 employed in making- some part of the royal attire. After 
 the death of Mr. Edwards, she married Mr. James Cole, 
 who with her son A^illiam accompanied her to America, 
 and all died at Hartford, ip Connecticut. 
 
 President Edwards's grandfather, on the mother's side, 
 the Rev. Solomon Stoddard, of Northampton, New Eng- 
 land, niaiTied Mrs, Mather, the relict of the Rev. 'Mr. 
 Mather, his predecessor, who was the first minister at 
 Northampton. Her maiden name was Esther Warhara; 
 daiighter and youngest child of the Rev; John Warham, 
 minister at Windsor, in Connecticut, and who, before he 
 left England, had been minister at Exeter. This lady had 
 three children by Mr. Mather; Eunice, Warham, and 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 
 
 Mr. Edwards entered Yale College when 
 about twelve years of age; and received 
 
 Eliakim ; and twelve children by Mr. Stoddard, six sons 
 and six daughters. Three of the sons died in infancy.'atid 
 three lived. to adult years, viz. Anthony, John, and Israel; 
 the last of whom died a prisoner in France. Anthony was 
 minister of the gdspel at Woodbury, in Connecticut ; he was 
 in the ministry about sixty years, and died Sept. 6, 1760, in 
 the eighty-second year of his age. John lived at Northamp- 
 ton, and often, especially in his younger years, served, the 
 town as their representative, at the great and general court 
 at Boston; and was, long, head of the county of Hampshire, 
 as chief colonel, and cl^ef judge of the court of common 
 pleas. He likewise served in the province of Massachuseta 
 Bay, as one of his Majesty's counuiL He distinguished 
 himself as an able politician, a wise counsellor, an Upright 
 and skilful judge ; possessed in an eminent degree the spirit 
 of government, and ever proved a great and steady friend 
 to the interest of religion. He was a warm friend and ad- 
 mirer of^Jdur Mr. Edwards, and, to the time of his death, 
 greatly strengthened his hands in the work of the ministry. 
 A more particular account of the life and character of this 
 truly great man, may be seen in the sermon which Mr. 
 Edwards preached and published, on the occasion of his 
 death. — ^The father of Mr. Solomon Stoddard, and Mr. 
 Edwards's great-grandfatherj on the mother's side, was 
 Anthony Stoddard^ esq. of Boston, a zealous congrega- 
 tional man. He had five wives, the first of whom was Mary 
 Downing, sister to Sir Gcjprge Downing, whose other sister 
 married Governor Bradstreet. Solomon was the first child 
 Of this first marriage: — From these particulars it appears, 
 that Mr. Edwards's ancestors were from the west of Eng- 
 land, who, upon their emigration, allied themselves to 
 some of the most respectable families in America. 
 
6 THE LIFE OF 
 
 the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Sept. 
 1720, a little before he M'as ' seventeen. 
 Wjiile at college, his character was marked 
 with sobriety and improvement in learning. 
 In the second year of his abode there, he 
 read Locke on the Human Understanding 
 with much delight. His uncommon geniusj 
 by which he was naturally formed for close- 
 thought and deep penetration, now began 
 to discover arid exert itself. From his.own 
 account, 'he was inexpressibly entertained 
 and pleased with that book, when he read it 
 at college; more sq than the most avaricious 
 miser, when accumulating stores of silver 
 and gold from some newly-discovered trea- 
 sure. Thqugh he made good proficiency in 
 all the arts and scicnebs, and had an un- 
 common taste for natural philosophy, (which 
 he cultivated to the end of his life,) yet 
 moral philosophy, including divinity, was 
 Jiis favourite subject, in which he soon 
 made great progress. 
 
 He lived at college nearly two years after 
 he took his first degree, preparing for the 
 work of the ministry ; after which, having 
 passed the usual trials, he was licensed' to 
 
PRESIDENT- EDAVARDS. 7 
 
 preach the gospel as a candidate.' In con- 
 sequence of an application- from a number 
 of ministers in New England, w.ho were 
 intrusted to aet in behalf qf the English 
 Presbyterians in New York, he went to 
 that city at:the beginning of August, 1752, 
 .and preached there with great acceptance 
 about eight months. But on account of the 
 smallness of the society, and some special 
 difficulties that attended it, he did not 
 think there was a rational prospect of 
 answering the good end proposed, by his 
 settling there as their minister. He there- 
 fore left them the next spring, and retired 
 to his father's house, where he spent the 
 summer in close study. He was earnestly 
 solicited by the people to return again to 
 New York ; but hi& former views were not 
 altered, and therefore, ho\y^ever disposed to 
 gratify,, them, he .could: not comply with 
 their wishes. -^ 
 
 ' In Sept. 1723, he received his degree of 
 Master of Arts. Abont -this time sevdr-al 
 congregations invited him to become their 
 minister; but being chosen tutor of Yale, 
 College, he decided to continue, in that 
 
8 THE LIFE or 
 
 retirement, where he attended the business 
 of tuition above two years. During his stay 
 thei-e, he was applied to by the people at 
 Northampton, who had some powerful 
 rtiotives to offer, in favour of his exercising 
 his ministry among them; and especially 
 that his grandfather Stoddard, by reason of 
 his great age, stood in need of assistance. 
 He therefore resigned his tutorship in 
 Sept. 1726, and accepted their invitation,- 
 and was ordained as colleague with his 
 grandfather, Feb. 15, 1727, in the twenty- 
 fourth year of his age, and continued at 
 Northampton twenty-three j^ears and four 
 months. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 Extracts from his Private Writings.' 
 
 Bbtween the time of his going to New 
 York and his settlement at Northampton, 
 Mr. Edwards formed a number of Resolu- 
 tions, which are still preserved. The par- 
 ticular time,, and special occasion of making 
 many of these Resolutions, hfc has noted in 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 9 
 
 a Diary which he then kept; \^here we 
 also find many other observations and rules 
 relative to his own exercises and conduct. 
 As these private writings may be justly 
 considered the' basis of his conduct, or the 
 plan according to which his whole life was^ 
 .governed, it may be proper here to give the 
 reader some idea of them by the following 
 extracts. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 His Resolutions. 
 
 Mr. Edwards was too well acquainted 
 with human weakness and frailty, where 
 the intention is most sincere, to enter on 
 any resolutions rashly. He therefore looked 
 to God for aid, who alone can afford suc- 
 cess in the use of any means. This he 
 placed at the head of all his other important 
 rules, — that his dependence was on grace,T— 
 while he frequently recurred to a serious 
 perusal of thern.-— -" Being sensible that I 
 am unable to do any thing" without God's 
 help, I do humbly intreat him by his grace 
 tfi enable me to keep these resolutions, so 
 
10 THE LIFE OF 
 
 far as they, are agreeable to his will, for 
 Christ's sake." He then adds : 
 
 " KEMEMBEE TO READ OVER THESE EESOLTJ- 
 TIONS OijCE A WEEK."* 
 
 1-. Resolved, that I will do whatsoeoer 
 I think to be most to Grod's glory and my 
 own good, profit, and pleasure, on the 
 whole; without any Consideration of the 
 time, whether now, or never so ' many' 
 myriads of ages hence ; — to do whatever I 
 think to be my duty, and most for the good 
 'and advantage of mankind in general, — 
 
 * The Resolatious, as contained in the original manu- 
 script, were seventy in number ; a part only are here tran- 
 scribed, as a specimen of the whole. The figures aflixed \a 
 thena are those by which they were numbered in that 
 manuscript ; and they are here retained tor the sake of the 
 references made to some of them in the Diary, as the 
 reader will find in the subsequent part of these Memoirs. 
 It may be prosier to add, that we should regard the s^ti-^ 
 of these Resolutions, and the following extracts i'rom the 
 Diary, without ,a minute attention to the critical nicety of 
 his language. In fact, as these extracts were penned m a 
 very early period of life, his style was not formed ; and his 
 chief concern was to deal plainly with himselt, in the pre- 
 sence of God, and to record for his own private inspection 
 vhat he thought might be of most use to him iu fu- 
 ture.— W* 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 1 1 
 
 •whatever difficulties I meet with, how ni^ny 
 
 and how great soever. 
 
 2, Resolved, to be continually endea^ 
 vouring to. find some new contrivance to 
 promote .the fore-mentioned things. 
 
 4. Resolved, .tefer to do, be, or suffer 
 any thing, in soul or body, less or more, 
 but what tends to the glory of God. 
 
 , 5. Resolved, never to lose one moment 
 of time ; but improve it in the most profit- 
 able way I possibly can. 
 
 6. JResolved, to live with all my might, 
 while I do live.* 
 
 7. Resolved, never to do any thing, which 
 I should be afraid to do if it were the last 
 hour of iriy life. 
 
 9. Resolved, to think much, on all occa- 
 sions, of nly own dying, and of the common 
 circutnstances which attend death. 
 
 * This is the full and' exact import of the Latin motto, 
 " Hum mvirms, vivamas;" which was the motto of Dr. Dod- 
 dridge's family arms, and which he paraphrased Vfith so 
 much beauty. 
 
 " Live,' while you live, the epicure would say, 
 " And seize the pleasures of the present day.' 
 " Live, while you live, the sacred preacher Ciiei, 
 " And give to God each moment as it flies. 
 " Lord, in my views let both united be ; 
 " Iliyeiu pleasure, when I lire to thet."'^Vf. 
 
lA THE IIF£ OF 
 
 1 1. Resolved, when I think of any theo- 
 rem in divinity to be solved, immediately 
 to do what I can towards solving it, if gir- 
 cumstances do not hinder. 
 
 13. Resolved, to be endeavouring to find 
 out fit objects of charity and liberality. 
 
 14. Resolved, never to do any thing out 
 of revenge. 
 
 15. Resolved, never to suffer the least 
 motions of anger to irrational beings. 
 
 17. Resolved, that I will live so as I 
 shall wish I had done when. I come to die. 
 
 1 8. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I 
 think is best in my devout frames, and 
 when I have clearest notions of the gospel 
 and another world. 
 
 20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest 
 temperance in eating and drinking. 'i31 
 
 21. Resolved, never to do any thing, 
 which if I should see in another, I should 
 count a just occasion to despise him for, ox 
 to think any way the more meanly, of 
 him. 
 
 24. Resolved, whenever I do, any evil 
 action, to trace it back, till I come to the 
 original cause; and then both carefully 
 endeavour to do so no more, and to^fight 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 13 
 
 and pray with all my might against the 
 original of it. ; 
 
 28. Resolved, to study the scriptures so 
 steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that 
 I may find, and plainly perceive myself to 
 grow in the knowledge rof the same. 
 
 SO. Resolved, to strive to my utmost 
 every week to be brought higher in reli- 
 gion, and to a higher exercise of grace, 
 than I was the week before. 
 
 32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly 
 faithful to my trust, that Pro v. xx. 6v (A 
 
 faithful man who can find?) may not b« 
 partly fulfilled in me. . 
 
 33. Resolved, always to do what . I can 
 towards making, maintaining, and establish- 
 ing peace, when it can be done without an 
 over-balancing detriment in other respf cts» 
 
 ^4. Resolved, in narrations never to speak 
 any thing but the pure and simple verity. 
 
 36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any 
 person, except some particular good call 
 for it, - ' 
 
 37. Resolved, to enquire every night, as 
 I am going to bed, wherein, I have been 
 negligent, what sin I have committed, and 
 
14 THE LIFE or 
 
 wherein I have denied myself; also at. the 
 end of every week, month, and year. 
 
 38. Resolved, never to. speak any thing 
 that is ridiculous, or matter of laughter on 
 the Lord's day. 
 
 39. Resolved, never to do any thing 
 that I so much question the lawfulness of, 
 as that I intend, at the same time, to con- 
 sider and examine afterwards, whether it 
 be lawful or no : except I as much question 
 the lawfulness of the omission. 
 
 41. Resolved, to' ask myself at the end 
 of every day, week, month, and year, 
 wherein I could possibly in any respect 
 have done better. 
 
 42. Resolved, frequently to renew the 
 dedication of myself to God, which was 
 made at my baptism; which I solemnly (j 
 renewed when I was received into the 
 communion of the church; and which I 
 have solemnly ratified this twelfth day of 
 January, 1723. 
 
 '43. Resolve.d, never to act as if I- were 
 any way my own, but entirely and alto- 
 gether God'^. 
 
 46. Resolved, never to allow the least 
 
president' EDWARDS. 15 
 
 measure of any fretting uneasiness a,t my 
 father or mother. Resolved, to suffer no 
 effects of it,' so much as in the least altera- 
 tion of speech, or motioa of my eye : and 
 to be especially careful' of it, with respect 
 to any of our family. W i, 
 
 47. Resolved j to endeavour to my utmost 
 to deny whatever is not most agreeable to 
 a good, and universally sweet and benevo- 
 lent, quiet, peaceable, contented, easy, 
 compassionate, generous, humble, meek, 
 modest, submissive, obliging, dihgent aad 
 industrious, charitable, even, patient, mode- 
 rate, forgiving, sincere temper ; and to do 
 at all times what such a temper would lead 
 me to. Examine strictly every week, 
 whether I have done so. 
 
 48. Resolved) constantly, with the utmost 
 niceness and diligence, 'and the strictes.t 
 scrutiny, to be looking into the state of 
 my soul, that I may know whether I have 
 truly an interest in Christ or no; that when 
 I come to die, I may not have any negli- 
 gence respecting this to repent of. 
 
 50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I 
 shall judge would have been best, and 
 
16 THE LIFE OF 
 
 most prudent, when I come into the future 
 •world... 1 . 
 
 52. I frequently hear persons in old age 
 say how they would live, if they were to 
 live their lives, over again : Resolved, that 
 I will live jiist so as I can think I shall 
 wish I had done^ supposing I live to old 
 age. , . 
 
 - 54. Whenever I hear any thing spoken 
 in, conversation of any person, if I think it 
 would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved, to 
 endeavour to imitate it, , 
 
 55. Resolved, to endeavour to my utmos|t 
 to act as I can think I should do, if I haet 
 already seen the happiness of heaven, and 
 hell torments. 
 
 56: Resolved, never to give over, nor iu 
 the least to slacken my fight with my cor- 
 ruptions, liawiever unsuccessful I may be. 
 
 57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes 
 and adversities, to examine whether I hayg 
 jdone my duty, arid resolve to do it; and let 
 it be'just as Providence orders it, I will, as 
 far as I can, be concerned about nothing 
 but my duty and my sin. 
 .6S» Resolved, never to do any thing bwt 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS, 17 
 
 duty ; and then, according to Eph. vi. 6—8, 
 do it willingly and cheerfully as unto thte 
 Lord, and not to man ; knowing that what- 
 ever good thing 'any man doth, the same 
 shall he receive of the Lord. 
 
 65. Resolved, to exercise ftiyself much 
 in this all my life long, viz.- with the 
 greatest openness to declare my ways to 
 Godj and lay open my soul to him : all my 
 sins, temptations^ difficulties, sorrows, fears, 
 hopes, desires, and every thing,- and every 
 circumstance; according to Dfi Manton's 
 27th sermon on the llS^th Psalm. "' 
 
 67. Resolved, after afflictions, to in- 
 quire. What I am the better for theni ; 
 what good I have got, and what I w^hi 
 have got by them." 
 
 SECT. II, 
 
 Extracts from his Viary. 
 
 Though Mr. Edwards wrotd his piary 
 for his own private use, exclusively, it is 
 not apprehended that the following extracts 
 are unfairly exposed to public view. That 
 which is calculated to do godd, and is per- 
 
18 THE LIFE OF 
 
 fectly consistent with an feutbor's real 
 reputation, may be publi^ed with honour, 
 whatever his (design might be while writing. 
 Besides, what Mr. Edwards wished to have 
 j^eiFectually concealed from every eye; but 
 his own, he wrote in< a particular, short 
 hand. After having written' pretty much 
 in that character, he, adds this remark in 
 long hand ; " Remember to act according 
 to Piav^:^ii. 2,3. A prudent man conceakti, 
 knowledge." 
 
 S^turda,y, Dec. 22, 173^. — This day, 
 revived by God's Holy Spirit. Affeet^i 
 with the sense of the excellency of holiness. 
 . Felt more e;xercise of love to Christ than 
 usual. Ha'^^e : dsx) , felt sensible: repenibaaii|e;; 
 for sin, because it was c&mmitted agaiasl; 
 so merciful and good a God. This night, 
 made the 37th Resolution. 
 
 Sabbath night, Dec. 23. — Made the 38th 
 Resolution. 
 
 Monday, Dec 24. — Higher thoughts, than 
 usual of the excellencv of .Tesus Chrkt and 
 his kingdom. 
 
 Wednesday, Jan. 2, 1723.— Dull. I find 
 by experience, that let me nrake resoliu. 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. -l^ 
 
 tions, ami do what I will, with never so 
 many inventions, it is all nothing, and to no 
 purpose at all, without the motions of thte 
 Spirit of God- for 'if the Spirit of Grid 
 should be as much withdrawn; from me 
 always, as for the week past, notwith- 
 standing all I do, I should not grow ,* but 
 should languish, and miserably fade away. 
 There is na dependence upon myself.. It 
 is to no purpose to resolve, except we de- 
 pend on the grace of God; for if it were 
 not for his mere grace, one might be a very 
 good man one day, and a very wicked one 
 thfe next. " 
 
 Sabbath, Jan. 6, at nighti-^^Much con- 
 cerned about the improvement of precious 
 time. Intend to live in continual mortifica- 
 tion, without ceasing, as long, as in this 
 world. . ; , 
 
 Tuesday, Jan. 8, in the morning. — Higher 
 thoughts than usual of the excellency of 
 Christ, and felt an unusual repentance for 
 sin therefrom. 
 
 Wednesday, Jan. 9, at night — Decayed. 
 I am somfetimes apt to think, I have a great 
 deal more of holiness than I really have. I 
 
to THE LIFE OP 
 
 find, now and then, that ahommable cor- 
 ruption, which is directly contrary to what 
 I Fciid respecting eminent christians. How 
 deceitful is my heart! I take up a strong 
 resolution, but how soon does it weaken^ 
 
 Thursday, Jan.lG,aboutnoon.^Reviving. 
 'Tis a great dishonour to Christ, in whom I 
 ■hope; J have an interest, to be uneasy at my 
 worldly state and condition : — When I see 
 the prosperity of others, and tlmt all thingis 
 •go easy .with them; when the world is 
 smooth to them,- and they are happy in 
 many respects, and very prosperous, or are 
 advanced to much honour, &c, to envy 
 them, or be the least uneasy at it ; or even 
 to wish for the same prosperity, and that it 
 would ever be so with me. Wherefofl^ 
 concluded, always to rejoice in every bne^ 
 prosperity, and to expect for myself no 
 happiness of that nature as Idng as I live; 
 but reckon upon afflictions, and betake my- 
 self entirely to another happiness. 
 
 I think I find myself much more sprightly 
 and heakhy, both in' 'body and mindj<! for 
 my self-denial in eating, drinking, and 
 sleeping. I thiak it would be advantageojtt 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 21 
 
 every morning to consider my business and 
 temptations ; and what sins I shall be ex- 
 posed to that day :' and to make a resolu- 
 tion how to. improve the day, and to avoid 
 those sins. And so at the beginning of 
 every week, month, and year. — I never 
 knew before what was meant by not setting 
 our hearts upon these things. It is not to 
 care about them, depend upon them, afflict 
 ourselves much with fears of losing them, 
 or please ourselves with expectation of ob- 
 taining them, or hope of their continuance. 
 At night made the 41st Resolution. 
 
 Saturday, Jan. IS, in the morning.^I 
 have this day solemnly renewed my bap-> 
 tisinal covenant and self-^dedication, which 
 I renewed when I was received into the 
 communion of the church, I have been 
 before God; and have given myself, all 
 that I am and have to God, so that I am' 
 not in any respect my own : I can claim 
 no right in myself, no right in this under- 
 standing, this will, these aifections that are 
 in me ; neither have I any right to this 
 body, or any of its members! B no right to 
 this . tongue, these hands, nor feet : no 
 
22 THE LIFE OF 
 
 right to these senses, these eyes, tnese earSfj 
 this smell or .taste. I have ;given myself 
 clear ' away, and 'have mot retained any 
 thing as my , own. I have been,- to Gonfc 
 this morning, and. told him that I gaVi 
 myself 0!^©% to Oaim. ,(L have given everiji- 
 power to hi.m^. so that for the, futurCj , I 
 will challenge or claim no right in myself, 
 in any respect. I have expressly promis^ 
 him, and do now promise Almighty Goi^l 
 that by his grace I will not. I have thj^ 
 morning told him, that I did take hiii^ 
 for my whole portion and felicity, looking 
 on nothing else as^ any pait of my happi- 
 ness, nor acting as if it were; and. his law 
 ibr the constant rule of my obedience : an<J 
 would fight with all my might against the 
 world, the flesh, and the devil, to the enii 
 6f my life. . And did believe in Jesus 
 Christ, and receive him as a prince and a 
 saviour; and would adhefe to the faitfe 
 attd obedience of the gospel^; how hazar- 
 dous and difficult soever the profession and 
 practice iof it may be. Tliat I did receive 
 the blessed Spirit as my teacher,^ sanctii^ 
 and only comforter; and cherish alj hi« 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 23 
 
 motions to enlighten, purify, confirm, com- 
 fort, and assist ^e. This I have done. 
 And I pray God, "for the sake of Christ, to" 
 look upon it as a self-dedication ; and to 
 receive me now as entirely his own, and 
 d«al with me in all respects as such ; "Whe- 
 ther he afflicts me or prospers me,' or what- 
 ever he pleases to do with ttie, who am his. 
 Now, heftcdforth I am not t» act in any 
 respect as my own: I shall act as my own, 
 if I ever make use of aiiy of my powers to 
 any thing that is not to the glory ofGrod, 
 or do not niake the glorifying of him my 
 whole and entire business; if I murmur in 
 the least at afflictions ; if I grieve at the 
 prosperity of others ; if I am any way un- 
 charitable; if I am -angry because of inju^ 
 ries ; if I revenge my own cause ; if I do 
 any thing purely to please myself, or avoid 
 any thing /for the sake of my -ease, or omit 
 any thing because it is great self-denial; if 
 I trust to myself; (, if I take aiiy of the 
 praise of any good that I do, or rather God 
 does by me; 'or if I am any Way proud. 
 This day made the 42ld and 43d Reso- 
 lutions. 
 
a4 THE LIFE or 
 
 Monday^ Jan. 14. — The dedication I 
 made.of mysdf to my God, on Saturda^. 
 l^st, has been exceeding useful to me. I 
 thought I had a more spiritual insight inte, 
 the scripture while reading the &th chapter 
 to the Romans, than ever in my life befOTeii 
 -r-Great instances of mortification are dee|k 
 wounds given to thes body of gin, Imrd* blows 
 that make feina stagger and reel;, we 
 thereby get firm ground and footing agaii»i| 
 him. — While we live without great? in- 
 stances of mortification and self-denial, the 
 old man keeps whereabouts he was; fothc 
 is sturdy and obstinate, and will not stir 
 for small blows. After the greatest mor- 
 tifications, I always find the greatest com- 
 fort. Supposing there was never but one 
 complete christian, in aH respects, of a 
 right stamp, having Christianity shining in 
 its true lustre, at a time in the world ; re- 
 solved, to act just as I would do, if I strove 
 with" all B?y' might to be that one,, that 
 shoiilt^ be in.iny time. 
 
 Tuesday, Jan. 15. — It seemed yesterday, 
 the day before, , arid, Saturday, that I shoald 
 always retain the same resolutions to- the 
 
PRESlfJENT EDWARDS. kS 
 
 same height, but alas, how soon do 1 de- 
 cay! O, how weak, how infirm, bow unable 
 to do any thing am I! What a poor, in- 
 consistent, miserable wretch, without the 
 assistance of God's Spirit!- While I. stand, 
 I am ready to think; I stand, in my own 
 Btiength ; and am ready to triumph over 
 any enemies, as if it were I myself that 
 caused them to flee : when, alas! I am but 
 a poor infant, upheld by Jesus Christ; who 
 holds me up, and gives me liberty to smile 
 to see my enemies flee, when he drives 
 them before me; and so I laugh, as though 
 I myself did' it, when it is only Jesus 
 Christ leads me along, and flghts himself 
 against my enemies. And now the Lord 
 has a little left me, how weak do" I find 
 myself! O, let it teach me to depend less 
 on niiysel^ to be more humble, and to give 
 more of the praise of my ability to Jesus 
 Christ. The heart of man is deceitful 
 above all things, and desperately wickedj 
 who can know it? ; 
 
 Saturday, Feb. 16. — I do certainly know 
 th^t I love hphness, such as the gospel 
 requires. — At night. I have been negli-, 
 
 c 
 
&6 THE LIFE OF 
 
 gent' fob the month past in , these thre6 
 thixigs: I have not been- watchful enough 
 over ;niy appetite in eating and drinking; 
 in rising too late; and in not applying my-i 
 self enough to the duty of secret prayer, v 
 
 Sabbath-day, Feb. 17, near sun-set.-^Rei 
 newediy promised, that I will accept of 
 God, for my whole portion ; and that J 
 will be contented, whatever else I am de- 
 nied. 1 1 will not murmur nor be griev^ 
 whatever prosperity, upqn any account^ I 
 see others enjoy, and I am denied. 
 
 Saturday, March 2. — ^O, how much plea* 
 ganter is humility than pride ! O, that Grod 
 would 'fill me with exceeding great hu- 
 mility, and that he wottld evermore ke^p; 
 me ftsm all pride ! The pleasures of hu- 
 mility are really the most refined, inwa|# 
 and exquisite delights in the world. How* 
 hateful is a proud man! How hateful is 
 a worm that lifts up itself with pride F 
 What a foolish, silly, miserable, blind, de- 
 ceived, poor worm am I, when pride 
 works! 
 
 Wednesday, March 6, near sun-set.^-f ellf 
 the doctrines of election, free-graccj and of 
 
PRESIDENT EIDWARDS. 27 
 
 our not being able to do aay thiiig with- 
 out the grace of God; ajid that hohness is 
 entirely, throughout, the work of God's 
 Spirit, with more pleasure than before. 
 
 Monday morning, April 1. — I think it 
 best not to allow myself to laugh at the 
 faults, follies, and infirmities of others. 
 
 Saturday night, April 6.— This week I 
 found myself so far gone, that jt seemed to 
 me, that I should never recover morp,, Let 
 God of his mercy return linto me, and no 
 more leave me thus to sink and decay ! I 
 know, O Lord, that without thy help, I 
 shall fall innumerable times, notwithstand- 
 ing all my resolutions, how often so ever 
 repeated. 
 
 Saturday night, April 13. — I could pray 
 more heartily this night, for the forgive- 
 ness of niy enemies, than ever before. 
 
 Wednesday, May ], forenoon. — Last 
 night I came home, after my melancholy 
 parting from New York. I have always, 
 in every different state of Ijfe I have hitherto' 
 been in, thought the troubles and difBcuI- 
 ties of that state -to be greater than tho§c 
 of any other that I propoised to be in ; and 
 
£5 THE LIFE OF 
 
 when I have altered with assurance of 
 mending myself, • I have still thought the 
 same? yea, that the difficulties of that state 
 are greater than those of that I left last. 
 Lord, grant that from hence I may learn to 
 withdraw my thoughts, affections, desires, 
 and exjDcctations, entirely from the world, 
 and[ may fix them upon the: heavenly state ; 
 where there is fulness of joy; where reigns 
 heavenly, sweet, calm, and delightful lovers 
 without alloy; where there are continuallj/s 
 the (dearest expressions of this love; wheiife 
 there is the enjoymentof the persons loved, 
 without ever parting; .where those persons, 
 who appear so lovely in this world, will 
 really be inexpressibly more lovely, and 
 full of love to us. How sweetly will the 
 mutual lovers join togetha* to sing the; 
 praises of God and the Lamb ! How will- 
 it fill us with joy to think, this enjoyment, 
 these sweet exercises, will never comie to 
 an end, but will last to eternity. Remem^ 
 l?er, after journies, removes, oyerturnings, 
 and^alterations in the state of my Ufe, to 
 consider, whether therein I have managed 
 the best way possible, respecting my soul; 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 29 
 
 and before such alterations, if foreseen, to 
 resolve how to act. 
 
 Thursday, May 2. — I think it a very 
 good way to examine' dreams every morn-- 
 ing when I awake; what are the nature', 
 circumstances, principles, and ends of my 
 imaginary actions and-passions.in th«m, to 
 discern what are my chief inclinations, &c. 
 
 Saturday night, May 4.— 'Although I 
 have in some measure subdued a disposition 
 to chide and fret, yet I find a certain in- 
 Glination which is not agreeable to chris- 
 tian sweetness of temper and conversation: 
 — Too dogmatical, too much of egotism ; 
 a disposition to be telling of my own dis- 
 like and' scorn ; and freedom from those 
 things- that are innocent, or the common 
 infirmities of men; and many such like 
 things. ' O that God would help me to dis- 
 cern all the flaws and defects of my temper 
 and conversation, and help me in the difli- 
 cult work of amending them ; and that lie 
 would fill me so full of Christianity, that 
 the foundation of all these disagreeable 
 irregularities may be destroyed, and the 
 contrary beauties may follow. 
 
(SO THE LIFE OF 
 
 , SabbatK-![iay, May 5, in the morning.-^ 
 This day made the 47th Resolution. 
 
 Sabbath-day, May 12.^ — I think I feel 
 glad from the hope that my eternity is to 
 be spent in spiritual and holy joys, arising 
 from the nianifestation of God's lov^e, and 
 the exercise 'of holiness and a burning love 
 to him, ^ ' i) 
 
 Saturday night, May 18., — I now plainly 
 perceive what great obligations I am undaf 
 to love and honour my parents. I have 
 great reason to believe, that their counsel 
 and education have been of great use 1b 
 me; notwithstanding, at the time, it seemed 
 to do me so little good. I have good reasoB 
 to hope that their prayers for me haw 
 been, in many things, very powerful and 
 prevalent; that God has, in many thingSj 
 taken me under his care and guidanoii^ 
 provision and direction, in answer to theit 
 prayers. I was never made so sensible of 
 it as now. 
 
 Wednesday, May 22, in the morning.-^ 
 J^evwrnndum. To take special care of these 
 following things: evil speaking, fretting; 
 eating, drinking, and sleeping, speakiiig 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. Si 
 
 simple verity, joining ini prayer, sligbtness 
 in secret prayer, listlessness' and ncgligencei 
 and thoughts that cherish sin. 
 
 Saturday, May 25, in the moming.-^As 
 I was this morning reading the 17th Reso- 
 lution, it was -suggesteid to me, that if I was 
 now to die, I should wish that I had prayed 
 more that God would make me know my 
 «tate, whether it be good or bad; and that 
 I. bad taken more pains to see, and narrowly 
 search into this matter. Wherefore, Mem. 
 For the future, most nicely and diligently 
 to look into our old Diviiies concerning 
 coiiversiion. Made the 48th Resolution. ■ 
 
 Friday, June l,afteriaoon. — I have abund- 
 ant cause, O merciful Father, to love thee 
 ardently, and greatly to bless and praise 
 thee, that thou hast heard me in my earnest 
 request, and hast so answered my prayer 
 for mercy to keep from decay and sinking; 
 
 0, graciously, of thy mere goodness, con- 
 tinue to pity my misery, by reason of my 
 sinfulness, O, my dear Redeemer, I com- 
 mit myself, together with my prayer and 
 thanksgiving, into thine hand. 
 
 1. Monday, July 1. — Again -eoafirmed by 
 
32 THE LIFE OF 
 
 experience of the happy effects of strict 
 temperance, with respect both to body and 
 mind. Resolved, for the future to observe 
 rather more of meekness, moderation, and 
 temper in disputes. 
 
 . Thursday, July 18, near sun-set. -r- Re- 
 solved to endeavour to .make sure of that 
 sign the apostle James gives of a perfect 
 man, Jam. iii. 2. If any man offend not in 
 word, the same is a perfect man, and able 
 also, to bridle, the wfutie body. 
 
 Monday, July 22. — I see there is dangi^ 
 of my .-being' drawn into transgression by 
 a fear of seeming uncivil, and of o£fendiii£^ 
 friends. Watch against it. 
 
 Tuesday, July 23.— — When I find those 
 groanings which cannot be uttered, that 
 the Apostle speaks of; and those soul- 
 breakings for the longimg- it hath, which 
 the Psalmist speaks of, (Psal, cxix. 20.) let 
 ine humour and promote them to the ut- 
 most of my power, and be not weary of 
 earnestly endeavouring to vent my desires. 
 -Ttrl (Jesire to coqnt it all joy when I have 
 occasion of great self-denial, because then 
 I have a glorious opportunity of giving 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARD,?. 33' 
 
 deadly "wounds to the body ot sm^and' 
 greatly ''ciahfirmmg and establishing the 
 new nature; to seek to mortify sin, and in- 
 crease in holiness; these are the best op- 
 portunities (according to January 14,) to 
 improve afflictions of all kinds, as blessed 
 opportunities Of forcibly bearing on in 1115^ 
 christian course, notwithstanding that which 
 is so very apt to discourage me, to damji 
 the vigour of my mind, and to make me 
 lifeless; also, as opportunities of trustiiig 
 and confiding in God, habitually, according 
 to the 57th Resolution; and of rending my 
 heart off from the world; and setting it 
 upoti heaven albne; to repent of, and be- 
 wail my sin, and abhor myself; and as a 
 blessed' opportunity to exercise patience, 
 to triist in God, and divert my mind frOm 
 the affliction, by fixing myself in religious 
 exercises. Also, let me comfort myself, 
 that it is tlie very- nature of afflictions to 
 make tTie heart better; and if I am made 
 better bj' them, what need I be concerned, 
 however grievous they seem for the pre- 
 sent? 
 
 Friday, /uly 26. — To be particularly 
 c'5 
 
34 THE LIFE OF 
 
 eare:^! to keep up an inviolable trust and, 
 -reliance, ease and entire rest in God, in all. 
 conditions, according to the 57th Reso- 
 lution; for this I have found to be wonder 
 fujly advantageous. 
 
 Monday, July 29. — When I am con^ 
 cerned how I shall perform any thing tOs 
 public acceptance, to be very ca.reful that^. 
 I do what is duty and prudence in the. 
 matter. 
 
 Wednesday, July 3 1 , — Never in the least 
 
 to seek to hear sarca&tic,al relatiop.s . of 
 othef's faults. Never to give credit to any 
 thing said against others, except there is 
 very plain reason for it; nor to behave in 
 any respect otherwise for it. 
 
 Wednesday, August 7< — ^To esteem it an 
 advantage that the duties of religion are 
 difficult, and that many difficiilties,^ arf 
 sometimes to be gone through in the way, 
 of duty. Religion is the sweeter, and what 
 is' gained by labour is abundantly more 
 precious; as a woman loves her child the 
 better for having brought it. forth with 
 travail. And even as to Christ Jesus him- 
 self in his mediatorial glory, (including his 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 35 
 
 victory and triumph, and the kiogdoih 
 which he has obtained,)- how much, la^iore 
 glorious, how much more ,eKcellenl; aad 
 precious, for his having wrought it idivt 
 i)y- such agonies ! > ,-fj: 
 
 Friday, August 9- — One thing that may 
 he a good help towards thinkiingrpiiifitdbply 
 in -time of vacation or leisure is, that when 
 I light on a profitable thought, I can fix 
 my mind in order to follow it, as far as 
 possible, to advantage. 
 
 Sabbath-day, after meeting, August 11.-— 
 Besolved always to, do that which- 1 shall 
 wish' I had done, when I see others do it. 
 As for instance, sometimes I argue ynth 
 myself, that such an . act ; of good nature, 
 kindness, forbearance, or . forgiveness, &c. 
 is not my duty, because it will have such 
 and such consequences ; yet, when I see 
 others do it, then it appears amiable iame, 
 and I wish I had done it; and I see that 
 none of these feared .inconveniences do 
 follow. ; ' J- 
 
 Tuesday, August 13. — I find it wolild 
 be very much to- my advantage ;to be 
 thoroughly acquainted .with the iscriptures. 
 
36 THE LIFE OF 
 
 When I anV reading doctrinal books, or 
 i>«%)^siof conti^versy, I can proceed with' 
 iabutftlaatly more confidence ; can see upoij 
 wfca« foundation I island. 
 
 Thursday, August 29.-i-The objection 
 my. corruptions make against doing what- 
 evet' my hand finds to do' with .my might 
 is, ithat it is a constant mortification. Let 
 thi&sobjection by no mesins ever prev'^il. 
 
 Monday, September 2.^ — ^There: is much 
 folly when I am quite sure I am in the 
 right, and others are positive ' in contra- 
 dieting me, in entering into a vehement 
 jrlong debate upon it. 
 
 Monday, September 23. — I observe " that 
 old men seldom have any advantage of 
 new discoveries ; because these are beside 
 'ju'i^ay of thinking they have been so long 
 used to. Resolved, if ever Hive to years, 
 that I will be impartial to hear the reasons 
 of all pretended disEdveries^ an<l. receive 
 them^ if rational, how)long so ever I have 
 been used to another way of thinking. 
 : Thursday, October 18.— To follaw the 
 example of Mr. B — ^, who, though he 
 meets with great difficulties, yet under- 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 37 
 
 takes them with a smiling countenance, as 
 though he thought them but httle; arid 
 speaks of them as if they were v<"iy 
 small. 
 
 - Thursday, November 26. — It is a most 
 evil and pernicious practice in meditating 
 on our afflictions, to mmiiiate on the ag-. - 
 gravations of the affliction, and reckon up 
 the evil circumstances thereof, dwelling 
 long on the dark side ; it doubles and 
 trebles the affliction. And so, when speak- 
 ing of them to others as bad as we can, 
 and use our eloquence to set forth oiir own 
 troubles ; we thus are all the while making 
 new trouble, and feeding the old I whereas 
 the contrary practice would starve our 
 afflictions. If we dwelt on the light side 
 of things in our thoughts, and exteiiuated 
 them all that possibly we could when 
 speaking of them, we should- then thitik 
 little of them ourselves; arid the affliction 
 would really, in a great measure, vanish 
 away. ~ , 
 
 Thursday night, December IS. — If at 
 
 .any time I am forced to tell persons i of 
 
 that wherein I think they are something 
 
38 THE LIFE OF ■ 
 
 to blame; for avoiding the important isvil 
 that would otherwise ensue, resolved not 
 to tell it them in such a manner, that there 
 shall be a probability of their taking it as 
 the effect of little, fretting, aiigry emotions 
 of mind. 
 
 December 31, at night. — Concluded 
 never to suffer nor express any angry 
 emotions of mind more or less, except the 
 honour of God calls for it, in zeal for him, 
 or to preserve myself €rom beinar trampled 
 on. 
 
 Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1724.-^Not to- spend 
 too much time ; in thinking even of im- 
 portant and necessary worldly business. To 
 allow every thing its proportion of thought, 
 according to its urgency and' importance. 
 
 Friday, Jan. 10. (After short-hand notes) 
 Remerrlber to act according to Prov; xii. 
 23, 'A prudent man cmcealeth knowledge. 
 
 Monday, Feb. 3. — Let every thing have 
 the value now, that it will have on a sick 
 bed; and frequently in my pursuits of 
 whatever kind, let this come into my mind ; 
 'tHow much shall I value this on my 
 deathbed?" 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 39 
 
 Wednesday, Feb. 5. — Have not in time 
 past, in my prayers, insisted enough: upon 
 glorifying God in tl^e world, and the ad- 
 vancement of the kingdom of Christ, the 
 prosperity of the church, and the good of 
 men. Determined that this objection is 
 without weight; viz. " That it is n,ot likely 
 that God will m^ake; great alterations in the 
 Avhole world, and overturnings in kingdoms 
 and nations, only for the prayers of one 
 obscure person,' seeing such things ;^ise4 to 
 be done in answer to the united, earnest 
 prayers of the whole church; and • if my 
 prayers should have some influence, it 
 would be but imperceptible and $mall." 
 
 Thursday, Feb. 6. — More convinced than 
 ever of the usefulness of religious conver- 
 sation. I find by , conversing on natural 
 philosophy, I gain knowledge abundantly 
 ^stes, and sec the reasons of things much 
 clearer, than in private study. WhereforCj 
 -resolved earnesjtly to seek at all . tini^ for 
 religious conversation; and for those per- 
 sons that I can with profit, delight, and 
 freedom so converse with-i 
 
4b THE LliFE OF 
 
 ' Sabbatli-day, Feb. 23.-^If I act accord- 
 ing to my resoliition, I shall desire riches 
 no otherwise than as they are helpful to 
 religion; But this I detennine, as what is 
 really evident from many parts of scripture,, 
 that to fallen man they have a greater ten- 
 dency to huit reli^on. 
 
 Saturday; May 23.— How it comes aDout 
 I know not; but I have remarked it hitherto, 
 that at those times when I have read the 
 Scriptures most, I have evermore been most 
 lively, and in the best frame. 
 
 Saturday night, June 6,— This has beeft 
 a remarkable week with me, with respect 
 to despondencies,^ fears, peTplexities, mul- 
 titudes of cares and distraction of thought; 
 being the week I came hither (to New- 
 Haven) in order to entrance upon the 
 office of tutor of the college. I have now; 
 abundant reason to be convinced of the 
 troublesomeness and perpetual vexation, of 
 the world. 
 
 Tuesday, July 7.— When I am giving 
 the relation of a thing, let me abstain from 
 altering, either in the matter or manner of 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDiS. ^1 
 
 speaking, so much, as that if every one 
 afterward should alter as much, it would at 
 last come to Jbe properly false. 
 
 Tuesday, Sept. 2. — By a sparing diet, and 
 eating what is hght and easy of digestion^ 
 I shall doublless be aMe to think ihore 
 clearly J. and shall gain tiine, 1st, By length- 
 ening my life ; !2dly, Shall need less time 
 for digestion after meals; 3dly, Shall be 
 able to study closer without wrong to 
 my 'health; 4thly, Shall need less time to 
 sleep; 5thly, Shall mbre seldofti be trou- 
 bled with the head-achi 
 
 Sabbath-day, Nov. 22. — Considering that 
 by-standefs always espy soiiie faults which 
 we do not see, or at least are not so fully 
 sensible of ourselves; for there are many 
 secret workings of corruption which escape 
 our sight, and others only are sensible of; 
 resolved, therefore, that I will, if I can by 
 any convenient means, learn what faults 
 others find in me, or what things they see 
 in me that appear any way blame^worthy, 
 unlovely, or unbecoming. 
 
42 THE LIFE OF 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 Some Account of his Conversion, Experience,, and 
 Religious Exercises, written by himself. 
 
 The foregoing extracts were written by 
 Mr. Edwards when about twenty years, of 
 age, as appears by, the dates. The judiciouf 
 reader, therefore, keeping this in mind, will 
 ixiake proper allowance for some things 
 which inay appear like the productions of a 
 young christian, both as to the matter, and 
 the manner of expression. And indeedi 
 the whole being taken together, these ap- 
 parent blemishes have an important u^e; 
 For hereby all seems mofe natural aod 
 gepuine; while the strength of his r^solu-" 
 tion, the fervour of his miad, and a^killin 
 discriminating divine things, so ' seldoimi 
 found even to old: age, appear the more 
 striking. ; A picture of human nature in 
 its present state, though highly improved 
 by grace, cannot be a true resemblance of 
 the origirial, if it be drawn all light, and no 
 shades. In this view we shall be led to ad- 
 mire Mr. Edwards's conscientious strictness, 
 
PRESIBENT^ EDWARDS. 4S 
 
 liis diligence and zeal, his deep experience in 
 some particulars, and his accurate judgment 
 respecting <;he most important parts of true 
 religion, at so, early a.period of life. Here 
 we not only have the most' convincing evi- 
 dence of his sincerity in jieligion, and of 
 his engaging in a life devoted to God in 
 good earnest, so as to make it his one 
 great business; but learn also, through his 
 great attention to this matter, how in 
 Biany instances he acquired the judgment 
 and experience of grey hairs. 
 , Behold the commencement of a life so; 
 eminently holy and useful ! Behold the 
 viewsi the exercises, the resolutions of a 
 man who became one of the greatest di- 
 vines of his age; one who had the applause 
 and admiration of America, Britain, Hol- 
 land, and Germany, for his piety, judgment, 
 and great usefulness. Behold here an ex- 
 citement to the young, to devote themr-, 
 selves to God with great sincerity, and 
 enter on the work of strict religion without 
 delay; and more especially, those who are 
 looking forward towards the work of the 
 ministry. Behold then, ye students in 
 
44 THE LIFE OF 
 
 divinity, our future preachers and writersi, 
 the Tflost immediate a«d direct, yea the 
 Only way to answer the good ends which 
 you profess to seek. " Go, ye, and do 
 likewise." 
 
 It is to be lamented, that there is so 
 mu(ih ifeason to think, there are few iur 
 Stiances-of such early piety in our day. If 
 the protestant world abounded with young 
 persons of this stamp; young men, pre- 
 paring for the work of the ministry with' 
 such a tempeiv such exercises, and such re- 
 solutions, what a delightful prospect would 
 be^afforded of the near approach of happii^ 
 days, than tlie church of God has ever yet 
 seen ! What pleasing hopes, that the great 
 and merciful head of the church was about 
 to send forth labourers, faithful, successful" 
 labourers into his harvest; and- -bless hiet 
 people with " pastors which shall feed them 
 with knoi«^ledge. and understanding ! " 
 
 But if our youth neglect all proper im- 
 provement- of the mind; are fearful of se- 
 riousness and strict piety ; choose to live 
 at a distance from all appearance of it; and 
 are addicted to w«a:Mly {ileastlres; ^yhat a 
 
PKESIDENT EDWARDS. 45 
 
 gloomy prospect is. exhibited! If they 
 who enter upon the work of the ministry, 
 from a gay, carele?^, and what^ may justly 
 be called a vicious life, betake themselves 
 to a little superficial study of divinity, and 
 soon begin tp preach; while all the ex- 
 ternal seriousness and zeal they assume, is 
 only from worldly motives; they being 
 without any inward, experimental acquaint- 
 ance with divine things,- and even so much 
 a,s a,ny taste for- true theology; no wonder 
 if the - people perish far lack of spiritual 
 knowledge. ■ 
 
 Butj as the best Comment on the fore- 
 going-Resolutions and Diary; and that the 
 reader may have a more full and instructive 
 survey of Mr. Edwards's entrance on a reli- 
 gious ;life, and progress in it, as to the views 
 and exercises of his mind, a brief account 
 is here inserted, which was found among 
 his papers, in his own hand-writing; and 
 •^hich, it seenis, was written nearly twenty 
 years after, for hjs own private advantage. 
 
 " I had a variety of concerns ?and exer- 
 cises about my soul from my 'childhood; 
 but had two more remarkable seasons of 
 
46 *HE LIFE OF 
 
 awakening, before I met with that change 
 by' which I w^as brought io those hew dis- 
 positions, andlhat new sense of things, that' 
 I have since had. The first time was wheti 
 I was ai boy, some years before I went to 
 college, at a time of remarkable a\s^akeHting 
 in my father's congregation. I was then 
 very much affecSeii for many months, an^ 
 concerned about the things of religion, and 
 my soul's salvation; and was abundant in 
 duties. I used to pray five times a day in 
 secret, and to spend much time in religl^iw 
 talk with other boys ; and used to meet 
 with them to pray together. 1 experienced 
 I know not what kind of delight in re- 
 ligion. My mind "was much engaged in it, 
 and had much iself-righteous pleasure; and 
 it was my delight to abound in religiduSi 
 duties. I,jwith some of my school-mate* 
 joined together, and built a booth in a 
 s^wamp, in a very retired spot, for a place 
 of prayer. — And besides, I had particular 
 secret places of myi own in the woods,, 
 where I used to retire by myself; and was 
 from time to time mueh affected. My af- 
 fections seemed to be lively and easily' 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 47 
 
 moved, and I seemed to be in my element 
 when engaged in religious duties. And I 
 am ready to think, many are deceived with 
 such affections, and such a ikind of delight 
 as I then had in religion, and mistake it 
 for grace. j'jci. 
 
 V *' But in process of time, my convictions. 
 and affections wore off ^ and I entirely lost 
 alt those affections aoid delights, and left off 
 secret prayer,, at least as to any constant 
 performance of i;t; and returned like a dog 
 to bis vomit, and went on in the > ways of 
 sin. ' Indeod I was, at times, very kmeSisy, 
 especially towards the latter ^jiait of my 
 time at college; when it pissed 'Gocl to 
 seize me with a pleurisy; in wbich he. 
 brought me nigh to the grave, a>nd' shook 
 me over the pit of hell. And yetj it -was 
 not long after my recovery, before I fell 
 again into my old ways of sin. But Gfed 
 would not suffer me to go on with any 
 quietness; I had great and- violeijt inward 
 struggles, till, after many conflicts with 
 wicked inclinations, repeated resolutions, 
 a-tod bonds that I laid rifiysel^ uiider by a 
 kind' of vows to God, I was bro^ight wholly 
 
48 THE LIFE 09 
 
 to break off all former wicke:d ways, and all 
 wayjs of known outward sin • and to apply 
 myself to seek salvation, and practise'nlaBap 
 religious duties;; but without that -kind of 
 affection and delight.which I had forniir^ 
 experienced. My concern. now wrought 
 more by inward struggles and convicts, and 
 self-reflections. I niade seeking my salva- 
 tion the main business of my life. But yet, 
 it seems to me, I sought after a miserable 
 manner: which has made me sometimes 
 since to question, whether, ever it issued in 
 that which was saving; being ready to 
 doubt, whether such miserable seeking ever 
 succeeded.. I was. indeed brought to seek 
 salvation in a manner that. I never wa^ 
 before; I felt a spirit to part witK all 
 things in the world, for an interest in 
 Christ. My concern continued and pre- 
 vailed, -with many exercising thoughts and. 
 inward struggles; but yet it. never seemed 
 to be propej to express that concern bv the 
 name of terror. 
 
 " Frorn my childhood up, my mind had 
 been full of objections against the doctrine 
 of Qod's sovereignty, in choosing whom he 
 
PRESIDENT EDWA'ilDS. 49 
 
 would to eternal life, and rejecting whom 
 he pleased ; leaving them eternally to perish, 
 and be everlastingly tormented in hell. It 
 used to appear like a horrible doctrine to 
 ipe. But I remember the time very well, 
 when I seemed to be convinced, and fully 
 satisfied, as to this sovereignty of God, and 
 his justice in thus eternally disposing of 
 men, accoiding to his sovereign pleasure. 
 But I never could give an account how, 
 or by what means, I was thus convinced, 
 not in the least imagimng at the time, nor 
 a long time after, that there was any ex- 
 traordinary influence of God's Spirit in it; 
 but only that now I saw further, and my 
 reason apprebended the justice and reason- 
 siblefiess of it. However, ray mind rested 
 in it; and it put an end to all those cavils 
 and objections. And there has been a won-' 
 derful alteration in my mind, with respect 
 to the doctrine of God's sovereignty, from 
 that day to this; so that I scarce ever have 
 found so much as the rising of an objection 
 against it, in i the most absolute sense, iii 
 God i^hewing mercy to whom he will shew 
 inerCy, and hardening whom he will. God's 
 
so THE XIFE OF 
 
 .'absolute sovereignty and justice, with re- 
 spect to salvaition and damnation, is what 
 my mind seems to rest assured of, as much 
 as of any thing that I see with my eyes;: 
 at4east it is so at times. But I have often, 
 since that first conviction, had quite ano- 
 roer kind of sense of God's sovereignty 
 than I had then. I have often since had 
 not only a conviction, but a delightful con- 
 ■«ietion. The doctrine has very often ap- 
 peared exceedingly pieasant, bright, aitd 
 sfweet. Absolute sovereignty is whats I 
 love to ascribe to Gcai. But my first coin- 
 viction was hot so. 
 
 " The first instance that I remeinber of 
 that sort of inward, sweet delight in God 
 and divine things that I have Hved much 
 in since, was on reading those words, 1 TJmu 
 i. 17- N^ow unto the King eternal, immortaii 
 invisible, the ohly. wise God, be honour aM, 
 glory for ever and ever. Amen. As I readi 
 the words, there came inta my soul, an4 
 was as it were diffused' through it, a scnsei 
 of the glory of the Divine Being; anew: 
 
 : seiti'se, quite different from any thing I ever 
 experienced before. Never any wovds. of 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. '51 
 
 scripture seemed to me as these words did. 
 I thought with myself, how excellent a 
 Being that was, and how happy I should 
 be, if I might enjoy that God, and be 
 wrapt up to him iruheaven, E^nd be as it were 
 swailowed -up in him for ever! I kept 
 saying, and, as it were, singing over these 
 words of scripture to myself; and^went to 
 pray to God that I might .enjoy him, and 
 prayed in a manner quite, different, from 
 what I -used to do; with a new sort of 
 affection. But it neyer came into my 
 thought, that there was any thing spiritual, 
 or of a saving nature in this. 
 • " From about that time I begaii to have a 
 new kind of apprehensions and ideas of Christ, 
 and. the work of redemption, and the glo- 
 rious way of salvation by him. An inward 
 sweet sense of these things, at times, came 
 into my heart; and my soul _was led away 
 in pleasaiit views 'and contemplations of 
 them. And my mind was greatly engaged 
 to spend' my time in reading and medita- 
 ting on Christ, on the beauty and excel- 
 lency of his. person, and the lovely way of 
 salvatiofl by free grace in him. I found no 
 
53 THE LIFE OF 
 
 books so delightful to me as those that 
 treated of these subjects. Those words, 
 Cant. ii. 1. used to be abundantly with me, 
 / am the rose of Sharon, and, the lily of 
 the vallies. The words seemed to me, 
 sweetly to represent the loveliness and 
 beauty of Jesus Christ. The whole book 
 of Canticles used to be pleasant to me, and 
 I used to be much in reading it, about that 
 time; and found, from time to time, an 
 inward sweetness, that wotild carry ; nic 
 away in my contemplations. This I know 
 not how to express otherwise, than by a 
 calm, sweet abstraction of soul from all the 
 concerns" of this world; and sometimes a 
 kind of vision, or fixed ideas and imagina-' 
 tions, of being alone in the mountains,' or 
 some solitary wilderness, far from all man- 
 kind, sweetly conversing with Christ, and 
 wrapt and swallowed up in God. The sease, 
 I had of divine things, would often of a 
 sudden kindle up, as it were, a sweet burn- 
 ing in my heart; an ardour of soul, that J 
 know not how to express. 
 , "^ Not long after I first began to expe- 
 rience these things, I gave an account to 
 
PRESIDENT EDWAKDS. 
 
 my father of some things that had p^ 
 in my mind. I was pretty much affecitu. 
 by the discourse we had together ; and 
 when the discourse was ended, I walked 
 abroad alone, in a solitary place in, my fa- 
 ther's pasture, for contemplation. ' And as 
 I was walking there, and looking up on 
 the sky and . clouds, there came into my 
 mind so sweet a sense of the glorious ma- 
 jesty and grace of God, that I know not 
 |low to e;!cpress. — I seemed to see thein 
 both in a sweet conjunction;; jmajesty and 
 tneekhess joined together: it was a sweet, 
 and gentle, and holy majesty j and also a 
 majestic meekness; an awful sweetness; a 
 high, and great, and holy gentleness. , , 
 " After this my sense of divine things gi:^^ 
 dually increased, and became more and more 
 lively, and had more of tha,t inward sw:eet- 
 ness. The apearance of every, thing was 
 altered; there seemed to be, as it w^ere, a 
 calm, sweet cast, or appearance of divine 
 glory, in almost every things God's excel- 
 lency, his wisdom, hispu]ity,and love, sepmed 
 to appear in every thing; in the sun, moon, 
 andstars; intheclouds,.aiadbluesky; in the 
 
54 THE LIFE OF 
 
 grass, flowers, trees ; in the water, and all 
 nature; which used greatly to fix my mind. 
 1 often used to Siit and view the moon fon- 
 continuance; and in the day, spent much 
 time in viewiiiig the clouds ^d sky, to be- 
 hold the sweet glory of God in these things: 
 in the mean time, singing forth, with a low 
 voice, my contemplations of the Creator 
 and Redeemer. And scarce any thing 
 among all the works of nature, was so sweet 
 to me as thunder and lightning; formerly, 
 Bathiog had been so terrible to me.^ Be- 
 forfe, I used to be uncommonly terrified 
 with thunder, and to be struck with terror 
 when I saw a thunder-storm rising; but 
 now, on tlie contrary, it rejoiced me. I 
 felt God, so to speak, at the first appear- 
 ance of a thunder-storaa ; and used to take 
 the opportunity, at such times, to fix myself 
 in order to view the clouds, and see the 
 lightnings play^ and hear the majestic and 
 awful voice of God's thunder, which often- 
 times was exceedingly entertaining, lead- 
 ing me to' sweet contemplations of my 
 great and glorious God. While thus en- 
 i, it always seemed natural to me to 
 
PRESIDENT EDVARDS. S5 
 
 sing, Qr, chaunt forth my meditations ; . or, 
 to speak my thoughts in soUloquies with a 
 singing voice. 
 
 " I felt then great satisfaction, as to my 
 good state; but that did not content me. 
 I had vehement longings of soul after God 
 and Christ, and after more holiness, where- 
 with my heart seemed to be full and ready 
 to break ; which often brought to my mind 
 the words of the Psalmist, PsaL cxix. 28. 
 My soul breakethfor the longing it hath. 
 I often felt a mourning and lamenting in 
 my hearty that I, had not turned to God 
 sooner, that I might have had more time 
 to grow in grace. My mind was greatly 
 fixed on divine things; almost perpetually 
 in the contemplation of them. I spent 
 most of my time in thinking of divine 
 things, year after year; often walking alone 
 in the woods, and solitary places, for medi- 
 tation, soliloquy, and prayer, and converse 
 with God; and it was always my manner,, 
 at such times, to sing forth my eontempla- 
 tions, I was almost constantly in ejacu- 
 latory prayer, wherever I was. Prayer 
 seemed to be- natural to me, as. the breath 
 
66 THE 'LIFE OF 
 
 by which the inward burningSL of my heart 
 had vent. The delights whieh I now felt 
 in the things of rehgion, were of aii ex- 
 ceedingly different kind from those before- 
 mentioned, that I had when a boy; and 
 what I then had no more notion of, than 
 one born bUnd has of pleasant and beauti- 
 ful colours. They were of a more inward, 
 pure, soul-aSimating, and refreshing nature. 
 Those former delights never readied the 
 heart; and did not arise from any sight of 
 the divine excellency of ^the things of 
 God; or aiiy taste of liie soul-satisfying 
 and life-giving good there is in. them. 
 
 " My sense of divine things seemed gra.- 
 dually to increase, till I went to preach at 
 New York, which was about a year, and, a 
 half after they began ; . and while I was 
 ihere, I felt them, very sensibly, in a much 
 liigher degree than I had done, , before. 
 My longings after God and holiness were 
 much increased. Pure and humble, holy 
 and heavenly Christianity, appeared ex- 
 •ceedingly amiable to me. I felt a burniiig 
 desire to be in every thing a complete 
 christian, and confer iijed to the blessed 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS, 57 
 
 image of Christ; and that I might live, in 
 all things, according to the pure,- sweet,, 
 and blessed rules of the gospel. I had an 
 eager thirsting after progress in these 
 things ; which put me upon pursuing and 
 pressing after them. It was my continual 
 strife day and night, and constant inquiry; 
 how I should be mo're holy, and live more 
 h.OiUly„ and more becoming a child of God, 
 and a disciple of Christ. I now sought aa 
 increase of grace and holiness, and. a holy 
 life, with much more earnestness than ever 
 I sought grace before I had it. I used to 
 be continually examining myselfj, and 
 studying and, contriving for likely ways 
 and means how I should live holily^ with 
 far greatcT diligence and . earnestness than 
 ever I pursued any thing in my life ; but 
 y.et with too great a dependence on my 
 own strength, which afterwards proved a, 
 great damage to me. My experience had 
 not then taught ine, as it has done since, 
 my extreme feebleness and impotence, 
 every maimer of way; and the bottoijiless 
 depths of secret corruption and deceit there 
 were in my heart. However, I went on 
 
 d5 
 
5S THE LIFE OF 
 
 •with ray eager pursuit after more holiness 
 ^d conformity to Gliri»t. 
 
 " The heayenl desired was a heaven of 
 holiness; to be with God, and to spend my 
 eternity in divine love, and holy commu-i 
 »ion with Christ. My mind whs very much 
 taken up with contempliltions on heaved, 
 and the enjoyments there'; and living there 
 in perfect holiness, humility, and love ; and 
 k used at that time to appear a great part 
 of the happiness of heaven, that there the 
 saints could express their love to Christ/ It 
 appeared to me a gVeat clog and burden, 
 that what I felt within, I could not exprdSs 
 as I desired. The inward ardour, of my 
 soul seemed to be hindered and pent up, 
 knd could not freely flame out as it would. 
 I used often to think, how in heaven this 
 principle should freely and fully vent and 
 express itself. Heaven appeared exceed- 
 ingly delightful, as a world of love ; and that 
 ati happiness consisted in living in pure, 
 humble, heavenly, divine love. 
 
 " I remember the thoughts I used then 
 to have of holiness ; and said sometimes to 
 a^sclf, * I do certainly know that I love 
 
PRESIDENT .EDWARDS. 5St 
 
 holiness, such as the gospel prescribes,' It 
 appeared to me, that therie was nothing in 
 it but what was ravishingly lovely ; thq 
 highest beauty and amiableness — a dipine 
 beauty; ifar purer than any thing here 
 upon earth; and .tha,t every thing else 
 was like mire and deiSlernent in coipparison 
 of it. * . 
 
 " Holiness, as I theii wrote down some 
 ef my contemplations on it, appeared to 
 me to be of a sweet, pleasant, charming, 
 serene, calm nature ; which, brought an in- 
 expressible purity, brightness, peacefulness 
 and ravishment to the soul. In other words, 
 that it made the soul like a field or garden 
 of God, wrthall manner of pleasant flowers; 
 all pleasant, delightful, and undisturbed; 
 enjoying a swept calm, and the gently vivi- 
 fying beams of the sun. - The soul of a 
 true christian, as I then wrote my, meditar 
 tions, appear^ like such a little White 
 flower as we see in the spring of the year^ 
 low and humble on the ground, opening its 
 bosom, tp receive the pleasant beams of the 
 Sun's glory; rejoicing, as it were, in a calm 
 rapture ; diffusing around a sweet fragrancy-;; 
 
60 TflE LIFE OP 
 
 standing peacefully and lovingly, in the 
 midst of other flowers round about ; all in 
 like manner opening their hosoms, to drink 
 in the light of the suii. There was no 
 part of creature-holiness, that I had so 
 great a sense of its loveliness, as humility, 
 brokenness of heart, and poverty of spirit j 
 and there was nothing that I so eamestlpi 
 longed for. My "heart panted after this,~ 
 to lie low before God, as in the dust ; that 
 I might be nothing, and that God might 
 be ALL, that I might become as a little, 
 child. 
 
 " While at New York, I sometimes was 
 much affected with reflections on my past 
 life, considering how late it was before I 
 began to be truly religious; and= how 
 wickedly 1 had lived till then : and once 
 so as to weep' abundantly, and for a consi^ 
 derable time together. 
 
 "On January 13, 1723, I made a solemn 
 dedication of myself to God, and wrote it 
 down; giving up myself, and all that I had, 
 to God ; to be for the future in no respect 
 tny own ; to act as one that had no right 
 toliimself, in any respect. And I solemn^ 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 61 
 
 vowed to take God for .my whole portion 
 and felicity ; lodking on nothing else . as 
 any part of my happiness, nor gating as if 
 it were ; and his law for the constant rule 
 of my obedience: engaging to fight with 
 all my raight,~ against the world, the flesh, 
 and the devil, to the end of my life. But I 
 have reason to be infinitely humbled, when 
 I consider, how much I. have failed of 
 answering my obligation. 
 
 " I had then abundance of sweet reli'- 
 gious conversation in the family where I 
 lived, with Mr. John Smith and his pious 
 mother. My heart was knit in aifection to 
 those in whom were appearances of true 
 piety ; and. I could bear tlie thoughts of no 
 other companions, but such as were holy, 
 and the disciples of the blessed Jesus. I 
 had great longings for the advancement of 
 Christ's kingdom in the world ; and my 
 secret prayer used to be, in great part, 
 taken up in praying for it. If X heard the 
 least hint of any thijig that happened, in 
 any part of the world, that appeared, in 
 some respect or other, to have a favourable 
 aspect on the interest of Christ's kingdom, 
 
62 THE LIFE OF .'«! 
 
 my soul eagerly catehed at it; and it would;, 
 much animate and refresh me...j I used ta 
 be eager to read public news-letters, mainly 
 for that end ;. to see if I could not find 
 SGtele news favourable to the interest of 
 religion in the world. ':^i- 
 
 " I very frequently used -to retire into a 
 solitary, place, on the banks' of Hudson's ' 
 River, at some distance frofn thescityi for 
 contemplation on divine things, and secret- 
 converse with God; and. had many sweet 
 hours there. Sometimes Mr, Smith and I 
 Walked. there- together, to converse on the 
 things of God ;' and our convei'sation used 
 to turn much on the advancement of Christ's 
 kingdom in the world, and the- glorious 
 things that God would accomplish for his 
 church in the latter days. I had then, and 
 at other times, the greatest delight in the' 
 holy scriptures, of any book whatsoevi^. 
 Oftentimes in reading it, every word seemed 
 to touch my heart. I felt a harmony be- 
 tween something in my heart, and those 
 sweet and powerful words. 'I seemed often 
 to see so much light exhibited by every 
 sentence, and such a refreshing food com- 
 
PRESIDEKT EDWAEDS. 63 
 
 municated, that I could not get along in 
 readings often dwelling long on one sen^ 
 tence, to see the wonders contained in it ; 
 and yet almost every sentence seemed to 
 be full of wonderis. 
 
 " I came away from New York in the 
 month of April, 1733, and had a most bitter 
 parting with Madam Smith and her son. My 
 heart seftmed to sink within me at leaving 
 the family and city, where I had enjoyed 
 s6 many sweet and pleasant days. I went 
 from New York to Weathersfield, by. water; 
 and as I sailed away, I kept sight of the 
 city as long as I could. However, that 
 night after this sorrowful parting, I was 
 greatly comforted in God at Westchester,^ 
 where we Weiit ashore to lodge ; and had a 
 pleasant time of it all the voyage to Say- 
 brook. It was sweet to me to think of 
 meeting dear christians in heaven, where, 
 we should never part more. At Saybrook 
 we went ashore to lodge oil Saturday, and 
 there kept the Sabbath ; where I had a 
 sweet and refreshing season, walking alone 
 in the fields. 
 
64 THE LIFE or 
 
 , " After I came home to Windsor, I 
 remained much in a like franie of mind,, as 
 
 when at New York; only soipetimes I felt 
 my heart ready to sink with the thoughts 
 of*my friends at New York. My support 
 was in epnte«ipktix)!ns on the, heavenly 
 state ; as I fijad in my. Diary of May 1, 1 723.. 
 It was a comfort to think of that state,, 
 where there is fulness of joy ; where reigns- 
 heavenly, calni, and delightful love,' without 
 alloy; where fliere are continually the 
 dearest expressions of this love; where. 
 is the enjoyment of the persons loved, with- 
 out ever parting ; where those persons who. 
 appear so lovely in this- world, will really 
 be inexpressibly moEe lovely, and full of 
 love to us. And how sweetly will the. 
 mutual lovers join together to sing the 
 praises of God and the Lamb! How will' 
 it fill us with joy to, think, that this enjoy- 
 ment, these sweet ex.ercises, will never 
 cease, but will last to all eternity !— I conr 
 tinued ipujih in the same fiame, in. the . 
 general, as when at New York, till I went, 
 to Newhaven as tutor of the college ; par- 
 
PRESIDENT EDWiARDS. 63 
 
 ticularly oace at Bolton, on a journey from 
 Boston, while walking out alone in the 
 fields. Aftei: I went to Newhayen I sunk 
 in religion!; my mind being diverted from 
 my eager pursuits after holiness, by some 
 affairs that greatly perplexed and distracted 
 ,my, thoughts. 
 
 ,". In September, 17^5, I was taken ill 
 at Newhaven, and \yhile endeavouring to 
 go home to \^indsqr, w^s so ill at the 
 ^orth V^^llage, that I could go no further ; 
 where I lay sici^ ;:ft)r about a quarter of a 
 year. In this sickness Qpd was pleased to 
 visit me again with the sweet influences of 
 his Spirit. My mind yas greatly engaged 
 there on divine, pleasant contemplations, 
 and longings of soul. I observed that 
 those who watched with, me, would ojften 
 be looking out wishfully for t\ie iporning j 
 which brought to my mind those words of 
 the Psalmist, and which my soul with de- 
 light i made its awn language, My soul 
 waiteth for the Lord, more ih.a^ they that 
 xvatchjor t1f,e morning, I, say, more than they 
 that xvatch for the morning ; and when the 
 light of day came in at ,the windows it 
 
66 tAe life of' 
 
 refreslied my soul from one morning to 
 another?"' It seemed to be some image of 
 the light of God's glory. 
 
 " I remember, about that time, I used 
 greatly to long for the conversion of some 
 that I was concerned with; I could gladly 
 honour them, and with delight be a serva:nttb 
 them, and lie at their feet, if they were but 
 truly holy. But, some time after this, I 
 was again greatly diverted in my mind 
 with some temporal concerns that exce^ 
 ihgly took up my thoughts, greatly to the 
 wounding of 'iny- soul; and w«nt on 
 through various exercises, that it would be 
 tedious to relate, Vhich gave me much 
 more experience of m^'own heart than ever 
 I had before. 
 
 " Since I came to this toWn,*. I have 
 often had "sweet complacency in God, in 
 View^ of his glorious perfections, and the 
 jBxcellericy of Jesus Chri'st; God hffs ap- 
 peared to me a glorious^ and lovely bdnff, 
 chiefly oh thfe account of his hoKheSs. The 
 holiuess of" God has al^ay^s appeared to 
 
 I^OrtllamploM 
 
PRESIDENT EDITAKDS. 67 
 
 mc the most lovely of all his attributes. 
 The docti-ines of God's absolute sovereignty, 
 and free grace, in shewing mercy to whom 
 he would shew mercy; and man's absolute 
 dependence on the operations of God's 
 Holy Spirit, have very often appeared to 
 me as sweet and glorious doctrines. These 
 doctrines have been much my delight. 
 God's sovearei^ty has ever appeared to me 
 great part of his glory. ~It has often been 
 my delight to approach God, and adore 
 him as a sovereign God, and ask sovereign 
 mercy of hirar 
 
 '"I have loved thc' ' doctrines of the 
 gospel; they have been to my soul like 
 green pastures. The gospel has iseemed to 
 me the richest treasure; the treasure that 
 I have most desired, and longed that it 
 might dwell richly in me^ The w^y of 
 salvation by Christ has appeared, in a ge- 
 neral way, glorious and excellent, most 
 pleasant and most beautiful. It has often 
 seemed to me, that it would, in a -great 
 measure, spoil heaven, t<> receive it in any 
 other way. That text has often been 
 affecting and delightful to me, Isa. xxxii. S. 
 
68 THE LIFE OF 
 
 A man shall be as an hiding, place from the 
 wind, andacmertfrom the tempest; as rivers 
 of water, in, a dry place ; as the shadow of a 
 great rock in a weary land. 
 . "It has often appeared to me delightful, 
 to be united to Christ; to have him for 
 my head, and to be a member of his body; 
 also to have Christ for my teacher and 
 prophet. I very often think with sweet- 
 ness, and longings, and pantings of sou^ 
 ef being a Kjttle cliild, takingAold of Christ, 
 to be led by him through the wilderness of 
 this worlds That text, Matt, xviii. 3. has 
 often been sweet to me, Except ye be con- 
 verted, and become as little children, ye shall 
 not enter ^ into the kingdom of heaven. I 
 love to think of coming to Christ, to receive 
 salvation of him, poor in spirit, and quite 
 empty of self, humbly ex;^lting him alone; 
 cut off entirely from my own root, in order 
 to grow into, and . out of Christ : to have 
 God in Christ to be all in all; and to live 
 by faith on the Son of God, a life of 
 humble, Mnfeigned confidence in hm • That 
 gcripture has .j often been sweet td me, 
 Psal. cxv. 1. Not unto us, O Lm% not unto 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 69 
 
 US, but unto thy name give ^lory, for, thy 
 mercy, and for thy truth's sake. And those 
 words of Christ, Luke, x. 21. In that 
 hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I 
 thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and 
 earth, that thou hast hid these things from 
 the wise and prudent, and hast revealed f hem 
 unto bales : even so. Father, for so it seemed 
 good in thy sight: That sovereignty of God 
 which Christ rejoiced in, seemed to me 
 worthy of such joy; and that rejoicing- 
 seemed to shew the excellency of Christ, 
 and of what spirit he was. Ji- 
 
 " Sometimes, only mentioning a single 
 word eaused my heart to burn within me ; 
 or only seeing the name of Christ, or the 
 name of some attribute of God. And God 
 has appeared glorious to me, on account of 
 the Trinity. It Has made me have exalting 
 thoughts of God, that he subsists in three 
 persons; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.- 
 The sweetest joys "and delights I have ex- 
 perienced, have not been those that have 
 ?irisen from a hope of my own good estate, 
 but in a direct view of the glorious things 
 of the gospel. When I enjoy this st^•eet- 
 
70 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Bess, it seems to earry me above the 
 thoughts of my own. estate ; it' seems at 
 such titaes a lo§s that X canniot bear, to 
 take off my eye ftom the glorious, pleasant 
 object I biehold without me, to turn my 
 eye in upQn- myseli^ and my G?wn g&mk 
 estate. , '» 
 
 " My heart has been much on the ad- 
 vancement of Christ's kingdom' in the 
 ■\yorld. The histoiries of the past advance- 
 ment of Christ's kingdom have been sweet 
 to me. When Ihave read histories of past 
 ages, the pleasantesfc thing in all my read- 
 ing has, beefi, to read of the kingdom of 
 Christ being promoted. And when I have 
 expected, in my reading, to come to any 
 such thing, .1 have rejoiced in the prospect, 
 all the way as I reaidi And rniy mind, has 
 been much entertained and delighted with 
 the scripture promises .and prophecies, 
 which relate to the future glorious ajdvance- 
 ment of Christ's kingdom upon earth. 
 
 " I have sometimes had a sense of the 
 ejtcellent fulness of Christ, and his meet- 
 ness and,suitableness as a Saviour ; whereby 
 he has appe^ed to me^ far above all, the 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 71 
 
 chief of ten thousands. His blood and 
 atonement have appeared sweet, iand his 
 .righteousness sweet; which was alway* 
 accompanied with ardency of spirit; and 
 inward stragglings and breathings, and 
 groanings that canmctt. he uttered, to be 
 emptied of myself, and swallowed up' in 
 Christ. .' I : 
 
 " Once, as I rode tout. into the woods 
 for my health, in 1737, having alighted 
 from my horse im: a retired place, as my 
 manner commonly has been, to walk for 
 divine contemplation and prayer, 1 1 had a 
 view, that for me was extraordinary, of the 
 glojy of the Son of God, as Mediator be- 
 t^i'^een God and man, and -has Avonderful, 
 great, full, pure and sweet graces and love, 
 and meek and gentle condescension. This 
 grace that appeared so calm and sweet, 
 appeared also great above the heavens. 
 The person of Christ appeared ineffably 
 excellent, with- an excellency great enougli 
 to swallow up all thougbt aad. conception 
 — which continuedy as near as I can judge, 
 about an hour ; which kept me, the greater 
 part eC the tifflej in a flood of tears, and 
 
72 THE LIFE OF 
 
 weeping aloud. I felt an ardency of soul 
 to be, what I know not otherwise how to 
 express, emptied and annihilated ; to lie in 
 the duist, and to be full of Christ alone; to 
 love him with a holy and pure love ; to 
 trust in him ; to live upon him ; to serve 
 and follow him ; and to be perfectly sanc- 
 tified and made pure, with a divine and? 
 heavenly purity. I have, several other 
 times, had views very much of the same 
 nature, and which t have had the same 
 effects. 
 
 " I have, mai^ times, had a sense of the 
 glory of the third person in ,the Trinity, in- 
 his office of Sanctifier; in his holy opera- 
 tions, communicating divine light and life 
 to the soul. God, in the communications 
 of Lis Holy Spirit, has appeared as an infi- 
 nite fountain of divine glory and sweejfo 
 ness; being full, and sufficient to fill and 
 satisfy the soul; pouring forth itself in. 
 sweet communications; like the sun in 
 its glory, sweetly and pleasantly diffusing* 
 light and life. And I have sometimes had 
 an affecting sense of the excellency of the 
 word of God, as a word of life ; as the 
 
fliESIDBNT EDWA.RDS. 73 
 
 light of life; a sweet, excellent, life-giving 
 word; accompanied 'with a thirsting after 
 that word,: that it might dwell richly in my 
 heart. 
 
 " Often, since I livfed in this town, I have 
 hlad very affecting views of my own sinful- 
 ness and vileness ; very frequently to such 
 a degree as to hold me in a kind of loud 
 weeping, sometimes for a cousideraWe time 
 together; so that I have often been forced 
 to shut myself up. I have had a vastly 
 gneater sense of my own wickedness, and 
 the badness of my heart, than ever I had' 
 before my conversion.* It, has often ap- 
 
 Mr. Edwards does not siV, M>at lie had more wicked- 
 mss, and badness of heart, after his conversion, than he 
 had before ; but that he had a greater sense thereof. Thus 
 a blind man may have his garden full of noxious weeds, and 
 yet not see or be sensible of them. But should the garden 
 be in great part cleared of these, and furnished with many 
 beautiful and salutary plsuits ; and supposing the owner 
 now to have the power of discriminating objects_of sight ; 
 in this case, he wquld have less, but Would sie, and have a 
 tense of more. And thus it was that St. Paul, though 
 greatly freed from siijj.yet saw and felt himself as " the 
 chief of sinners." To wMch may be added, that the better 
 the organ, and the clearer the light may be, the stronger 
 will be the sense excited by sin or holiness. 
 
 £ 
 
74 THE LIFE Of 
 
 peared to nie, that if Grod should mark 
 iniquity against mie, I should appear the 
 very worst of all mankind ; -of all that have 
 been, since the beginning of the world to 
 this time : and that I should have by far 
 the lowest place in hell. When others, that 
 have come to talk with me about their soul- 
 toncems, have expressed the sense they 
 have had of their own wickedness, by say- 
 ing that it seemed to them, that they were 
 as bad as the devil himself, I thought their 
 expressions seemed exceedingly faint and 
 feei)le, to represent my wickedness. 
 
 " My wickedness, as I am in myselfj has 
 long appeared to me perfectly ineffable, and 
 s\yallowihg up all thought and imagination; 
 like an infinite deluge, or mountains over 
 Hiy head. I know not how to express 
 better what my sins appear to me to be, 
 than by heaping infinite upon infinite, and 
 multiplying infinite by infinite. Very often, 
 for these many years, these expressions are 
 in my mind, and in my mouth, ' Infinite 
 upon infinite— Infinite upon infinite.''-^ 
 When I look into my heart, and take a v'le'^ 
 of my wickedness, it looks Uke an abyss 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 75 
 
 infinitely deeper tton hell. And itappeara 
 to me, that were it not for free grace, ex- 
 alted and raised up to the infinite height 
 of all the fulness and glory of the great 
 Jehovah, and the arm of his power and 
 grace stretched forth in all the majesty of 
 his power, and in all the glory of his so- 
 vereignty, I should appear sunk down in 
 my sins below hell itself; far beyond the 
 sight of every thing, but the eye of sove- 
 reign grace, that can pierce even down to 
 such a depth. And yet it seems to me, 
 that my conviction of sin is exceedingly 
 small, and faint ; it is enough to amaze me, 
 that I have no more sense of my sin. I 
 know certainly, that I have very little sense 
 of my sinfulness. When I have had turns 
 of weeping and cryingfor my sins, I thought 
 I knew at the time, that my repentance 
 was nothing to my sin. 
 
 " I have greiatly longed of late for a 
 broken heart, and to lie low before God ; 
 and, when I ask for humility, I cannot bear 
 the thoughts of being no more humble than 
 other christians. It seems to me, that 
 though their degrees of humility may be 
 
76 THE XIFE Of 
 
 suitable for them, yet it would be s 
 vile self-exaltation in me, not to •■ be the 
 lowest in fiumility of all mankind. Others^ 
 speak of ;their longing to be ' humbled to 
 the dust;' that may be a proper expression 
 for them, but I always think of myself, that 
 I ought (and it is an expression that has 
 long been inaturar for me to use in- prayer) 
 ' to lie infinitely low before God,' And' it 
 is aflfecting to think, how ignoratit I was^ 
 when a yoimg christian^, off the bottomless, 
 infinite depths :of wickedness, pride, hypo- 
 crisy, and deceit, left in my heart. 
 
 *' I have a much greater sense of my 
 universal, exceeding dependence on God's 
 grace and sti'ength, and mere good plea- 
 sure, of late, than I used formerly to have; 
 and have ex.perienced more of an abhor- 
 rence of my own righteousness. The very 
 thought of any joy arising in me, on any 
 consideration of ray own amiablenessj per- 
 formances, or experiences, or any goodness 
 of heart or life, is nauseous and detestable 
 to me. And yet I am greatly afilicted with 
 a proud and self-righteous spirit, much more 
 sensibly than I used to be formerly. I see , 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 11 
 
 » 
 
 that serpent rising and putting forth its 
 head continually, every where, all around' 
 me. 
 
 " Though it seems to me, that, in some 
 respects, I was a far better christian, for 
 two or three years after my first cdnversioni 
 than I am now; and lived in a more con- 
 stant delight and pleasure; yet, of late 
 years, I have had a more full and constant 
 sense of the absolute sovereignty of God, 
 and a delight in that sovereignty ; and have 
 had more of a sense of the glory of Christ, 
 as a mediator revealed in tjie gospel. On 
 one Saturday night^r in particular, I had 
 such a discovery of the exceUency of the 
 gospel above all other doctrines, that I 
 could not but say to myself ' This is my 
 chosen light, my chosen doctrine :' and of 
 Christ, 'This is my chosen Prophet.' It 
 appeared sweet, beyond all expression, to 
 follow Christ, and to be taughj:, and en- 
 lightened, and instructed by him; to learn 
 §fhim, and live to him.. Another Saturday 
 night, (Jan. 1739) I had such a sense, how 
 swqet and blessed a thing it was to walk in 
 the way of duty; to dp that which was right 
 
78 THE LIFE OF 
 
 and meet to be clone, and agreeable to the 
 holy mind of God; that it caused me to 
 break forth into a kind of loud Weeping, 
 which held me some time, so that I was 
 forced to shut myself up, and fasten the 
 doors. I could riot but, as it were, cry out 
 * How happy are they which do that which 
 is right in the sight of God! They are 
 blessed indeed, they are the happy ones!' I 
 had, at the same time, a very affecting sense, 
 how meet and suitable it was that God 
 should govern the world, and order all 
 things according to his own pleasure ; and I 
 rejoiced in it, that God reigned, and- that 
 his will was done." 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 His general Department, particularly while at 
 Northampton. 
 
 In the first chapter of these Memoirs, we 
 have seen that Mr. Edwards, having taken 
 his Master's degree, was very soon invited 
 to be tutor of the coHege where he received 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARBS. 79 
 
 his education, and which conferred upon 
 him that degree; a^lear indication .that the 
 managers had a hi^h opinion of his talents 
 and quaUfications, when only in the twenty- 
 first year of his age. It must be owned, 
 that this was an engagement of great con- 
 sequence for so young a man ; especially, 
 considering that no small portion of his 
 time had been devoted to ministerial occu" 
 pations,:and the requisite preparatory studies 
 which relate exclusively to that important 
 business. But the strength of his mind 
 overcame' difficulties, which to the gene- 
 rality of students appear insuperable. It 
 must be allowed, indeed, that Mr. Edwards 
 was not in what some call the highest class 
 of learned men; for his time, his means^ 
 and his duties, did not allow of such an at- 
 tainment. We should recollecti however, 
 what Mr. Locke somewhere very properly 
 observes, that though men- of much reading 
 " are greatly learned, yet they may be but 
 l\tt\& knowing ." In some situations and cir- 
 cumstances, he might have been a greafe 
 Knguist, a profound mathematician, a dis- 
 tinguished natural philosopjier; but, (with- 
 
8.0 THE -Life of 
 
 out any designed reflection on ,those who 
 excel in these or any other branches of 
 literature and science,) he was far more 
 happily employed, both' for himself and 
 others. In fact, he has given proofs of a 
 mind so uncommonly vigorous. and enlight- 
 ened, that it is rather a matter of joy it was 
 not engrossed by studies, which would have 
 rendered him only the admiration of a few, 
 but prevented him from producing those 
 works which are of universal importance, 
 and in. which he appears as the instructor 
 of alK He had", in short, thebest jand subr; 
 limest kind of knowledge, withput being 
 too riiuch encumbered with what was un- 
 necessary, or but little compatible witih his 
 calling. 
 
 We have also seen that Mr. Edwards re- 
 signed the oflSce of tutor at Yale College, 
 when he had been there, in that capacity, a 
 little more than two years, in consequence 
 of an invitation fi;om Northampton, in Mas- 
 gachusets, in ordey to assist his mother's 
 father, the aged and venerable Mr. Stod- 
 dard, — In the present chapter, we propose 
 to detail his general demeanour, more 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 81' 
 
 particularly while at this place; which^ in 
 connection with the uncommon revival of 
 religion there, of whicH he was the happy 
 and honoured instrument, is a very interest' 
 ing period of his life. " 
 
 He who enters into the true spirit of Mr. 
 Edwards's writings, and iespecially of the 
 ample extracts we have given from his pri- 
 vate papers, cannot question that he made 
 concience of private devotion; but as he 
 hiade a secret of such exercises, nothing 
 can be said of them but what his papers 
 discover, and what may be fairly inferred 
 from circumstances. It appears-, by his 
 Diary, that in his youth he determined to 
 practise secret prayer more than twice a 
 day, when circumstances would allow ; and 
 there is much evidence that he was fre- 
 quent and punctual in that duty, often 
 kept days of, fasting and prayeri, and s6t 
 apart portions of time for devout' medita-^ 
 tions on spiritual and eternal, things, as 
 part of his rehgious exercises in retire- 
 inent. 
 
 So far as it. can be knowli, he was much 
 on his knees in seci-et, and in devoutljj 
 
82 THE LlfE or 
 
 reading God's word, and meditation upon 
 it. And hiis constant solemn converse 
 with God in these exercises, made his face, 
 as it were, to shine before others. His 
 ippearance, his countenance, his words, 
 and whole demeanour, (though without 
 any thing of -affected grimace,, or sour 
 austerity,) were attended with a serious- 
 ness, gravity, and solemnity, which were 
 the genuine indications of a deep, abiding 
 sense of divifie 'things on his mind, and of 
 his' living constantly in the fear of God. 
 
 Agreeably to his resolutions, he was very 
 careful and abstemious in eating and drink- 
 ing; as doubtless was necessary for so great 
 a student, and a person of so delicate a make 
 as he was, in order to be comfortable and 
 useful. When he had, by carefiil dbserva- 
 laon, found what kind, and what quantity 
 of diet best" suited his constitution, and 
 rendered him most fit to pursue his work, 
 he was very strict and exact in complying 
 with it. In this respect he Ihed by rule; and 
 herein he constantly practised great self- 
 deinal ; which he also did in his constant 
 eariy risbg, in order to redeem time foi 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 83 
 
 ^tudy. He accustomed himself to rise at 
 four, or between four aiid five, in the 
 morning. 
 
 Though he was of a tender constitation* 
 yet few students are capable of a closer or 
 longer application, than he was. He com- 
 monly spent thirteen hours, every day, in 
 his jstudy. His usual recreation in summer, 
 was riding on horseback and walking. 
 He would commonly^ unless prevented by 
 company, ride two or three miles after 
 dinner to some lonely grove, were he would 
 tUsmount and walk a while. At^ .such 
 times he generally carried bis pen and 
 ink with him, to note any thought that 
 might be ^suggested, and which promised 
 some light on any important subject. In 
 the winter, he was wont, almost daily, 
 to' take an axe, and chop wood, mode- 
 rately, for the space of half an hour or 
 more. " ^ 
 
 He had an uncommon thirst for know- 
 ledge, in the pursuit of which he spared 
 no cost or pains. He read all the books^ 
 especially books of divinity, that he could 
 procure, from which he might lv>pe to de- 
 
84 THE LIFE OF 
 
 rive any aid in his pursuit of knowledge. 
 And in this he did not confine himself to 
 authors of any particular sect or denomi- 
 nation; but even took nmch pains to ob- 
 tain the works of the most noted writers- 
 who advanced a scheme of divinity most 
 opposite to his own principles^, But he 
 studied the bible more than all other-books, 
 and more than most other divines do. His 
 uncommon acquaintance with thp scriptures 
 appears in his sermons, and in most of- his 
 publications; and his great attention in 
 studying them is manifest in his manuscript 
 'notes upon therii ; of which a more particular 
 account will be given hereaftei. . He drew 
 his religious principles from the bible, and 
 not from any huftian system or body of 
 divinity. Though his principles were 
 Calvinistic, yet he called no man Father^ 
 He thought arid judged for himself, and was 
 , truly very much of aji original. Reading 
 was not the only method he took to im- 
 prove his mind; he was much ^given to 
 writing, without which, probably, no stu- 
 dent can make improvements to the best 
 advtilBtage. Agreeably to Resolution 1 1 th, 
 
l-KESlUJiNT EDWARDS, SI} 
 
 he applied himself, with gll his might, to 
 find out the truth : he searched for unjder- 
 standing and knowledge as for silver, and 
 digged for it as for hid treasures. Every 
 thought, on any subject, which appeared to 
 him worth ' pursuing and preserving, he 
 prosecuted as far as he then could, with a 
 pen in his hand. Thus lie was all his days, 
 like the busy bee, collecting frona every 
 opening flower, and storing up a stock of 
 knowledge, which was indeed sweet te him, 
 as. the honey and the honey-comb. And 
 as he advanced in years and in knowledge, 
 his pen was more and more employed, 
 and his manuscripts grew much faster on 
 his hands. 
 
 He was thought by some, who had but 
 a slight acquaintance with him, to be stiff 
 and unsociable; but this was owing to 
 the want of greater intimacy. He was liot, 
 indeed, a man* of many words, and was 
 somewhat reserved among strangers, and 
 those on whose candour and friendship he 
 did not know he could rely. And this was 
 probably owing to two things. ; First, the 
 strict guard he set over his tongue from 
 
50 THE LIFE OF 
 
 his youth, which appears by his resolutions, 
 taking great care never to use it in any 
 way that might prove mischievous to any ; 
 never to sin with his tongue; nor to employ 
 it in idle,, trivial, and impertinent talk» 
 which genera;lly makes up a great part of 
 the conversation of those who are full of 
 words in all companies. He was sensible 
 that, in the multitude of words," there 
 wanteth not sin; and therefore jefrained 
 his lips» and habituated himself to think 
 before he spoke, and to propose some good 
 end even in all his words ; which led him 
 to be, above others,, conformably to anapos^ 
 tolic precept, slow to speak. Secondly, this- 
 was in part tl^ effect of his bodily consti- 
 tution. He possessed but a comparatively 
 smallfund of animal life; his spirits were 
 low, and he had not the strength of lungSv 
 that would be necessary in order to make 
 him what might be called an affable^ face- 
 tious gentleman, in all companies.. They 
 who have a great flow of animal spirits^ 
 and so c^n speak with more ease and lesa. 
 expence than others, may doubtless law- 
 fully practise free conversation in all com- 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 87 
 
 panics for a lower end, e. g. to please, oi- 
 to render themselves acceptable. But not 
 so, he who has not such a stock; it be- 
 comes him to reserve what he has for 
 higher and more important service. Be- 
 sides, the want of animal spirits lays, a man 
 under a natural inability of exercising that 
 freedom of conversation, at aill times, and 
 in whatever company he is, which those of 
 more life naturally glide into ; and the 
 greatest degree of a sociable disposition, 
 humility and benevolence, will not remove 
 this obstacle. ' 
 
 He was not forward to enter into any dis- 
 pute among strangers, and in companies 
 where there might be persons of diflFerent 
 sentiments; being sensible, that such dis- 
 putes are generally unprofitable^ and often 
 sinful, and of bad consequence. He thought 
 he could dispute to the best advantage 
 with his peii; yet he was always free to 
 give his sentiments on any subject proposed 
 to him, and to remove any difficulties or 
 objections offered by \fay of enquiry, as 
 lying in the way of what he looked upon 
 to be the truth, But, how groundless the 
 
»» THE LIFE OF 
 
 imputation of stiff and unsociable was, his 
 intimate and tried friends best knew. They 
 always found liim easy of access, kind and 
 condescending; and though not talkative, 
 yet affable and free. Among such whose 
 candour and friendship he had experienced, 
 he threw off reserve, and was most open 
 and frank ; quite patieat of contradiction, 
 while the utmost opposition was made to 
 his sentiments, that could be by any plau- 
 sible arguments or objections. And indeed, 
 he was,, on all occasions, quite sociable and 
 free with all who had any special business 
 with him. 
 
 In his, family, he practised that conscir- 
 entious exactness which was conspicuous 
 in all his ways. He maintained a great 
 esteem and regaid for his amiable and ex- 
 cellent consort. Much of the tender and 
 kind waSv expressed in his conversation with, 
 her, and conduct towards, her. He was 
 wont frequently toadmit her into hisstudy,^ 
 and converse freely with her on matters ,of 
 religion J and he used commonly to pray 
 with her in his study, at least once a day, 
 unless something extraordinary prevented. 
 
PRESIDENT EDirARDS. g^ 
 
 The time for this, commonly, was ju&t be- 
 fore going to bed, after prayer in the 
 farnily. As he rose very early himself, he 
 was wont to have his family up betimes'in 
 the morning ; after which, before they en-, 
 tered on the business of the day, he attended 
 on family prayer: when a chapter in the 
 bible was read, commonly by candle-light 
 in the winter; upon whidi he asked his 
 children questions according to their age 
 and capacity; and, took occasion to explain' 
 some passages in it, of enforce any duty 
 recommended, &c. as he tho.ught most 
 proper- - , 
 
 He was careful and thorough in the go- 
 vernment of his children ; and, as a conse- 
 quence of this, they reverenced, esteemed, 
 and loyed him. He took special care to 
 begin his government of them in good time. 
 When they first discoveried, any consider- 
 able degree of self-will and stubbornness, 
 he would attend to them till he had tho- 
 roughly subdued them and brought them 
 to submit. Such prudent discipline, exer- 
 cised with the greatest calmness, being 
 repeated once or twice, was generally suf-« 
 
VO THE LIFE OF 
 
 ficient for that child ; and effectually estab- 
 lished his parental authority, and produced 
 a cheerful labedience ever after. 
 
 He kept a watchful eye over his chil- 
 dren, that he might admonish them of the 
 first wrong step, and direct them in the 
 Tight way. He took opportunities to con- 
 verse with them in his studyj singly and 
 closely, about their souls' concerns; and 
 to give them -warning, exhortation, and 
 direction,, as he saw need. He took much 
 pains to instruct them in the principles of 
 religion ; in which he made use of the 
 Assembly's Shorter Catechism: not merely 
 by taking care that they learned it - by 
 heart ; but by leading them into an under- 
 standing of the doctrines therein taught, 
 by asking them questions on each answer, 
 and explaining it to them. His usual time 
 to attend to this was on the evening before 
 the Sabbath. And, as he believed that the 
 Sabbath, or holy time, began at' sun-set 
 the evening before the day, he ordered his 
 family to finish all their secular business by 
 that time, or before ; when all were called 
 together, a psalm was sung, and prayer 
 
PKESIDEWT EDWAnDS. 91 
 
 offered, iis an introduction to the sanctifica- 
 tion of the Sabbath. This care and exact- 
 ness effectually prevented that intruding on 
 holy time, by attending to secular business, 
 which is too common even in families where 
 the evening before the Sabbath is pretended 
 to be observed. 
 
 He was a great enemy to young people's 
 unseasonable associating together for vain 
 amusements, which he regarded as a dan- 
 gerous step towards corrupting and bring- 
 ing them to ruin. And he thought the 
 excuse many parents make for tolerating 
 their children in it, (viz. that it is the cus- 
 tom, and the children of others practise it, 
 which renders it difficultj and even impossi- 
 ble to impose restraint,) was insufficient and 
 frivolous; and manifested a great degree 
 of stupidity, on supposition that the prac- 
 tice was hurtful and pernicious to their 
 souls. And when his children "grew up, 
 he found no difficulty in restraining them 
 from this mischievous custom ; but tliey 
 cheerfully complied with the will of their 
 parents. He allowed none of his children 
 to be from home after jijne o'clock at night, 
 
92 THE LWE OP 
 
 whjBti they went abroad to see their friends 
 and cornpanions; jneith^r were they per- 
 ^nitted to sit. up miich after that time, in his 
 own house, when any came to make them a 
 visit. If any gentleman- desired acquaint- 
 ance with his daughters, after handsomely 
 introducing himself, by properly corisulting 
 th^ parents, he. was jillpwed all proper op- 
 portunity for it; but was not to intrude on 
 the ^proper hours of rest and sleep, nor the 
 religion and, order of the family. 
 
 He had a strict and iriviolable regard to 
 justice in all his dealings wjth his neigh- 
 bours, and was very careful to provide 
 things honest in the sight of all men; so 
 that scarcely a man had any dealings with 
 him, that was riot conscious of his uprightr 
 ness. He appeared to have a sacred regard 
 to truth in his words, both in promises and 
 narrations^ agreeably to bis resolutions- 
 This doubtless was one reason why he was 
 not, so full of words as many are. No man 
 feared to rely on his veracity. 
 
 He was cautious in choosing his intimate 
 friendis, and therefore had not many thaft 
 oaight properly be callpd such; but to thcx?;'. 
 
PRESIDEKT EDWARDS. &3 
 
 he shewed himself friendly in a peculiar 
 manner: He was indeed a faithful friend, 
 and able above most others to keep a; 
 secret. To them he discovered himself 
 more than to others, led them into his views 
 and ends, and to the reasons of his conduct in 
 particular instances : by, which they had 
 abundant evidence that he well understood 
 human nature; and that his general reserve^ 
 and many particular instances of his deport- 
 ment, M'hich a stranger might impute to 
 ignorance of men, were really "owing to 
 his uncommon knowledge of mankind. 
 , His conversation with his friends- was 
 a.lways highly profitable; in this he wai 
 remarkable, < and almost singular, — He 
 was not wont to spend his time with' them 
 in. scandal, evil-speaking, and back-biting, 
 or in foolish jesting, idle chat, and telling 
 stories; but his mouth was that of tlie just; 
 which bringeth forth wisdom, and whose 
 lips dispense knowledge. His tongue was 
 as the pen of a ready writer, while he con- 
 versed about importaint, heavenly, divine 
 things, which his heart' was so full of, in 
 such a natural and free manner, as to be 
 
most entertaining and instructive ; so that 
 none of his friends could enjoy his compasny 
 without information and profit, unless it was 
 by their own fault. . . j 
 
 ^ His great benevolence to mankind dis* 
 -covefied itself, among other ways, by the 
 uncommon regard he^ shewed to liberality, 
 and charity, to the poor and distressed. 
 He strongly recommended this, both in 
 his public discourses and private conver- 
 sation. He often declared it to be his 
 opinion, that professed christians in these 
 days are greatly deficient in this duty; and 
 much more so than in most other parts of 
 icxternal Christianity. He often observed 
 how much this is spoken of, recommended, 
 and encouraged in the holy scripture, 
 especially in the New Testament. And it 
 was his opinion, that every particular church 
 ought, by frequent and liberal contributions, 
 to maintain a piibliq stock, that might be 
 ready for the poor and necessitous membeirs 
 of that church: and that the principal 
 business of deacons is to take care of the 
 poor, in the faithful and judicious distri- 
 bution and improvement of the church'i 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 95 
 
 temporals, lodged in their hands. And he 
 did not content himself with only recom- 
 mending charity to others, but practised it 
 much himself: though> according to his 
 Master's advice, he took great care to conceal 
 his acts of benevolence ; by which means, 
 doubtless, most of his alms-deeds will be 
 unknown till the resurrection, but which, 
 if known, would prove him to be as great 
 an instance of charity as almost any that 
 can be produced. This is not mere con- 
 jecture, but is evident many ways. He 
 was forward togive on all public occasions 
 of charity, though whien it could properly 
 be done, he always concealed the sum given. 
 And some instances of his giving more, pri- 
 vately, have accidentally come to the know- 
 ledge of others, in which his liberality ap- 
 peared in a very extraordinary degree. One 
 of the instances was this: upon hearing 
 -that a poor obscure man, whom he never 
 saw, or any of his kindred, was .by an ex- 
 traordinary bodily disorder brought to great 
 straits; he, unasked, gave a considerable 
 -sum to a friend to be delivered to the dis- 
 tressed person ; having first required a pro- 
 
96 THE LIFE 6V 
 
 luise of him, that he would let neither the 
 person who was the abject of his bounty, 
 nor any one else, know by whom it was 
 bestowed; This may serve both as an 
 instance of his extraordinary charity, and of 
 his great care to conceal it.* 
 
 Mr. Edwards had the most universal cha- 
 racter of a good preacher of 'almost any 
 minister- in America. There were ,but few 
 that heard himj who did not call him a 
 good preacher, however they might dis- 
 like his religious principles; and be much 
 offended at the same truths when delivered 
 by others; and most peopte admired him 
 above all that ever they heard. His emi- 
 nence as a preacher seems to have been 
 owing to th6 following things : 
 
 First, The great pains he took in com- 
 posing his sermons, especially in the first 
 part of his life. As by his early rising, and 
 constant attention to study, he had more 
 time than most others, so he spent more 
 
 * As both the giver, and the object of his chariiy are 
 AkaA, andall the ends of the proposed secrecjrare answered, 
 it is thought not inconsistent with the above-mentioned 
 promise, to make known the fiict, as it is here related. 
 
' PUESIDENT EDWARDS. 97 
 
 time in makiiig his sermons. He wrote 
 most of them at full length, for nearly 
 twenty years after he first began to preach ; 
 though he did not wholly confine, himself 
 to his paper in delivering them. 
 
 Secondly/, His great acquaintance with 
 divinity, and knowledge of the Sible, His 
 extensive information, and great clearness 
 of thought, enabled him to discuss every sub- 
 ject with peculiar judgment aqd propriety, 
 and to bring out of his treasure things new 
 and old. Every topic he , handled was 
 instructive, plain, entertaining, and profit- 
 able 5 which ,was much owing to his being 
 master of the subject, and his great skill 
 in treating it in a natural^ easy, and ad- 
 vantageous manner. None of his compo- 
 sures were dry speculations, unmeaning 
 harangues, or words without ideas. Whe^ 
 he dwelt on those truths whictf are much 
 controverted and opposed by many, which^ 
 was often the case, he would set them in 
 such a natural and easy light, and every 
 sentiment, from step to step, would drop 
 from his lips, attended with such clear and 
 striking evidence, both from scripture and 
 
95 THE LIFE OF 
 
 ireason, as even to force the assent of every 
 attentive hearer. 
 
 'Thirdly, His excellenGy as a preacher was 
 very much the effect ,Gf his great acquaint- 
 Jtnce with his own heart, his inward sense 
 and high relish of divine truths, and expe- 
 rimental religion. This gave hito a great 
 insight into human nature : he well knew 
 what was in man, both the saint and the 
 sinner. This helped him to^ be skilful, to 
 lay truth before the mind so as not only to 
 convince the judgment, hut also. to touch 
 th6 heart and coiiscience ; and enabled him 
 to speak out of the abundance of his heart 
 *hat he knew, and testify wl^jat he had 
 seen and felt. This gave him a taste a»d 
 discernment, without which he could not 
 have been able to fill his sermons, as he 
 did, with such striking,' aflfecting senti- 
 ments, alLsuited to render soleitm, to move, 
 and to r^ify the heart of the hearer. His 
 sermons were well arranged, not usually 
 'long, and had jcomnionly a large part taken 
 up in the improvement ; which was closely 
 ConniEcted with the subject, aaid consisted 
 in' sentiments naturally flowing from it. 
 
PRESJDKNT EDWARDS. 9S 
 
 Sut no description of his sermons will give 
 ,the reader the idea of them which they ha<i 
 who sat under his preaching. 
 
 His appearance in the pulpit -was with a 
 good grace, and his delivery easy, natural, 
 and Tery sokmn. He had not a strong, 
 loud voice ; but appeared with such gravity 
 and solemnity, and spoke with su<;h dis- 
 tinctness, clearness, and precision ; his' 
 jvords were so full of ideas, set in such a 
 plain and striking light, that few speakers 
 have been so able to command the attention 
 of an audience. His words often discovered 
 a great degree of inward fervour, without 
 much noise or' external emotion, and fell 
 .with great weight on the minds of his 
 hearers. He made but little motion with his 
 Jiead or hands ; but spoke so as to discover 
 the motion of his own heart, which tended 
 in the most natural and eifectual manner to 
 move and affect others. Thou^ he carried 
 his notes with him, and read mosJt that he 
 wrote, yet he was not confined to them ; if 
 some thoughts were suggested while he 
 was s.peakingj which did not occur to him 
 when writing, and appeared pertinent, he 
 
iOO THE LIFE Of 
 
 would deliver them with as great propriety 
 and fluency as any part he had written; 
 and often with greater pathos, attended 
 with a more sensibly good effect on his 
 hearers. ^, «5?:.' ■ ' 
 
 But. though, as observed, he was wont tp 
 read so considerable a part of what he 
 delivered; yet he was far from thinking 
 this the best Way of preaching in general, 
 and looked upon his using notes so mucli 
 as he did, adefect and infirmity. And in 
 the latter part of his life he was inclined to 
 think it had been betterj If he had never 
 accustomed himself to use his notes at all. 
 It appeared to him- that preaching wholly 
 \^ithout notes, agreeably to the custom in 
 most Protestant countries^ and which seems 
 evidently to have been the manner of the 
 apostles and primitive ministers of the 
 gospel, was the most natural way ; and had 
 the greatest tendency, on the- whole; to 
 answer the end of preaching: and he" sup- 
 posed -that any one who had talents equal to 
 the work of the ministry, was capable of 
 sneaking memorker, if he. took suitable 
 pains for this attainrnent from his youth. 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 101 
 
 He would have the young preacher write 
 his sermons, at least most of them, out at 
 large; and instead of reading them to his 
 hearers, take pains to commit them to 
 memory; which, though it would require 
 a great deal of labour at first, yet would 
 soon. become easier by use, andhfelp him to 
 speak more correctly and freely, and be of 
 great service to him all his days.* 
 
 * Were the writer of this note' allowed to drop a hint on 
 so delicate a subject, it would be this. Different preachecs, 
 like all other public speakers, are possessed of exceedltigly 
 different gifts ; and therefore one plan, however excellent 
 on the whole, cannot be adopted advantaigeously by all. 
 In one, clearness of understanding and correctness of 
 judgment are most prominent ; in another, a lively and fer- 
 tile imagination prevails ; and a third excels in strength of 
 memory. Some have a greater facility of expression at 
 leisure, by flie pen ; and others -experience more. freedom 
 when their senses and feelings are roused by their appear- 
 ance in publici The man who excels in a sound judgment 
 seldom possesses a lively imagination ; he therefore should 
 write the more, with a view to give animation to his com- 
 positions. He should secure in his notes pertinent quota- 
 tions of scripture, apt comp^isons, scripture allusions, and 
 Mstoric facts. The preacher, whose fancy is active and 
 excursive, should labour to secure a well-digested y^an, 
 argninenlatively just, and naturally connected. This will 
 prevent his running into a wordy, declamatory strain. As 
 to memory, there are two sorts, the verbal, and the scientific 
 
102 THE LIFE OF 
 
 His prayers were indeed exttmpartv, He 
 was the farthest from any appearance of a 
 fornij as to his words and manner of ex- 
 pression, of almost any man. He was quite 
 singular in this, and inimitable by any who 
 have not a spirit of real and undissembled 
 devotion; yet he always expressed himself 
 with decency and propriety. He appeared 
 to have much of the grace and spirit of 
 prayer; to pray with the spirit and with 
 the understanding : and he 'performed this 
 part of <luty much to the acceptance and 
 ediflcation of those who joined with him. 
 He was not wont, in ordinary cases, to be 
 long in his prayers: an error which he 
 observed was often hurtful to -public and 
 
 or systematic. He wiiO has the former may soon preach 
 memoriter; — after writing all, or without writing any. But 
 let him ever watch, .lest he enter into the temptation of 
 plstgiary; his quoting, howeTer, long passages from the 
 holy scriptlires,_when apposite,^ill be always acceptable;' 
 and occasionally, when avowed, the words of other 
 authors. The scientific memory should guard against too 
 much analysis in a sermon, a]id often choose for the sub- 
 ject of discussion historical passages, or any others which 
 are best treated in the way of observation ': which in time 
 will effectually counteract the opposite tendency to ex- 
 nlaia what is clear, atid to analyse without profit. — W. 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 103 
 
 social prayer, as- it tends rather to damp 
 than promote true devotion. 
 
 He kept himself quite free from worldly 
 cares ,- but gave himself altogether to the 
 work of the ministry, and entangled not 
 himself with the affairs of this life. He 
 left the particular oversight and direction 
 of the temporal concerns of his family, 
 almost entirely to Mrs. Edwards ; who was 
 better able than most of her sex to take the 
 ■\vhole eare of them on her hands. He was 
 less acquainted with most of his temporal 
 affairs than many of his neighbours, and 
 seldom knew when, and by whom hi« 
 forage for winter was gathered in, or how 
 many milch kine he had, or whence his 
 table was furnished,-&c. 
 
 He did. not make it his custom to visit 
 his people in their own houses, unless \}e was 
 sent for by the sick; or he heard that 
 they were under some special affliction. 
 Instead of visiting from house to house, he 
 used to preach frequently at private meet- 
 ings in particular neighbourhoods; and 
 often call the young people and children 
 to his own house, when he used |o pray 
 
104 THE LIFE OF 
 
 with them, and treat with them in a man- 
 ner suited to their years and circumstances ; 
 and he catechised the children in pubhc 
 every Sabbath in the summer. He used 
 'Sometimes to propose questions to particular 
 young persons in writing, to be answered 
 by them after a proper time given for pre- 
 paration. In presenting these inquiries, he 
 endeavoured to suit them to the age, genius, 
 arid 'abilities of those to whom they were 
 addressed; His questions were generally 
 such as rex]uired biit a short reply ; and yet 
 they could not be answered without a par- 
 ticular knowledge of some historical part 
 of the scripture; and therefore led, and 
 even' obliged persons to study the bible, , 
 
 He did not neglect; to visit, his people 
 from house to house because he did not 
 look upon it, in ordinary cases, to be one 
 part of the work of a gospel-minister; but 
 because he supposed that ministers should, 
 with respect to this, consult their own 
 talents and circumstances, and visit more or 
 less, ^ttccording to the degree in which they 
 could hope thereby to promote the great 
 ends of the ministry. He observed, that 
 
PRESIDENT ED\»rARDS. 105 
 
 some had a talent for enteitaining and profit- 
 ing by occasional visits among their people. 
 They have words at will, arid a readiness 
 at intioducing useful religious discpurse in. 
 a free, natural, and, a.&. it were, undesigned 
 way. He supposed such had a call to 
 spend a great deal of their time in visiting 
 their people ; but he looked on his, own 
 talents to be quite different. He was not 
 able ta enter into a free conversation with 
 every person- he met, and in an easy man- 
 ner turn it to what topic he pleased, with- 
 out the help of others, and, it ,niay be, 
 against their inclination. He therefore 
 found that his visits of^his kind must be in 
 a great degree unprofitable. And as he 
 was settled in a large* town, it would have 
 taken up a great part of his time to visit 
 from house to house,, which he thought he 
 eoiild spend in his study to much more 
 valuable purposes, and so better subserve 
 
 ■^ * Northampton might be considered as large for Ame- 
 rica, b»t in England would be called a tmall town, ia 
 point of population; since even so late as 1790, it did not- 
 ''cxceed 1628 persons, according to a census. then taken. 
 But all these in a sense were his charge. — W. 
 F,5 
 
106 THE LIFE OF 
 
 the great design of his ministry. For it 
 appeared to him, that he could do the 
 greatest good. to souls, arid most promote 
 the interest of Christ, by preaching and 
 writing, and conversing with persons under 
 religious impressions in his study; whither 
 be encouraged all such to repair; where 
 they might be sure, in ordinary cases, to 
 find him, and to be allowed easy access to 
 him; and where they were treated with all 
 desirable tenderness, kindness, and fami- 
 
 In tiiTies, therefore, of the revival of 
 religion among his people, his study was 
 thronged with persons who came tor lay 
 Open their spiritual concerns to him, and 
 seek his advice and directioni These he 
 received with great freedom and pleasure, 
 and there he had the best opportunity to 
 deal in. the most particular manner with 
 each one.. He was a skilful guide to souls 
 under spiritual difficulties ; and was there- 
 fore applied to, not only by his own people, 
 but by many who lived , at a considerable 
 distance. He became such, partly by his- 
 own experimental acquaintance with divine 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS., ,' 107 
 
 things, and unsjrearied study of God's Word, 
 and partly by his having so much concern 
 with souls under spiritual troubles; for he 
 had not been settled in the work of the 
 ministry matiy years before the Spirit of 
 God was wonderfully poured out on his 
 people, by which a great concern about 
 their souls became almost universal, and a 
 great number were hopefully the subjects 
 ©f saving conversion. This was principally 
 in the year 1734; a particular account of 
 which has been written by him, entitled, 
 A faithful narrati've of the surprising work 
 @f God, in the corvcersion of many hundred 
 souls in Northampton. This has been printed 
 in England,' Germany, and America ; to 
 which the reader must be referred. 
 
 There was another very remarkable time 
 of the out-pouring of God's Holy Spirit in 
 this part of America, in the years 1740 
 and 1741, and in which Northampton 
 largely partook. Mr.- Edwards, at this 
 time, had to deal not only with his own 
 people, but with multitudes of others. The 
 report that the same things had been expe- 
 rienced at Northampton some years before,; 
 
108 THE LIFE OF 
 
 > 
 
 and Mr. Edwards's fame for kftawledge, 
 piety, and great acquaintance with experi^ 
 mental religion, naturally led both ministers 
 and people, from almost all parts of New 
 England, to look to him for direction and 
 assistancfej "imder these extraordinary cir- 
 cumstances. Being earnestly solicited to 
 come and preach among them, he went to 
 many ; though he Avas not able to gratify 
 all who desired him : and his preaching- 
 was attended with, great success. 
 
 As many of the ministers and people in 
 New^^ England had been unacquainted with 
 such things, they were greatly exposed to 
 run wild, as it were, and (by the subtle 
 temptations of the devil), actually did go 
 into great extremes, both as opposers and 
 friends to the work of God. Mr. Edwards 
 ■H^as eminently useful by his direction and 
 assistance in reference to the two opposite 
 extremes, both 'in conversation, preaching, 
 and writing. His publications. on this oc- 
 casion were of great and extensive vservice; 
 especially a sermon preached at New- 
 Haven, Sept. 10th, 1741, on The distin- 
 guishing marks of a work of the Spirit of 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS,. 10.9 
 
 God, — ^fi Thoughts concerning the present 
 .revival of religion in New Eiigla/id,-^-and' 
 his Treatise on religious affections. All which 
 might be justly considered by the church 
 of Christ as a wise and friendly A'oice be- 
 hind them, saying. " This is the way, walk 
 "therein j" especially the last-mentioned 
 Treatise, which is esteemed by many to 
 be the best that has been written on the 
 subject; setting the distinction between 
 true and false religion in the most clear and 
 striking light. And to the same purpose 
 is The Life of the Rev. David Brainerd, 
 mth reflections and observations ; published 
 by Mr. Edwards in 1749. 
 
 Mr. Edwards was, what some would call, a 
 rigid Calvinist. Those doctrines of Calvinism 
 which have been most objected against, and 
 gjven the greatest pffence,^ appeared to. him 
 scriptural, reasonable, and important; and he 
 thought that to abandon them, was, -in efFecti 
 to abandon all.' He theuefore looked upon: 
 those who, calling themselves Calvinists, 
 were for palliating the matter, that they 
 might conform it more to the taste of those 
 wl^o iare most disposed to object against it, 
 
110 THE LIFE or 
 
 as really giving up and betraying tlie( 
 cause they pretended to espouse ; and as' 
 paving the way not only to Arminianism, 
 but to Deism. For if these doctrines, in 
 the " whole length and breadth" of them,- 
 be relinquished,, he did not see where an 
 individual can rest,, with consistency and 
 safety, short of Deism, • or evf n Atheism 
 itself J or rather, universal Scepticism. — 
 He judged that nothing, was wanting but 
 to have these doctrines properly stated, 
 and judiciously defended, in order to their 
 appearing most agreeahle to reason and 
 common sense, as well as doctrines of reve- 
 lation,* and that this therefore was the only 
 effectual method to convince, or silence,, 
 and put to shame, the opposers of them. 
 All will be able to satisfy themselves of the 
 truth of this by reading his works, and 
 especially his volumes on The Freedom of 
 the Will, and Original Sin. 
 
 In this view of things^ he thought it of 
 importance that ministers sliould be very 
 careful in examining candidates for the 
 ministry, with respect to their principles, 
 as well as their religious dispositions and 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. Ill 
 
 morals. And on this account he met with 
 cgjisiderable difficulty and opposition, in 
 some instances. His opinion was, that an 
 erroneous, or unfaithful minister, was likely 
 to do more injurj' than good to tlte church 
 of Christ; and therefore he could not par- 
 ticipate in the introdoction of any one to the 
 ministry, unless he appeared wewzrf in the 
 faith, and manifested, to the judgment of 
 charity, a disposition to be faithful. 
 
 CHAP. 17. 
 
 Hii Departure from 'Northampton, with the Oe- 
 casion and Circumstances of it. 
 
 Whatever belongs to man, or more cov' 
 rectly, whatever is properly his own, bears 
 the mark of mutability. Mr. Edwards's 
 labours at Northampton were crowned, at 
 different periods of his ministry there, with 
 signal- success. But a root of bitterness 
 sprung up, and many were defiled. The 
 transactions contained in this chapter, 
 though unpleasant, may afford, to a serious 
 and i*eflecting mind, much instruction. If 
 
112 THE LIFE OF' 
 
 that people were more depraved than chris- 
 tian churches in common, after enjoying 
 for so long a period the stated instructions 
 and prayers of so eminent a pastor; how 
 great the depravity of human nature, to be 
 capable of such ijigratitude and such a re- 
 verse ! Thus it was with Ephraim of old ; 
 "When I would," saith God, "have healed 
 Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was 
 discovered, and the w.ickedness, or the evili^ 
 of Samaria." But if the people in question 
 were no more depraved than ourselves, let 
 us learn caution, afid beware of unreason- 
 able and inordinate attachment to customs 
 — let us contemplate with proper emotions 
 the instability of all human affairs, and the 
 folly and danger of trusting in man — let us 
 Ecfleet that we depend on God for the'preser- 
 vation of the closest friendships — and that 
 the best ministers, wi thout the continued sup- 
 ply of the Holy Spirit on the minds of their 
 people, have no sure interest in their af- 
 fections ; people, to whom they have been 
 most useful, and who have been long most 
 attached to them. — Human nature has bccar 
 sionally shewn itself in every age to be the 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 113 
 
 same. After the most extraordinary mani- 
 festation of divine power and goodness^ 
 " The whole congregatidri of the children of 
 Israel m urmured against Moses and Aaron in 
 the wilderness." And after the most awful 
 and intpressive instructions, the Lord had 
 to say to Moses, " Go, get thee down ; for 
 thy people which thou broughtest out of 
 the land of Egypt, have corrupted thcm- 
 s.elves." 
 
 For many years Mr. Edwards was vety 
 happy in the love and esteem of his people, 
 and there was, during that period, the 
 greatest prospect of his living and dying 
 so. Indeed, he was a,lmost the last minister 
 in all New rEhgland that \Vould have been 
 thought likely to be opposed by his people. 
 'But the event proved how incompetent tve 
 are to decipher those consequences which 
 depend on human volitions.— In the year 
 1744, about six years before the final rup^ 
 ture, Mr. Edwards Was informed that some 
 young persons in the town who were mem- 
 bers of the church, had books in their pos- 
 session which they employed to promote 
 lascivious and obscene discourse among 
 
114 THE LIFE OJ 
 
 their companions. Upon inquiry, a number 
 pf persons testified, that they had heard 
 one and another, from time to time, talk 
 obscenely; as what they were led to by 
 feading a book or books, which they had 
 aniong them. Mr. Edwards thought the 
 brethren of the church ought to look into 
 the matter ; and in ojder to introduce it 
 he preached a sermon from Heb. xii. 15, 16. 
 " Looking diligently, lest any man fail 
 of the grace of God, lest any root of 
 bitterness springing up trouble you, and 
 thereby many be defiled; lest there be 
 any fornicator, or profane person, as £sa^ 
 who for, one morsel of meat soM his 
 birth-right." After sermon, he desired the 
 brethren of the church to stay, and told 
 them what information he had received; 
 and inquired, whether they thought proper 
 to take any measures to examine into the 
 matter. They with one consent, and much 
 zeal, stated it fo be their opinion, that it 
 ought to be inquired into; and proceeded 
 to choose a number of individuals, to assist 
 their pastor in investigating the affair. 
 Upon which Mr. Edwards appointed the 
 
PKESIDENT ED■«^rARDS. 1 15 
 
 time for their meeting at kis house, and 
 then read a list of the names af young 
 persons, whom he desired to assemble 
 at the same time. Some were the accused, 
 and some witnesses; but it was not then 
 declared of which number any particular 
 individual was. 
 
 When the nanres were pubHshed, it ap- 
 pear^ that there were but few of the con- 
 siderable families in the town to which 
 some of the persons mentioned did not be- 
 long, or were not nearly related, Whether 
 this was the occasion of the alteration or 
 not, before the day appointed came, a 
 great number of heads of families changed 
 their minds, and declared, that they did 
 not think "proper to proceed ai^ they had 
 done; that their children should not be 
 called to an account in such, a way, &c. 
 The town was suddenly all in a blaze. 
 This strengthened the hands of the ac- 
 cused; some refused to appear, and others 
 who did appear behaved with a great de- 
 gree of insolence, and contempt of the 
 authority of the church. And little or 
 nothing could be done further in the aifair. 
 
116 THE LIFE OF 
 
 I 
 
 This was the occasion of weakening Mr. 
 Edwards's hands in the work of the mi- 
 nistry, especially among the yoiing people, 
 with whom by this means he greatly lost 
 his influence. This seemed in a great mea- 
 sure to put an end- to his usefulness at 
 Northampton;' it doubtless laid a founda- 
 tion for the surprising events which will be' 
 related, and will help to account for them., 
 He certainly had no great visible success 
 after this; the influences of God's Holy 
 Spirit were greatly withheld, but security 
 and carnality much increased among them.* 
 That singular degree of visible religion 
 and good order which had been among 
 them soon began gradually to decay, and 
 the youth have since been more wanton 
 and dissolute. 
 
 Mr. Stoddard, Mr. Edwards's grand-father 
 
 * What an awful warning to all professors, and especiallj 
 to young people ! BeboM, liow great a matter a little firo 
 kiiidleth-' Little do the giddy ami ^the gay think how 
 their levities operate, and what seeds of distress and sorrow 
 they are sowing for themselves and others. Woe unto you 
 that thus laugh now, for ye shall mourn and weep ! How 
 desirable it should be ptniUntially here, and not despair- 
 ingh) hereaftei:!— W. 
 
' PRESIDENT EDWARDS. ' 117; 
 
 and predecessor, was of the opinion, that 
 unconverted persons, considered as such, 
 had a right in the sight of God, or by his 
 appointment, to the sacrament of the Lord's 
 supper; that therefore it was their duty to -^ 
 come to that ordinance, though they knew 
 they had no true goodness, or" gospel holi- 
 ness. He maintained, tlmt visible Chris- 
 tianity dpes not consist in a profession or 
 appearance of that wherein true holiness or 
 real Christianity consists : that, therefore, 
 the profession which persons make in order 
 to be received as visible members of Christ's 
 church, ought liot to be such as to express 
 or imply a real compliance with, or conseni 
 to the terms of th^ covenant of grace, or 
 a hearty embracing of the gospel. So that 
 they who really reject Jesus Christ, and 
 dislike the gospel way of salvation in 
 their hearts, and knovp- that this is true of 
 themselves, may make the profession with- 
 out falsehood and hypocrisy.* He formed a 
 
 * That is, we apprehend, what they were required to 
 profess was oniy obligation and piiiilege ; or, that they were 
 houijd in duty to conform to the laws of Christ, aiid con- 
 sidered it their privilege to partake of his iiistituted ordr- 
 
118 THE LIFE OF 
 
 short profession for persons to make, in 
 order to be admitted into the church, an- 
 swerable to this principle^; and accordingly 
 persons were admitted into the church, and 
 to the sacrament, on those terms. Mr. 
 Stoddard's principle at first excited' great 
 attention in the country; and be was op* 
 posed as introducing something contrary 
 to the principles and practice of almost all 
 the churches in New England: and the 
 
 nances, as means appQintecl for their everlasting goodj 
 but not any actual attainment in religions experience. 
 Tliey were not encouraged as converted persons, but as 
 those whd jyofessed the necessity of being saved in God's 
 own way. In this case, persons would be asked, not 
 whether they had actually experienced conversion to God, 
 or could give some evidence whereby others might infer 
 them to be sq, but whether they considered themselves, as 
 baptized persons, bound in, duty to obey divine injunctions, 
 and regarded an attendance on the ordinances of the gospel] 
 a -privilege which they wished to «njoy ? Consequently,' 
 when they allowed that tliey apprehended themselves to be 
 in an unconverted state, they could not fairly be chargeable 
 with either falsehood or hypocrisy; for they professed 
 nothing more than tfiey belfeved respecting either their 
 duty, their privilege, or their state. — It is, therefore, neitlier 
 candid nor true to say, as some have done, that this prin- 
 ciple of the church, inculcated by Mr. Stoddard, taught 
 men that they " may be hypocrites withoitt the guilt of 
 hypocrisy, and liars without the imputation of sin."— W, 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 119 
 
 matter was publicly controverted between 
 him and Dr. Increase Mather, of Boston. 
 However^ through Mr. Stoddard's great 
 influence" over the people at Northampton, 
 it was introduced there, though not with- 
 out opposition; by degrees it spreadvery 
 much among ministers and people in that 
 county, and in other psffts of New England. 
 Mr. Edwards had some hesitation about 
 this matter when he first settled at North- 
 ampton, but did not receive such a degree 
 of conviction, as to prevent his adopting.it 
 with a good conscience, for some years. 
 But at length his doubts increased, which 
 put him upon examining it thoroughly, by 
 searching the scripture, and reading such 
 books as were written on the subject. The , 
 result was a full conviction that it was 
 wrong, and that he could not retain the 
 practice with a good conscience. He was 
 fully convinced, that to be a laisiMe chris- 
 tian was to put on the visibility or appear- 
 ance of a real christian ; that the profession 
 of Christianity was a profession of that 
 wherein real Christianity consists ; and 
 therefore, that no person who rejected 
 
120 THE LiFE OF 
 
 Christ in his heart,. could make such a pre 
 fession consistently with truth. And as the 
 ordinance of the Lord's supper was. insti- 
 tuted for none but visible professing chris- 
 tians, none but those who are real chris- 
 tians have a right in the sight of God 
 to come to that ordinance: and conse- 
 quently, that none ought to be admitted 
 thereto, who do n^t make a profession of 
 real Christianity, arid so be received in a 
 judgment of charity as true friends to Jesus 
 Christ.* 
 
 * Tlj«y who have a desire more fully to understand this 
 eontroversy, may do it by reading what Mr. Edwards wrote 
 on the occasion, in order to explain and vindicate his 
 piinciples ; together with the Rev. Solomon Williams's 
 answer, and Mr. Edwards's reply to him. 
 
 This important subject is so ably discussed by Dr. 
 WilliamSj-^in a note appended to the last-mentioned publi- 
 cation, that the editor cannot refrain from inserting it. 
 
 " Much of this controversy, which was agitated with great 
 warmth in the American churches, and which is not unfie- 
 quently started among congregational churches in Great 
 Britain, seems to originate in the want of clearly stating the 
 sciiptural design of entering into full communion. If this 
 be not previously settled, there is but little hope of a satis- 
 factory adjustment. Without {entering here into the" 
 minutuB of proofs, the following particulars are submitted 
 to the reader's consideration, as probably calcolated im 
 aid his inquiries. 
 
>"RESIDENT EDWARDS, 12 1 
 
 When Mr. Edwards's sentiments were 
 Jcnown, (in the spring of the year 1744,) it 
 
 " 1. The cAle/end of every huttian. society, as well as of 
 every intelligent being, ought to be this, viz. To glorify 
 God, or to represent him as glorious in 'aXi Ms perfections 
 and ways. No human society, of whatever kind, is 
 exempt from this obligation. For a society is only an 
 aggregate^f individuals:; and as every individual is obliged 
 to do this in all ihis actions, |j)e is therefore thus obliged in 
 bis toeial capstclty. *This obligation] ;arises from the re- 
 spective natures (yt Gdft ^nd the creature, and -it is clearly 
 enjoined in the holy scriptures. ' Whatsoever ye do, do all 
 to the gloryof God.'— ^at, 
 
 " 3. The distinguishing subordinate ercd or special design 
 of any society, must designate its peculiar nature, whereby 
 it is test adapted -to ^ronrote ftiat ertd.- Though every 
 toeiety is bound to seek the one chief end, yet every social 
 union is not adapted to answer all social ends. Societies 
 of a religious, moral, charitable, scientific, or political 
 design, must have members of a coi'responding character^ 
 otherwise the proposed end cannot be answered. The 
 <}ualifications of ihe members must have an aptitude to 
 promote the design. 
 
 "3. The distinguishing design «T a society dcnobiinated 
 a church, evidently is to promote 'religion. Nutnbers are 
 united by divine appointment, to ■ maintain religion-^jto 
 exhibit before the world real 'Christianity — to encourage 
 those who seek the right way — to edify one anothei- — lind 
 the like. Such particulars we gather frotn the sacred 
 scriptures. ' Striving togethev for the faith of llie gosppl.' — 
 ' That ye may be blajneless and hatWiess, the ^ons of God 
 (resembling him) withoiit rebuke (or, cause of febuke) in 
 the midst of a cropked and perverse natiott, among whom 
 
128 THE LIFE OF 
 
 gave great offence, alid the town was put 
 into a greg,t ferment; and before hd was 
 
 ye shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word bf 
 liie.[ — ^A phurch of Christ is appointed to shine in a dark 
 world, to be blameless and harmless among the crooked 
 «pd perverse, to imitate God, as far as practicable^ While 
 aiuong the children of- the wicked one, to give no offence ' 
 to thpse who are Without or those who are within th« 
 church, to hold "forth, and hold fast, the word of life, by 
 doctrine, by discipline, and: by practice. 'Him that is 
 weak in the faith receive you, but not to doubtAil disputa- 
 tions.' Provided a person be desirous of Christian fellow* 
 ship, and is possessed of so much' knowledge, so much 
 Experienced efficacy-of truth, and so much good condufct, 
 as iS'Calculated to ans^ver, in a prevailing degree, the design > 
 «f a church being at all formed, let him not be rejected;' 
 ' Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one 
 another, even as also ye do!' This is done by mutual 
 instructions, exhortations, prayers, and praises ; by watch- 
 'ful discipline, and the exercise of religious gifts; by friendly 
 offices, and ^cts of Christian kindness. 
 
 " 4. The preceding particulars are produced only aJS »i- 
 ttances; but in order accurately to ascertain the special 
 end of Christian fellowship, in full .conununion, all' the 
 passages contaiued in the New testament relating to the 
 subject ought .to be included. For until the revealed spe- 
 cial design, for which a church of Christ is instituted be 
 ascertained, it is obviously not possible to ascertain tht 
 precise nature of the society, and consequently the qualifi- 
 cations of its members. However, 
 
 " 5. We will suppose that, by an appeal to ail the pas- 
 sages of the New Testament, the precise design is known ; 
 from whence the nature of a church is deduced: thequesi- 
 
PRESIBENT EDWARDS. lS3 
 
 heard in his own defence, or it was under- 
 stood by many what his principles were, the 
 
 tion returns, Is there axiy general rule that may form an 
 invariable standard by which all qualifications of candi- 
 dsites may be measured? There undoubtedly is, for this 
 plain reasou, because a church is a society instituted for 
 tpecijk ends, revealed in the New Testament. Now z» 
 these ends are matter of divine record, and not of human 
 opinion, the standard is invariable'. 
 
 " 6. We will further suppose, that the general rule, by 
 which to measure qnulifications for full communion' is, TA* 
 scriptural design for^yihieh a'gespel church in full communion 
 is. divinely institiUredt No party, however thfey may differ 
 about other tilings, can ohject to this rule, with any :colour ■ 
 of reasou. To deny its claim, they must either subvert 
 the evident principles of all voluntary societies, or. else 
 hold, that a Christian church is not instituted in the New 
 Testament §ot any ^ecific endi But this no reasonable 
 person, much less a serious Christian, will maintain. 
 Hence, 
 
 " 7. Those candidates for fell communion, and only 
 those, who are conformed^ to iliit ritfe, are fully qualified. 
 But here it is of essential importance to observe, that 
 though a rule is, and from its very nature must 'be, "fixed 
 and invariable, the qualifications of individuals are variable 
 things, admitting of more or less coHformity to it. The 
 conjectures of men, however ingenious- and plaasiblej can- 
 not' be admitted as a rule, because they are varjiable; but 
 the rule must be deduced from the design itself of insti* 
 tnting a church, which is eviaently a matter of pure divine 
 pleasure, and which could not be known without a revelar-, 
 iion from God. A rule, then, must be sought from the 
 sacred oracle's by an induction of particulars relating U> the 
 
ISi TftE LIFE OF 
 
 general cry was to. have him dismissed, as 
 what alone would satisfy them. This was 
 
 point in question, and from their harmonions agreement; 
 and it is the bnsiness <o{ every Christian church, minister 
 and member, to search the scriptures in order to ascertain 
 it. To contend about qualifications, before this is agreed 
 upon, is to contend about the dimensions of different tlungs, 
 before a standard is fixed upon by which to measure them. 
 But the constituent parts of the qualifications in candi- 
 dates, cannot be found in scripture ; they must, most evi- 
 dently, be sought in the characteri of the individuals, 
 ^hicli are indefinitely variable. To suppose that the cha- 
 racter, or the aitual attainment of each candidate, is revealed 
 in scripture,Js too absurd to be maintained by any rational 
 mind. Therefore, 
 
 " 8. What remains for a church to do in judging pf 
 ((ualiGcations, is to compare the proficiency bf the candi- 
 date with the scriptural rule. The former, admitting of 
 indefinite degrees of approximation to the standard, must 
 be learnt from the person himself, from- his conduct, and 
 from the testimony of others." His-profession, his declared 
 experience of divine truth, his deportment in soeiety, in 
 ■Ubrt, his^enerai character, is to be viewed, in comparison 
 with the evident design of God in forming a church. 
 
 " 9. Should it be objected, that different persoujs, or 
 churches, might fix on a different standard, by adding more 
 texts of scripture out of which a various general result 
 would arise ; it is answered, that therefore this is the point , 
 to be' first settled. When any disagree about the rule, 
 they cannot of course agree about the quah'fications. 
 There are many texts, however, suck as those above, 
 produced, concerning which there can be no disagreement. 
 'The rule therefore should be admitted, atfw at it gou. A 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 125 
 
 evident from the whole tenor of their con- 
 duct, as they neglected and opposed the 
 
 measure 6f & f^ot long^ may, as far as it goes, be a standard 
 of straig;litness and of measure, as well as a yard or a fathom. 
 Or, to pliange the ebrnpaiison, a small measure of capacity 
 may be equally accurate, to a certain degree, as '• a larger 
 measure. Let the church of small attainments act cha- 
 ritably, and wait for brighter evidence. If any lack wis- 
 dom, let them ask of God, who giveth liberally. ' Let us, 
 therefore, as mahy as be perfect, be thus minded; and if 
 in any thingye be otherwise minded, God shaiU reveal even 
 this unto you. • Nevertheless, whtreto me have already 
 attained, let us walk by the .same rule, let us mind the 
 sauKt thing.' > 
 
 " 10. The scriptural rule is not only invariable, but also 
 perfect in its kind, as dictated by infinite wisdom for the 
 ►ftoblest ends. ^ But no human character, in the present 
 state, is perfect, so as to comport universally with thei 
 standard.. Therefore no candidate for cotnmunion is per- 
 fectly qualified ; tijiat is, his qualifications are only compa- 
 rative. One may be qualified in a greater, and another in 
 a smaller degree. One is qualified to till his place emi- 
 nently, another moderately well. One may be strpng, and 
 . another weak in the faith. Yet he who is weak- in the 
 faith may be comparatively qualified. • Therefore, '^ 
 
 " 11: Since qualifications are so various, and admit of 
 indefinite approximations to the perfect standard, or devia- 
 tions from it, we are bound to accede to another conclti- 
 swu, viz. That whatever kind or degree of qualification 
 appears to befriend, rather than to oppose, to honour, 
 rather than to discredit the scriptural design of full com- 
 munion, ought to be admitted By the church. When a 
 cahdidatf for communion is proposed to n church, its 
 
126 THE LIFE OF 
 
 most proper meairs of calmly considermg, 
 and, so understanding the matter in disputej 
 
 immediate business is io consult the iscriptaral design oi 
 commuiiioA ; and tben to. consider how far the qualifi- 
 cations of the candidate appear to befriend' and to ho- 
 nour it. 
 
 '^ 12. From the premises, it follows, that to reason from 
 qualifications for communion in the Jewish c4iurch> to 
 those for fall communion in a gospel Church, must needs 
 be unccrtaii) and inconclusive; except it could be first 
 proved, that the revealed design of each was the same. 
 But it requires 110 great labour to shew, by an induction bf 
 particulars, that the design was very different; and conse- 
 quently, that what Would be a suitable qualification for the 
 one, would not be so for the other. 
 
 ' ^ " 13. AVemay further infer, that whdn a'chureh requirag 
 a probable evidence of grace as- the measuring rule vS 
 a4mission, and dicects nearly all its attention to ascertain 
 this point, its proceedings are irregular, unscriptural, and 
 iberefore unwarrantable. The rule of judging, as before 
 shewn, must be found in the scripture, and not in the can- 
 didate.' 
 
 " 14. We may further infer from the preceding observa- 
 tions, that a probable evidence of grace in a candidate, is 
 not ibe. precise ground of the quahfication, - however de- 
 sirable, that evidence may be. Yet, because ordinarity,'and 
 most probably, the absence of s-<tving grace implies the 
 absence of the precise ground of answerableness io the 
 scriptural design of full communion, such probable evi- 
 dence is of great importance. However nice this distinc- 
 tion , may appear to some, the want of attending to it 
 seems to have constituted the chief diffetepce between our 
 author and his antagofiisti;. And, ia fair investigation, 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 127 
 
 ajid persisted in a refusal to atterid to what, 
 Mr. Edwards -had to say in defence of his 
 
 another question, different from what was agitated, onght 
 to have been first settled, viz. Whetlier any person, who is 
 not visibly the subject of saving grace) can ' befriend, 
 rather than Oppose, can honour, rather thdn discredit the 
 scriptural design of full communion?' Fairly to answer 
 this question in tb'e negative, it is not enough to prove, 
 that such a person (iannot fully ansioir the scHptural 
 dpsign. But it ought to be proved,' that no person desti- 
 tute of such probable evidence of saving graicfej in any cir- 
 cumstances whatever, can he found, who might befriend 
 and honour the scriptural design of communion, rather 
 than the contrary. This is the real hinge of 'the con- 
 troversy. 
 
 " id. It is an unscriptural notion; tub much taken upoii 
 trust, that the immediate business of a church, is to form 
 an opinion respecting the spiritual state of a person befor» 
 God; as, whether he is the subject of saving gra;ce — whe- 
 ther he has a, principle of sincerity— whether his motives 
 are spiritually pure, Se:c. Whereas, a church ought not to 
 ac.t the part of a jury on the candidate's real state towards 
 God, but' on his state towards the church. They -are to 
 determine, whether he is, or is not eligible to answer the 
 scriptural ends of such a society, and indeed of that par- 
 ticular church. For, as the circumstances of divers 
 churches may be very different, there may be cases, 
 where the same person may be eligible to one church, and 
 liot to another. In one church* he may promote its welfare, 
 in another hinder it. This may greatly depend on his 
 peculiar tenets, and the zeal with which he may be dis- 
 posed to maintain them. In one society he may be a 
 
128 THB LIFE OF 
 
 principles., From, beginning to end, they . 
 opposed the measures which had the best 
 
 source of disquiet and confusion, bat in another the 
 reverse. 
 
 .," 16. Hence it is evident, that a visibility of saving 
 grace, though it claims the Christian love and respect of 
 the chuEch, does not, in all cases, constitute eligible qualifi- 
 cations. For, whatever has an evident tendency to pro- 
 duce disputes, animosities, and divisions in a church, 
 ought to be kept out of it. But the admission of a person 
 who appeared zealous for sentiments and customs oppo> 
 site to those held by the church, would have this apparent 
 tendency, notwitlxstanding his possessing a visibility of 
 grace, on other accounts. Therefore, tbotigh a visibility 
 of grace, in some cases, may be sufflcientl}' plain, yet an 
 apparent failure in other respects may be snfScient to shew 
 that a person is not qualified for full communion. In 
 short, if the church have good reason to think, that his 
 admission would do more harm than good, he should bo 
 deemed unqualified for membership in that society, though 
 he may be entitled to a charitable opinion, or even Chris- 
 tian love, on other accounts: and, on the contrary, if the 
 church have good reason to think, that his admission 
 vironid do more good than harm, he should be deemed.j'ua- 
 Hj&rf for membership— even though he may be less entitled 
 to a charitable opinion of his state towards God, than th« 
 other. 
 
 " COROLLARIES. 
 
 " 1. Any candidate who appears, in the charitable judgf 
 ment of a Christian church, likely to give a favourable 
 representation of Christianity to the church and the world — 
 to enccQirage the desirous, by bis kiiow^edg[&and tempers- 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 129 
 
 tendency to compromise and heal the diffi* 
 culty; and with much zeal pursued those 
 
 . — and, to give and receive CImstian edifieation in thatcom- 
 fnunioa— is, in the scripture sense, qualified for full com- 
 munion. 
 
 " 2, Personal religion, in tlie sight of God, is to b« 
 deemed necessary only for, the sake of enabling the candi- 
 date to answer such ends, — as far a.a membership is con- 
 cerned ; but, as final salvation is concerned, personal reli- 
 gion is indispensably necessary, this connection being 
 clearly revealed, as well As founded in the nature of thing^. 
 
 " 3. A Christian minister may consistently exercise holy 
 jealousy over some church members, and warn them of 
 the danger of hypocrisy, without threatening them with 
 exclusion from their membership; because only their 
 overt-acts (including sentiments, tempers, and conduct) are 
 the object of discipHne, as they were of admission. 
 
 " 4. Some persons,. though in a safe, state towards Godj 
 may not answer the fprementioned ends pf membership, 
 bsttcr than others who are not in such a state. 
 
 " 6. A person may be qualified for the society of heaven, 
 while <not qualified for full oommunion in a Christian 
 church ; because tl^^ natures of the two societies are dif- 
 ferent, and-consequently the scriptural ends of their admis- 
 sion, into each. ' For infants or idiots, &e. may be qualified 
 by grace for the society of heaven ; but are totally unqua-- 
 lified for full communion in the church. on earth. 
 
 " 6. Were Christian churches to act always on these 
 principles, much bitter, strife and useless discussions would 
 be avoided, in the admission and exclusion, of members.. 
 Fbr, in neither the one nor the other, would the church' 
 pronounce on the statie of the persons towards Qrod"; fof 
 when any were admitted, no bandle would be afforded to. 
 
 G5 
 
130 THE IrlFE OF 
 
 which were calculated to make, a separation 
 certaiii^nd speedy. . Mr. Edwards tliought 
 of preaching on the subject, that they might 
 know what were his sentiments, and the 
 grounds of them, (of both which iie was 
 sensible that most of them were quite igno- 
 rant,) before they took any step towards 
 a separation. But thathe rnight do nothing 
 to increase the tumult^- he first proposed 
 it to the church's standing committee; 
 supposing that if he entered on the sub- 
 ject publicly with their consent, it would 
 prevent the ill consequences which other- 
 wise he feared would follow. But most 
 
 of them strenuously opposed it. Upon 
 -yhich he abstained from it for the present, 
 
 as what in such circumstances would rather 
 
 blow up the fire to a. greater height, than 
 
 answer the good eilds proposed. 
 
 the presumption, that membership below ,i$i a qualificatio;i 
 for: heaven-T— and vphefl any were -e^^cludecl, no occasion 
 woiild be given to the excommunicated person, or to the 
 world, to pasis the censure of uncliaritable;(ies^ ,on tlie 
 church; for every voluntary society has a right io judge, 
 according to its own appropriate rules, who is, and who is 
 -not qualified to promote its welfare,"->-W.— — Edmard^s 
 Worhi, Vol. vii. p. 339-^-342. : 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 151 
 
 . , Mr. Edwaj-ds was sensible that his prin- 
 ciples; were not understdod, but misrepre-, 
 seated through tlie country ; and finding 
 that his people were then too warm calmly 
 to attend to the matter in controversy, he 
 proposed to print what he had to offer on 
 the point ; as this seemed to be the only 
 way left him to have a fair hearing. Ac- 
 cordingly his people consented to put; off 
 calling a council, till what he should write 
 was published. , But they manifested great 
 une.isiness \ti waiting, before it came out 
 of the press ; arid ^when it was publislied, 
 it, was read but by very few, of them. Mr. 
 Edwards being sensible of this, renewed tiis 
 proposal to preach upon it, and at a meeting 
 of the brethren of the church asked their 
 consent in the following terms: " I desire 
 that the j brethren would inanifest their 
 consent, tha,t I shpuld declare the reasoixs 
 of my opinion relating to full communion 
 in the church, in lectures appointed for 
 that end; not as an act pf authority, or as 
 putting the power of declaring the whole 
 counsel of G,qa out of my hands ; but for 
 peace' sake, ;^nd ,to prevent ocQAsiqn of 
 
ISi THE LIFE OP 
 
 \ 
 
 strife." This was answered in the negative. 
 He then proposed that it should be put to 
 a few of the neighbouring ministers, whether 
 it was not, all things considered, reason^ 
 able that he should be heard in this mattef 
 from the pulpit, before the affair should be 
 brought to an issue. But this also passed- 
 in the negative. , - /.i 
 
 However, haviiag had the advice of the 
 ministers and messengers of the neigh- 
 bouring churches, who met at Northamp^ 
 ton to advise them under their difficulties^ 
 he proceeded to appoint a lecture, in order 
 to preach on the subject, proposing to do 
 so weekly tilLhe had finished what he had 
 to say. On Monday there was a society 
 meeting, in which a vote was passed to 
 choose a committee to go to Mr, ESdwards, 
 and desire him net to preach lectures on 
 the subject iri controversy, according to 
 liis declaration and appointment : in conse- 
 quence, a cammittee of three; chosen for 
 this piirpose, .waited on him. However, 
 Mr. Edwards thoiight proper to proceed 
 agreeably tohis. proposal^ and' accbrdingly 
 pre^lied a number of sermons, till he 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 135 
 
 had finished what he had to state on the 
 subject. These lectures were very thinly 
 attended by his own people;, but great 
 numbers of strangers from the neighbour- 
 ing towns attended them, so many as to 
 make above half the congregation. This 
 was in February and March, 1750. 
 
 The calling of a decisive council to de- 
 termine the matter of diiferenee was now 
 m6re particularly attended to on both sides. 
 Mr. Edwards had before this insisted, from 
 time to time, that they were by no means 
 ripe for such a procedure ; as they had not 
 • ye!t given him a fair hearing, >vhereby 
 ipefhaps the need of such a council wou^d 
 ^be superseded. He :observe(^ " That it 
 Was exceedingly unbecoming to manage 
 religious affairs of the greatest importance 
 in a ferment and tumult, which ought to he 
 managed with, great spleninityj dieep ^umi- 
 ■ liatioUj submiss-ion to the awful frowns of 
 heaven,, humble dependeijce on God, with 
 , fervent . prayer and supplication to him : 
 That theEeft>re for them to go about such 
 an affair as they did,, would be greatly 
 to the dishonour of God and religion : a 
 
134 THE LIKE OP 
 
 wky iu which al people cannot expedti 
 blessiiig." . Thus havhig used all means "to 
 brins: them;tb a calm and, charitable tern- 
 per without effect, he consented that a de- 
 cisive council should be called without any 
 further delay. 
 
 But a ditficulty attended thedhoice of a 
 council, which wias for some tinie insuper- 
 able. It was agreed., that/ the members 
 should be mutually elected, one half by the 
 pastor, and the other, half by the church: 
 but the people insisted upoi} it, that Mr. 
 Edwards should be confinqdr to the county 
 ill his choice, i !He thought this an un- 
 'reasonable a-esfcraint upon ihinl)> as it was 
 known that the ministers and churches iu 
 that county almost univei-sally diflfered from 
 him 'in thti controversy; He indeed did not 
 suppose that the business of the proposed 
 ddtfiicil would be^ to detertoine whether 
 his opinion' was right or not'; but whether 
 'ia!ny possible way could be devised for an 
 accommodation' between pastor and; people, 
 and to use their wisdom land endeavours 
 in order to effect it ; and if they found this 
 impracticable, to declare, whether what 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 135 
 
 ought in justice to be done had aheady 
 actually been attempted, so that there was 
 nothing fiirther to be demanded by either 
 of ^he parties concerned, before a separa- 
 tion should take place. And if he was. 
 dismissed, it would bp incumbent upon 
 them to state publicly in w-ha.t manner and 
 for what cause he was dismissed : all which 
 were niatters of great iipportance to him, 
 and required upright and impartial judges. 
 Now considering thegreat, influence a dif- 
 .ference in religious opinions has on preju- 
 dice, and the close connection of the point 
 an which most of the ministers and churches 
 in the county difFe^red from him,, with the 
 matter to be .decided, he did-not think they 
 could be reasonably looked upon as judges 
 so impartial, that the, matter ought to be 
 wholly left to them. Besides, he thought 
 the case, being so new and extraordinary, 
 required tl^e ablest judges in the land. For 
 these reason^, and some others which he 
 oflreiedj.he insisted upon liberty to go out of 
 the county, for.thosie ipembers of the pro- 
 4 posed, cnuncif in which he was to have a 
 choice. The people strenuously'aijd obsti- 
 
130 THE LIFE OF 
 
 nately opposing him in this, they at length 
 agreed to leave the matter to- an assembly, 
 consisting of the ministers and messenger's 
 of the five neighbouring churches; who, 
 after they had met twice upon it, and heard, 
 the ca?e largely debated before them, were 
 equally divided, and therefore left the matter 
 undetermined. 
 
 ' Howevier, they were all " agreed, that 
 Mr. Edwardis ought to havie liberty to go 
 out of the county for some of the coiincH.. 
 And at the next church meeting, (on the> 
 26th of March,) Mr. EcKyards oflFered to 
 unite with'^them, if they would consent 
 that he should choosfe two of the churches 
 out of the county, in case the council 
 cansisted of but tea, churche's. The church, 
 however, at several successive meetings, 
 refused to. Comply with this; and pro- 
 ceeded to call a church meeting and 
 choose a moderator, in order to act with-* 
 out then pastor. — But, to pass by many , 
 particulars, at length,- at a meeting of the 
 eh-urch, convened by their pastor^ May 3d, 
 they voted their consent to his proposal of 
 going out of the county for two of the 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 137 
 
 churches that should be applied to. They 
 then f>roceeded to make choice of the ten, 
 ministers and churches, of which thfe assem- 
 bly should consist. Accordingly the churches 
 were applied to, and the council was con- 
 vened on the 19th of June.^ After they 
 liad .made some fruitless attempts at an 
 agreement .'between the pastor and the 
 church, they 'passed a resolution, by a ma- 
 jority of one voice* only, to the following 
 purpose : " That it is expedient^ that the 
 pastoral relation between Mr. Edwards and 
 his church be immediately dissolved^ if the 
 people still persist in desiring it." And it 
 being publicly put to the people, whether 
 they still insisted on Mr. Edwards's dis- 
 mission from the pastoral office over them, 
 a great majority (above two hundred, against 
 
 One of the dinrches which, Mr. Edwards chose did 
 not see fit to join the couocil. However, the niinistOr 
 of that ehurch being at NorthamptQn, was /desired Iiy 
 Mr. Edwards and' the bhnrcb, to sU in eoiincil and aet, 
 which he, did- But there being no messenger from the 
 church, the council was not full, and there was a disparity ; 
 by 'which means there was one vote more fox an imin^^ 
 diatc dismission than against it. 
 
J38 .>i. THE LIFE OF 
 
 twenty) voted in the affirmative: and he 
 was accordingly^ dismissed, June 22, 1750. 
 
 The dissebtilig part of the council entered 
 their pf-otest against this proceeding, judg- 
 ing ^that it was too hast3% considering the 
 past conduct and present temper of the 
 people. And some of that part of the 
 council who were for the separation, ex- 
 pi^essied themselves surprised at the un- 
 common zeal manifested by the people in 
 their vbting for a dismission; which evin- 
 ced tOithem, aaid all observing spectators, 
 that thiey were ;far from a temper of mind 
 bemrning such a solemn and awful trans- 
 action, regarded in all its circuttistances. ■ 
 peingthusdisiiiissedjMr.Edwardspreached 
 his farewell sermon on the- 1st of July, from 
 2 Cor. ii 14. As also ye haoe acknozviedged 
 us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even 
 as ye also are ours, in the day of- the Lord 
 Jesus. The doctrine he observed from the 
 words was this : " Ministers, and the people 
 -that have been under their care, must meet 
 one another before Christ's tribunal, at the 
 day of judEgment." It was a remarkably 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 139 
 
 solemn rand: affecting discourse, and was 
 published at the, .desire of,, some of the 
 hearers. — After Mr. Edwards was dismissed, 
 Jie .preached at Northampton occasionally, 
 when there was no other preacher to, sup- 
 ply the pulpit; till at lepgth a great. un- 
 easiness was manifested by many of the 
 people, at his preaching there at all. Upon 
 which, the committee for supplying the 
 pulpit, called the 'town together, to know 
 their minds with respect to that matter; 
 when they voted, that it was not agreeable 
 that he should preach among them. Ac- 
 cordingly, while Mr, Edwards was in the 
 town, and they had no other minister to 
 preach to them, they carried on public 
 worship among themselves, and without 
 any preaching, rather than invite hirn. 
 
 Every one must be sensible that this was 
 a great trial to Mr. Edwards. He had been 
 nearly twentj'-four years anicHig that people; 
 and his labours had been, to all appearance, 
 from time to time greatly blessed amorig 
 them : and a great number looked on him 
 as their spiritual father, who had been the 
 balJDV instrument of turning;' them from 
 
140 THE LIFE OF 
 
 darkness to light, and plucking them as 
 brands out- of 'the burning. They had re- 
 peatedly professed that they looked upon 
 it as otie of their greatest privileges to have 
 such a minister, and manifested their great 
 love and esteem for him, to such ^a degree, 
 that, (as St. Paul says of the Galatians,) 
 " if it had been possible, they would have 
 plucked out their own eyes and given theta 
 to him." They had a great interest in his 
 affection : he bad borne them on his heart, 
 snd carried them in his bosom for many 
 years J exercising a tender concern and 
 love for them j for their benefit he was, al- 
 ■ways writing, contriving, labouring; for 
 them he had poured out ten thousand fer- 
 vent prayers; in their good he had rejoiced 
 as one that findeth great spoil; and they 
 were dear to him above apy other people 
 under heaven. — Now to have this people. 
 turn against him, and force him out from 
 among them, stopping their ears, and run- 
 ning upon him with furious zeal, not allow- 
 ing him to defend himself by giving him a 
 fair hi. aring, and even refusing so much as 
 to hear him Breach: manv of them sur^ 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. ]41 
 
 mfsing and publicly speaking many evil 
 things as to his ends and designs — surely this 
 must have deeply aflfected hitn^and strongly 
 tried his spirit. Tjie words of the psalmist 
 seem applicable to this case;: " It was not 
 aii enemy that reproached me, then I could 
 have borne it ; neither was it he that hated 
 -me, that did magnify himself against me, 
 then I would have hid myself from him. 
 But it was THOU — my guide, and mine ac- 
 quaintance. We took ^weet counsel to- 
 gether, and walked unto the house of God 
 in company." 
 
 Let us therefore now behold the man!- — 
 The calm sedateness of his mind ; his meek- 
 ness and humiUty, und.er great and violent 
 opposition, and injurious treatment; his 
 resolution and steady conduct through all 
 this dark and terrible storm^ were triily 
 wonderful, and cannot be set in so beauti- 
 ful and affecting a light, by any descri'ptiori, 
 as they appeared in to his friends, who were 
 eye-witnesses. -vj 
 
 .i^tr. Edwards had a numerous and ex-, 
 pensive family,' and little or no income, 
 exclusive of his salary: and, considering 
 
142 tilt I]I^■*E'efF' 
 
 how far hfe was advanced in yesrsa; this 
 general disposition of ipeiople who want a 
 minister to prefer a young man who haa; 
 never been sktted, to tjtie who< has been ^ 
 dismissed froiji his people ; and whaip mis-? 
 representations were made of hiS.i princi- 
 ples through the country; it appeared to 
 him riot at all probable, that he should 
 ever have opportunity to be settled again 
 in the \vork oft the ministry, if 4]e was diS"- 
 niissed from North'imptofa : and he Was not • 
 inclined, or. able to take any otbeT course, 
 or go into any other business to obtain a 
 livelihood; so that beggary, as well as dis- 
 grace, stared him full in the face, if he 
 adhered to his- principles. When he was 
 fixed' in his principles,>and before^ they 
 were publicly known, he told some of his 
 friends, that if he discovered aiid persisted 
 in them, it would most likely issue in his^ 
 dismission arid disgrace; and the ruin of 
 himself and family, as to their temporal 
 interests. He therefore iirst sat down and 
 counted the cost, and deliberately took up . 
 the cross, wheli it was set befofe him in its 
 full weight arid magnitude; and in direct 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 143 
 
 oppositioa to all worldlr/ views and motives. 
 This- conduct in ithese circumstances, was, 
 thefefore, a remarkable; exercise and dis- 
 covery of ' his conscientiousness ; ' and his 
 readiness to d^ny himself, and: forsake all 
 that he had^ to follow Christ.^ — A man 
 must have a considerable degree of the- 
 spirit of a martyr, to^gb on with the sted- 
 fastness and resolution with which he did. 
 He ventured wherever truth and duty ap- 
 peared to lead, him, unmoved at the threat- 
 ening dangers on every side. 
 
 However, God did not forsake him. As 
 he gave him those inward supports by 
 which he wa:s able in patience to: posses.*: 
 his soul, and courageously row on in the 
 storm, in the face of boisterous winds beat- 
 ing hard upon him, gnd in the midst of 
 opening waves threatening to swallow him 
 up; so he soon appeaTeid for him tin .liist 
 providence, even beyond ^11 his expecta-^l 
 tions. His correspondents, and other frieftds 
 in Scotland, hearing of his .idistoission, andf; 
 fearing it might bes the means of bringing' 
 him into worldly straits, generously contri- 
 buted ia-considerable sufflj and sent it ovbr to 
 
144 THE LIFE 0> 
 
 him.— ^And God did not leave him without 
 tender valuable friends at Northampton: 
 Foi a ,sniall numherof his people who had 
 (^posed his dismission from the beginning, 
 and some who had acted on neither side, 
 but after his dismission 'adhered to hini, 
 under the influence of their great esteem 
 and love for Mr. Edwards, were willing, 
 and thought themselves able to maintain 
 him: and insis'ted Upon it that it was his 
 duty to stay among them, as a distinct and 
 separate congregation' from the body of the 
 t0%n, who had rejected him. 
 
 Mr. Edwards could not see it to be his duty 
 to continue at Northampton, as this would 
 probably have been a means of perpetuatiag. 
 an unhappy cii vision in the to\Vn ; and there 
 appeared to him no prospect of doing the 
 good thete, which would counterbalance the 
 evil. However, that he might do all in 
 hig power to satisfy his tender and afflicted 
 friends, he consented to ask the advice of 
 an ecclesiastical council. Accordingly, a 
 council was called^ and met at Northamp- 
 ton on the 15 th of May, 1751. — The town 
 nu this occasioia was thrown into a great 
 
, PRtSIDENT EDWARDS. 145 
 
 tumult. They who were active in Mr. Ed- 
 wards's dismission supposed,, tliough with- 
 out any good reason, tliat he was contriving 
 with his friends again to introduce himselfi 
 They drew up a remonstrance against their 
 proceedings, and Jaid it before the council, 
 (though they would not acknowledge thein 
 to be an ecclesiastical council,) containing 
 many heavy, though groundless insinua- 
 tions and charges against Mr. Edwards, and 
 bitter accusations of the party who had 
 adhered to him : but refused to appear and 
 support any of then* charges, or so much as 
 to give the gentlernen of the council any 
 opportunity to confer with them about the 
 affair depending, though it was diligently 
 sought. — ^The council having heard what 
 Mr. Edwards and they who adhered to him 
 had to say, advised, agreeably to Mr. Ed- 
 wards's judgment, that he should leave 
 Nor&ampton, and accept of the mission to 
 which he was invited at Stockbridge; of 
 which a more particular account will be 
 given. 
 
 Many additional facts relative to this sor- 
 rowful and jsurprising affair (the most so> 
 
 H 
 
146 THE LIFE OF 
 
 doubtless, of any of the kind that ever liap- 
 perjed mMew^'a^nd ; and-perhaps in any 
 part of the christian world) inigh t be relateid ; 
 but as this more general history of it may 
 be' sufficient to answer the ends propqsedj 
 viz. to rectify some gross misscepresentations 
 that have been madfe of the matter,'^ and toi 
 
 * From ait tliat We hav« beenkMfeto -coUect.'^espeirtmgf 
 this verj,si|igfnlar affair, we are disposed to infer, tlta^tiie 
 precise causes of the differenee^ and consequent senaraT 
 tion, between Mr. Edwards aiid his people at North atnpfoAJ 
 are not sufficieutiy attended iojoir duly appreciated^ That 
 Mr. Edwards waS: very ill used- no nn« can 9^esti9n; 
 but if that usage proceeded .froni ", the passionate ighor 
 ranee of the brutish multitape," fi'dm a principle "' be- 
 coming the diseiples of Ignatius of aL^jfota," a priir^iplo 
 ^ wliieh no phu»oh' of Christ ever avowed j? if it proceeded 
 from " such a ^ind ,of men as the idolaters 'at £{)besus," 
 men who were determined tliat " the business was ro ue 
 bellowed daw6\Vith the forc6 -'6f liin^«," in ii>p)iosilioii^ 
 file ^oiee. ^0 iiie)sl(D]eas and, misdcliii, reason aifd revel^ti^-^ 
 men wfeo '' meditated the ruin pf their pastpr by designs of 
 confusion," 'nieh '' wliose rebellioh a^ded StWborri'llcsS to 
 theiindi^liyi'' men who " -Agreed ' with lies.' and cohttim«* 
 Uef taj>rc>mote'tins mean 4nd;unj«^t ji,esj.;gn,,i4 t^e.tiju^ 
 spirit of injustice and met^ness"— if the pastor of tliese 
 nien Was treated by them with''"''w4JW'srd igilorHnfee', 
 cunning intrigiies, and insolent clamours ;" — in shttft, if 
 t^ipg B^opje pay hctfaSi^y called an/? ungodfy p^ty/'^'and 
 a " licentious mob," coniposiii^ an ecclesiastical .body of 
 4D0V4i' two huhdred 4g!tiiist tweiity^'^k' 'dispiissioAktSe cb- 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 14f 
 
 discover the great trial Mh Edwards had 
 herein, it is) thought best to omit other 
 
 quirer wUl be solteitous to reconcile all this.with the unit 
 vcrsally acknowledged grcAt awakenings, convictions of 
 «n, conversions to God, and the most unequivocal eflects 
 of genuine religion among numbers of them, according to 
 Mr, ^dwards's own account of the matter ; and he was fas 
 from drawing hasty conclusions about the genuincaesa of 
 reUgion. — Towards a solution of this difficulty, we beg leave 
 to propose a few remarks. ' 
 
 , I. In reference to Mr.. Edwards himself.— And if we 
 mistake not, though eminently devoted to God, and a lover 
 of holiness, this great man was not perfectly accurate in 
 some particniarsi. 
 
 1. He seems to have presumed too much on his in- 
 fluence over all the inhabitants of the tovrh in an affair of 
 the utmost delicacy. And may we not add, that hisi 
 recluse mode of living among them (pastoral visits not 
 being included in 'his ministerial plan) contributed not a 
 little to lessen his influence? Whether he- did right in 
 that pacticnlar, and whether the people made sufficient 
 allowance for his motives, are other questions, 
 
 2. The mannerin which the buddings of iniquity, among se-* 
 veral of the young branohes of the people, were counteracted , 
 manifested more of a steady abhorrence of the rising evil, 
 than of prudence, in managing human passions^ To read 
 the list of names in- the manner stated, was calculated,: 
 perhaps,. to cause a ferment, circumstanced as the people 
 were, without supposing them much worse than other 
 societies.. 
 
 3. It does not appear that proper means were sufficiently 
 employed to counteract a risiiig spirit of oppogition, viz. 
 
148 tHE LIFE OF 
 
 particulars. As a proper close to this me- 
 lancholy story, and to confirm and illus- 
 
 ptivate, friendly calls and expostulationg with parents, 
 jprevious to a more open and general investigation. 
 
 4. The time for discnssing the question of right to the 
 Ziord's supper, was peculiarly anfavourable to an amicabl* 
 agreement, in addition to other causes of difference in sen- 
 timent on that point. 
 
 IL lb reference to the pei^le. — ^No one, probably, will 
 attempt to ji»tt^ their conduct; and we hope th^t most of 
 them, if net all, ihad a more just sense of the matter, 
 when the heat of controversy had abated ; a pleasing spe- 
 cimen of which we jihall linsert. However, we think there 
 were some circumstances, which, if duly considered, though 
 tliey do' not exculpate them, yet wall shew their conduct 
 in aifar less aggravated light ihan that in wbicb some have 
 been pleased to represent it. To mention these is but the 
 part of candour. 
 
 1. It does not appear that the parents«f theyeungfiersons 
 defended them, or gave them .countenance, in tbe alleged 
 improprieties of their ^practice. The fairer inference is, 
 that thiey objected ;OBly ie the manner in which they were 
 to be called to au account, and -the right of Mr. Edwards 
 to eKercise. official authority in such eases. 
 
 2. As to their views of the ordinance oftbe Lord's supper, 
 it was by no means a new peculiarity of theirs: it was 
 a long estabyshed custom among them. And this also was 
 nalntedncd by nianj cfaarcbes and able ministers around 
 tfaem. 
 
 3. The true state of the qucsfian about a right 4o com- 
 n^union, has not, we ibink, been candidly stated, by those 
 who bare indulged acrimony in their censures. Wheq it 
 
PRESIDENT EDTTARDS. 149 
 
 tyate what has been reiated, the follow- 
 ing letter from Joseph Hawley, esq. (a 
 
 was asserted that " uncoitv'ejtcd persons, known to be 
 sucli, baVe a right in the si^IU ni God to ihc.Kucrameiif of 
 the Lord's supper," candour will not infer that this is - 
 .teaching " lying and hypocrisy." — ^The true- qirestioa is, 
 What is the desisn of this ordinance? Is it a tonverting 
 ordinance? Is the privilege of partrcipatioir similar to 
 that of attending a preached gospell Or, on the other 
 hand, was it instituted for the use of professed Mievert? 
 In a strict sense of these words Air. Edwards maintained, 
 and we think very justly aiaiittained, the lattier sentiment; 
 bnt his people, as long taught by a divine of no small 
 celebrity, his own grand-father, and the ancestor of many 
 other persons of considerable influence in the town, be« 
 lieved the former. 
 
 Now, supposing the ordinance to be designed by ths 
 institbtor merely as a morai mean, not only of edification to 
 strict believers, but also of conversion to baptized nominal 
 christians ; was not a plan which deprived their oSspring 
 of this privilege, likely to rouse their feelings to the utmost, 
 as out's would be, were any to plead that our children were 
 no longer admitted to sit under a preached gosj>el? A 
 false principle, therefore, betrayed fliem into warmth and 
 obstinacy of opposition, rather than a deliberate love of 
 sin, or a total want of respect to their minister. They 
 erroneously thought that baptism and the Lord's supper 
 had the same design; and therefore, that those who did not 
 renounce the one had a right to the other : not considering, 
 tbat t\^p former is a bond oi general relation to the .church 
 ipiiyersal, ahd the latter a bond oipartidula/r communion. 
 vrith Christ and bis- professing members. 
 
JSO THE LIFE OF 
 
 gentleman who wa*s vfery active in tlid 
 transactions of this whole business, and 
 very much a leader in it,) to the Rev. Mr. 
 Hall, of Sutton, published in a \yeekly 
 
 4- That the people should be considered as more under 
 the influence of a •mistaken principle, imbibed from their 
 infancy, (abd, not opposed by Mr. Edwards himself fori 
 about twenty years,) than tilled with ingratitude and the 
 love uf sin, appears probable from his not (HsGOwring any 
 wisji: to, leave them. His great anxiety appears to haTO 
 been, to cuhvince them of their error in priue^Ui but Uol 
 to leave them as " an abandoned set." More urbanity of 
 manners, aud tbe cnltivation of cbristian meekness, would 
 bave taught them to maintain theiripriociple in a different 
 way ; and a greater superiority of mind, in. examining long 
 established customs by the light of revebition and jbst 
 reasoning, would have taught tbem to renomncc the ver]^ 
 piinciple by wliich they were betrayed. Bn^ while ti^t 
 principle was not renouneed, there was as little project of 
 acQommodation almost as between a Piedobaptist minister 
 ^nd,an Antipsedobaptist church, that rcgcMed tbe principle 
 of milled communion, however exceilciDt;in other respeets 
 the character may be on bolh sides. — And is it not highly 
 probable, that this was the light in.wbich the majority of 
 the convened couucili viewed the matter? They attempted 
 a reconciliation — ^not between an excellent niinister and 
 " an abandoned set" advocating the cause of immoralityj 
 hut— ^between a valued man, minister, and writer; and a 
 Iteopie who, though greatly benefited b^hiS other labours, 
 were not convinced by his reasosiug in' reference to aa 
 institute of religion.— W. 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. J51 
 
 newspaper in Boston, May igtla, 1760, is 
 here inserted. ■, ^_ ■ ^ 
 
 " Rev. Sir " ^^^^^^^^^P^""' ^^V 9, 1760. 
 
 "I have often wished that every member 
 of the two ecclesiastical councils that for- 
 inerly sat in Northampton, upon the un- 
 happy differenpes between our former most 
 worthy and reverend pastor, Mr. Jonathan 
 Edwards, and f the church here, whereof 
 y Oil. were a member; I say, sir, I have often 
 ^j»hai every one of them truly knew^nyreal 
 sense of my own conduct in the affairs that 
 -the one and tbe. other of the.said councils 
 are privy to. .jAs I have longtapprehended 
 it to be my duty not only to humblie myself 
 tefave God for what was unchri&tianaln^ 
 sinful 'in : my conduct before the said 
 councils, bjit also to confess my .faults. 19 
 ihm, &nd,!ttiike. shamP' to -nigisejf before 
 thpin.; iSo I have often istudieid. with myself 
 in wbat manner it 'v^&s practi<;ahle for nie 
 to , dp it. WJb«ij, I understood itijiatyonj 
 sir, ratidSMr* Eittton weje [fio he ^t, Cq14- 
 Sfiiing. at the time- of.th^.iatejf^ifinci^.I 
 resolved to improve the opportunity, f^iljjf 
 
I5S TKE LtPE OF 
 
 ■to open my mind "there to yon and him 
 thereon; and thought that probably some 
 method might be then thought of in which 
 my reflections on myself tDuching the niat- 
 ters above hinted at, might be communi- 
 cated to most, if not -all the gentlemen 
 aforesaid, who did not reside in this county. 
 But you know, sir, how difficult it was 
 for us to converse together by ourselves, 
 when at Cold-Spring, withotit giving um- 
 brage to that people ; I therefore proposed 
 writmg to yon upon the matters which I 
 had then opportunity only most summarily 
 to suggest; which you, sir, -signified would 
 te agreeable to you. I therefore now 
 •undertake what I then proposed, in which 
 I humbly. ask the divine aid; and that I 
 ffliay be made most freely willing* fully to 
 confess my sin-* and guilt to yoii and the 
 world in those instaiices which I have 
 reason to suppose fell under your notice, a^ 
 ^ey were public and notorious ' transac- 
 tions, and on account wheretff, therefore; 
 you, sir, and all others who had know- 
 ledge thereof, had Just cause to be offended 
 at me. 
 
PRESIDENT BI^ITARDS. iXSS 
 
 " And, in the first place, sir, I af>prehen{l 
 that, with the church and peopk of Nor- 
 thampton, I sinned and erred excesMstgiy 
 in consenting apd labouring that. ;there 
 should be so early a disroissioii 'of Mr. Ed- 
 wards from his pastoral relation to us, even 
 upon the supposition that he was really in 
 a mistake in the disputed point:- not only 
 because the dispute was upon matters. so 
 very disputable in themselves, and at tht 
 greatest remove from fundamental, but bc^ 
 cause Mr.< Edwards so long had aipprovei. 
 himself a most faithful and painfnl pastor to 
 the said church. He also changed his sen- 
 timents in that point wholly from a tender 
 regard to what appeared to hinS to be 
 truth ; and had made known his sentiments 
 with, great moderation, and upon great 
 deliberation, against all worldly motives, 
 from mere fidelity to his great Master, and 
 a tender regard to the .souls of his flock, as 
 we had, the highest reason to judge. These 
 considerations^ now seem to me sufficient ; 
 and would (if we had been of a i^ght spirit) 
 have greatly endeared him to his people, 
 and made us to the last degree reluctant td 
 
 nS 
 
154 iS'i rrai Lin: or 
 
 f&tt wkh him^ and dis^osbd usiibih&^e-ker- 
 cfs^of the grea;test candour, gentleness,' and 
 moderation. How much of 'the reverse 
 wh^i-eoifiisfppeared in lis, I need not tell 
 ^««ii,- sir, who were an eye-witness of our 
 itetnper and conduct. 
 
 -■' " And ajlthaug4% it does not become me 
 to pronouftee decisively on a point ^o dis- 
 |)Ul!able as_wh'at was'then in dispiite; yet I 
 ixeg leave to say, that I really apptehend 
 that it is of the highest moment to. the 
 feedy of this church, and to me- in particu- 
 lar, most solicitously to enquire, whether 
 ?ike the pharisees' and lawyers in John the 
 Baptist's time, we did not reject the coun- 
 sel of God against ourselves, in rejecting 
 Mr. Edwards, and his doctrine, whieh was 
 the groundiof his dismission. And 1 hunibly 
 conceive that it highly imports us all df 
 this church, most serionsly and impartially 
 to examine what that most worthy and 
 able dinoe published, about that' time, in 
 support of the same, whereby he being 
 dead yet speakefch. , 'But ther6f^Wi6re thrfle 
 thit^s, sir, especially in my own particular 
 cooductjefore the, first council, which have 
 
been JHi^ly ij^tt;er of great grief and much 
 Sixm^ iq: jn?. almost ever since,, viz. ^^-v^r , 
 ■ «i' lodthe first, place, I confess, sir, tji^t I 
 ^cted very immodestly and abusively to 
 ,yoUj as well, ^as injuriously to, the church 
 {^.inysehi wheii with much zqal and un- 
 becQpging assurance, I moved the council 
 that they \!i';ppld interpose to silence and 
 stop you, in an address you were making 
 one morning to the people, wherein you 
 were, if I;flp pot forget, briefly exhorting 
 them to, a tenderKremembrance of the for- 
 mer, aiFectipii and harmony that had long 
 subsisted between them and their reverend 
 pastor, j^nd<{ the, great comfort and profit 
 which they apprehended that they, hftd re- 
 ceived frpmj his ministry; for which; sir, 
 I heartily ' ask, your forgiveness; and I 
 think, that \5^e ought, instead of opposing 
 an exhortation of that nature, to ;hafye re- 
 ceived it with, a,ll thankfulness. 
 
 " Another particular of my conduct be- 
 fore that ; council, jwhich I now apprehend 
 was criminal, Mn^ was owing to. the want ^f 
 that tepder afiection and revjerei^d respect 
 and esteem for Mr..Edv?a|:ds,w'bicb he had 
 
1^6 THE LIFE OF 
 
 highly merited of m«, was my strenuously 
 opposing the adjournment of the matters 
 submitted to that council, for about two 
 months ; for which I declare myself un- 
 feignedly sorry j and I with shame remem- 
 ber, that I did it in a peremptory; decisive, 
 vehementj and very immodest manner. 
 
 " But, sh-, the most criminal part of my 
 conduct at that time, that I am cj^nscidas 
 ofj was my exhibiting to that council a set 
 of arguments in writing, the drift whereof 
 was to prbve' the reasonableness and neces" 
 sky of Mr. Edwards's dismission, m case no 
 accommodation was then effected with mu- 
 tual consent; which writing, by clear im- 
 plication,- contained some severe, unchari- 
 table> and, if I remember right, groundless 
 and slanderous imputations on Mi'. Edwards, 
 e^ptessedAn hittet language. And although 
 'the original draft thereof was not done by 
 me, yet I foolishly and sinfully consented 
 to copy it; and, as agent for the church, to 
 read itj and deliver it to the council ; wh'icM 
 I could never hav€ done, if I had not a 
 ■wiclced relish for perverse things: which 
 oonduct of mine I confess was very sinful^ 
 
PRESIBEKT EfeWARDS. 157 
 
 and highly provoking to God ; for which I 
 am a^iAed, confounded, and have nothing 
 to answer] ". * 
 
 " As to the church's remonistrance, as it 
 was called, which their committee preferred 
 to the last of the said councils, (to all which 
 I was consenting, and in the composing 
 •whereof I was very active, as also in 
 bringing the church to their vote upon it ;) 
 I wouldjj in the first place, only observe, 
 that I do not remember ally thing, in that 
 small part of it which was plainly expres- 
 sive of the expediency of Mr. Edwards's 
 re-settlement here as pastor to a 'part of 
 the church, which Was very exceptionable. 
 But as to all the reisidue, which was much 
 the greatest part thereof, (and I am. not 
 certain that any part was wholly free,) it 
 was every where interlarded with unchris- 
 tian bitterness, sarcastical, and unmannerly 
 insinuations. It contained divers direct, 
 grievous, arid criminal charges and allega'- 
 tions^ against Mr. Edwards, which,' I have 
 since good reason to suppose, were all 
 founded on jealous and uncharitable mis- 
 takes, and so were really gross slanders j 
 
l^P i., 1 rWE LIFE pF , : ; 
 
 also' inany,>befiy0 ^^iid;fiiie^p«ichfijj-:.#|ar@^ 
 wpoft,; fivers ,of BtIf; JE.di^iiffty^slioMlJjIftiJPWte, 
 and some severe censures of thepj^L inttii- 
 (jr^ii|§j(ely; all- o£;, which, jh^^t ,wl>©lly 
 J^ij^'-and gT<>undless„ jiet^iwew.ialto^tfeei- 
 .ii];^jiece8sary, and ther^for^-bigjIaJycri'tiffiin^i. 
 Jpdeed I a^] fully copviuced, ijiiat tlifc 
 >vholp^. of that, Gpmposore, exc^epiting jhe 
 small part, thereof above mentioned, was 
 ^•^J]y unchristian, a scandsdouis, almsjtvj, 
 injuripus libel, against Mr- Edwj^rdsvajid his 
 particular' friends, especia||yi<^the .jfofiing^ 
 <Ujd highly provoking ^nd, detestafble in the 
 §igbt of Godi for Aiv'bieb: I,jam heartily 
 ^ra;y j^and, 3.sbamed ; and pray I may re- 
 member it with deep abasement and .peni- 
 tence ^U ray days, i Nor do I -no\y J:hink 
 that ,i,l^ churGh'si CQnduct iif refusing to 
 appear, and attend before that oouncilj to 
 support the charges and allegations in the 
 said reii^pnstrance against Mr. Edwards and 
 the said -brethren, which they demanded, 
 ^as ever vindicated by aJt, the subtle- an- 
 swers that were given to the said demand ; 
 nor dp I think that our conduct ,i.ij, that 
 instance was capable of a de£gacie«!,-. For it 
 
PRESTDEN*T EDWARDS. 1:j59 
 
 «ppears to me, that b;^ making such charges 
 against them before the- saicl. Goimcil, w;e 
 Xiecessatilyrsd fap'.gav;e;that council juris- 
 diction; and I own with./saiarojw ansd regret, 
 that I zealously ejjdea.voured that ',,t\\f 
 church should rperseyeringly refuse, to ap- 
 |>fea4", before the saidjcovincil for the, purpose 
 aforesaid ;. which I hiunbJ(f , pray God ,tp 
 ibrgiive. . 
 
 ' '"Another part of myconductj sir, of which 
 If have Icwigt repented, and fp^^whiichl 
 hereby declajemy hearty ,sqrvow:,>was my 
 obstinate opposition to the last couniciJif 
 having any confc'rence with the chuxqhfl" 
 which the. siaid council earnestly and i^- 
 peatedly; moved ibr, and which the church, 
 as you knowj finally denied. I think it, d^- 
 jGovefed' a gi eat, deal of prid^ antl, y&in 
 sufficiency in the, churcbraind shewed theii) 
 to be very opiijionative, especially tl^e chief 
 sticklers, one of whom I was, and think -ip 
 M'^as. running a most presumptuous risk, and 
 acitiiag the : part, pf, proud scorners, jfgj-.us ,t9 
 refuse hearing, and candidly and^sprioiisly 
 considering what that council co^d say or 
 oppose tQ usj among whom there werg 
 
1(50 * THE LIFE Oy 
 
 divers justly in great reputation for grace 
 and wisdom. 
 
 " In these instances, sir, of my conduct; 
 and in others (to which you were not privy) 
 in the course of tha:t most melancholy con- 
 tention with Mr. Edwards, I now see that I 
 was very much influenced by vast pride, self- 
 sufficiency, ambition, arid vanity. I appear 
 to myself vile, and doubtless much more so 
 to others, who are more impartial; and do 
 in the review thereof, abhor myself, and 
 repent sorely: and if my own heart con- 
 demns me, it behoves me solemnly to re* 
 inember,'*that God is greater, and knoweth 
 all things. I hereby own, sir, that such 
 treathient' of Mr. Edwards, wherein 1 was 
 so deeply concerned and active, was par- 
 ticiilarly, and very aggravktedly sinful and 
 ungrateful in me; because I- was not oiiily 
 under the' common obligations of each indi- 
 vidual of the society to him, as to a most 
 able, diligent, and faithful pastor; but I 
 had also received many instances of his 
 tenderness, goodness,'^and generosity to me, 
 as a young kinsman, whom he was disposed 
 to treat in a most friendly masner. 
 
-PRESIDENT SDWAkDS. 1 6 1 
 
 . " Indeed, sir, I must own, that by my 
 conduct in corisylting and acting against 
 Mr. Edwards within the time of our most 
 unhappy disputes with him, aiid especially in 
 and about that abominable ' yemonstrance,' 
 I have so far symbolized with Balaamt 
 Ahitophel, and Judas, that I am confounded 
 and filled with terror oftentimes when I at- 
 tend to the most painful similitude. — And 
 I freely confess, that .On aecount of my 
 conduct above mentioned, I have the great- 
 est reason to tremble ait those most solemn 
 and awful words of our Saviour, Matt, xviii; 
 ^. fVhoso shall offend one of ihew, Sgc. and 
 those in Luke, x. 16. Heihat despisttk you, 
 %c.; and I am most sorely sensible, that 
 nothing but that infin-rte grace and mercy 
 which saved some of tile ■•betrayers and 
 murderers of our blessed Lord, and the per- 
 secutors of his martyi^ Can piardon.me; in 
 which alone I hope for pardon, for the' sake 
 of Christ, whose blood, blessed be Ood, 
 cleanseth from all sin. On'the whole, sir, 
 I am convinced, that I have the greatest 
 reason to say as David, ' Have mercy upon 
 me, O God, according to thy loving-kindr 
 
16a .?*n THE iLlFEtQP»^fi . 
 
 ne»s; according, to- the multitude of tfey 
 tenderkjmiaroies, blot out my transgrps^iojif; 
 wash me thoroughly from, jim^' iniquitj?, 
 aiid'cteaase ime from my sin; for,, I ap^ 
 kiSilKkt^'e my tr>ansgressjons, ^nd' ray sin 
 ^sever before, me.— Hide thy face from my 
 sins, and blot out all mine iniquities : create 
 iQ;iflQfa,;iclean heart, O Cf od~, and renew a 
 right spirit vyithi'n; rae; cast me, not away 
 from; thy presence;* and (take not thy Jjoly 
 Spirit from rae. :; r^tore unto me the joy of 
 tby. salvation, and,i;^hold nie with thy, fre«i 
 8pirit.!;(Psalm,li./l'*-<5» 9—1^,) , j»)|'^c;„ke 
 i !?f And I.hnmblyi^ppfehend that jt^eat^ 
 cot^ceriMf^he chufch.. of Northampton most 
 seriously ;.tO-!e3^*Biine,, whether; thejma^jjj 
 laar^i speeches, , spoken by W^f particulf |^ 
 inBmber«i:fg^n^lJ:heir former pastor,, sont^ 
 of which, tii^ichtmch rei^lly,;countienaneedi 
 (an^>e8pesfetHgf tfeas^.'pppken by the (Qhwr^^fe 
 M'imka&lfi^fi.^hi^Spii^if'^i >' remon§tr^nG?;) 
 3re; nmi ste»)Q4|gu^^a®^i u$i@ji|%,, ^Sata ^t 
 jii*q^cfisBca^ab4»f>of d«fe4ice5>> %'vh^ilgmith§ 
 Msdei^irch MaeaMinit gaUt^. of.aigreaiiiSit 
 iw .^ipjg' ao ;wiiHiiigi;iindl(Ksp^<iki fe, S9 
 slight a: i::£ak^(ltu(:^a|ir.M^$0 ^iJ::^i4> ^ 
 
PRESIDENT J EDM^ARDS. 16^ 
 
 godly a njinister as Mr. Edwards was,; and 
 whether 'ever God will, hold us guiltless^, tilj 
 we cry to him foi"; Christ's sate. to >pai-dpft 
 and sav« us from that judgment whioh;Such 
 iHjgodly^defeds deserve. And I most heartily 
 W*isii and puay, that the towo and church 
 of Northampton would seriously and, care- 
 fully examiaieij whether they have not 
 abiiiidant cause to judge tfatjthcy are now 
 lying uirdaeriigre^-rigmlt in the sight of 
 God ;t and whether tthofe^e. of us Who w<?re 
 ooncernedi in that most awfiih contention 
 with MriEdwdrds,iC^nevisrmofe/;e9.g9|i9rb^ 
 tof»e6tiCr^dfs <fevoui; ainid: biles^ngt tijiiour 
 eyes at'eiD^enedj'a.Dd :we.' become thoroughly 
 convinced that we have gireatly provoked the 
 Most Higte, afnd have been injurious to-one 
 of the best' of men; and until we shall be 
 thorough ly convinced f hat we Kha^fe? dreadr 
 fully persecuted Christ,'%l'perjsecuting aiid 
 vexing that jilst man anBiservant of Clhtistj 
 until we shall be huMifcle as. in (tha.dust cm 
 account of it, and till w.e..openJyj<ih. fisll 
 tetrriis, 'and without BaulkiiignrjCheSirfatter, 
 corifeiss 'the' S^me' before. the w(t)rld,uand 
 most' hu^mbly and !^iiafir£(e^lfts0k>ltogievienes§ 
 
iff4 yfiE tIF£ mf 
 
 of Ged; and do what we can to hohour th« 
 meriiMy of Mf. Edwards, and clear it of all 
 the aspersions wliich we nnjus-tly cast upon 
 him-; since €rod has been pleased to piit it 
 beyond bur power to ask hi* forgiveness. 
 Sueh terms, I am persuaded,, the great and 
 righteous <^od will hoid us to, and that it 
 will be in vai» for us to hope to escape 
 with rmpuBity ia any other way. This I 
 am convinced of withiregard. to myself, and 
 this Way I most solemnly propose to- take 
 ihyselfj (if God in his mercy shallgive mc 
 opfportunity,) that so by ihaking. ftfee coa- 
 ^ssion' to God and man of my sin and 
 guilt, and publicly: taking shame to my«€ii&. 
 I may giv6 glory tp the God of Israel, and 
 dtj what in me lies, to clear: the memory &f 
 that venersble man from the wrongs attd 
 injuries I was so adave in .hiin^tig on hi? 
 reputation and chaj-acter^ ;and I ihank Gq4 
 that he feas been pleased to spare ilny^ife to 
 tiiis ■*ime,'and am sorry that I.have delayed 
 the affair so long.. 
 
 " Alithotigh I ntade the $ubstanc!e of air 
 most all the foregoing refketions in writi^ 
 but not exactly in the same manner, to Mr. 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 165 
 
 Edwriards and the bHethien who adhered to 
 him, in Mr. Edtrards?® life, and befoiie he 
 removed froin>Stoick'bFidge, and I have rea-r 
 son to believe that he, from his great can- 
 dour and charity, heartily forgave me and 
 pray«d for me ; yet becAuse that was not 
 generally known, I look on myself obliged 
 to take further steps; for while I kept 
 sileBce, my bones waxed old,. &c. For all 
 these my great sins, therefore, in the first 
 place, I humbly and most earnestly ask. for- 
 giveness of God; in the next place, of the 
 relatives and near friends of Mr. Edwards. 
 I also ask the forgiveness of all those who 
 ixfere called. Mr. Edwards's adherents ; and 
 of all the members of the ecclesiastical 
 councils above mentioned; knd lastly, of 
 all christian people, who h^a-ve had > any 
 ktifliwledge of these matters. 
 
 ^' I have no desire, sir, tliat you sbQuld 
 make ^ny secret of this letter ; but that you 
 would communicate the same to wh<)rn yo^tt' 
 shall Judge proper : and I purpose, if God 
 shall give me opportunity, to procure it to 
 be published in some one of the 'public- 
 nieWSpapers ;^ for I caBn<3$ tdevise any other 
 
lC6 .^a.'TBE-'LIFE OP 
 
 way of making ikndwsi my sbntiments.of 
 tlae-faileg^iiigGmatitepsVtoiiiil :%h!(i ought to 
 be aaqMriti^drthi^ifewlth } atJ^. tft^efore I 
 thiutoL ought <to tclQit, whatever i^mapfes 
 Lrraiayfifocei^ee; Willi ;bei Tnadst tl^reon^^ 
 JJmbasbJy when iti-eatncs /0^^;Som€ of, my 
 Acquaintance :AvUi proraouinQe me ^u-i^epvei^ 
 run.with vapours; others wiiV^ be furnished 
 \yithmatterfoE mirth and pleasantry; others 
 will cursorily pass, it over, iasr relating to 
 matters quite stale* 'but some, I am per-- 
 suadfcd,. will rejoice .tb siee me brought to a 
 sense > of my .sin and* , duty ; and I myself 
 shall be canscic^s: that Ijhalvg done some-^ 
 thing of whati the nature of the c^se admits, 
 tomiidAUidoing whist i^iaiidiloffghas been, 
 to, my greajbest rfemorsi? and trouble that it 
 was, even dome*' W*' ■■^•^m ;(?-'/•:;(> \i 
 " Sir, I desire. tha^n9.ne would ^teiitaiu a 
 thought iifrpnii-. my ;lha,yiing spoken respect- 
 fjuj^1@fi Mk- Edwards, itltal* I am disaffeqte^ 
 to,jOUK4p^e8ent,j>ftstos.Stf9ri;-|h? very reverse 
 i^ JfjiQ; ,and;IJ^1e!^^irey^jendfe§t0e^, ae^l 
 vMlt>awd lieptyj^^^epjbwpit for him, and 
 bJK^»|frpjj^ i tWt he has,! motwit^jianding all 
 oWlMlWiEthineSs, gjo» uS oae:to^. succeed 
 
JRES-IDENT EDWARDS. 16? 
 
 Mr. Edwards,' who, as Ihave reason tahopcj 
 is truly faithful. 
 
 ' ^' I conclude this. long letter, by i heartily 
 desiring your prayers, that my, repentance 
 of ray sins . above mentioned may be un- 
 feign-ed ajEid>igtenHine,-aiidiSuolai as Godj<in 
 infinite mercy, for iGhifist's sake^ will ac- 
 cept; and I beg leave to subscribe myself. 
 Sir, your real, .tbottgfe very uliworthy. 
 frienrl. and obedient servant, 
 
 Joseph Hawley. 
 
 CHAP.V; 
 
 FROM HIS MISSION tO THE INDIANS UNTII,. HIS DEATH, 
 
 SECT. J. 
 
 .HisiMismn ta the JMianSiOt WftCAO/Virffic. 
 
 If we r%a"rd'Mr.EdW2imS'^ d'dfejJ atquaifit- 
 ahfce ' wifK'' th6 holy sc'rijiiufc^, ^'a^'d the 
 influence of divine truth on his t)^ hearij 
 if we'c6nSd(b^, also, his loAg-Mxiitetierite in 
 the \V6rk of the mimsl^, 'wf^h liiis Wisiposi- 
 tiBtf'to observe the biifefratioii^' 6Pifu«iaA 
 mind"^ 'and' passions," dtifd to ' imprdVe' 'stfch 
 k'liowledge'totlid iiibst pitfitkble |i^r^*dSei^^ 
 
I6i THE LJF£ OF 
 
 we may safely say, i that there were but 
 few men, if any, better qualified to condBc^ 
 a ptssion>t»ong the Ihdiaxis. JBut, on the 
 otbei-'^nd, it may be q-uestioned, whethi^ 
 hi^ reel use tarn, his natural reserve, hia 
 Contemplative habits, and the strong pro- 
 pensity of his mind closely to investigate 
 abstractedly every difficult subject that prer 
 sented itself, were not unfavourable traits 
 fur -such a situation, however beneficial it 
 might be for his own improvement. Mr. 
 Edwards was qualified to shine in some 
 departments of the seats of learning, and was 
 afterwards called to preside over one ; .but 
 • when he was delegated to instruct savage . 
 Indians, there was occasion to suspect a 
 perfect suitableness in the appointment 
 On this, however, different persons may 
 form djiiferent opinions; and it is our busir 
 ness> now to give some account of tl^e 
 appointment, 
 
 ,4 The Indian paission at Stockbridge, a 
 town in .the w«stei:)i part of Massachuset's 
 Pay, sixty miles from Northampton, being 
 ya9ant by the 4ef;th of the Re^. Mr, Ser- 
 geant, theJ^£ij9^i-M ^nq I'cverend comna^iS* 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARPS. 1^9 
 
 sioners for Indian affairs in Boston, who 
 have the care and direction of it, applied to 
 Mr. Edwards as the most suitable person 
 they could think of^ to be entrusted with 
 that mission. At the same time he was 
 invited by the inhabitants of Stockbridge; 
 and being advised by the council, above 
 mentioned to accept the invitation, he re- 
 paired to Stockbridge, and was introduced 
 and settled as missionary to the Indians 
 there, by an ecclesiastical council called 
 for that purpose^ August 8th, 1751. 
 
 When Mr. Edwards first engaged in the 
 mission, there was a flattering prospect of 
 its being extensively serviceable, iindter his 
 care and influence; not only to that tribe 
 of Indians. w;hi'ch was settled at Stock- 
 bridge, but among the Six Natiohs, some 
 of whom were coming to ^stockbridge to 
 settle, brmging their ow;i, and as many of 
 their neighbours' children as they could 
 obtain, to be etlucated and instructed there. 
 For thi$ end, a house for a boarding-school, 
 which was projected by Mr. iS«rgeant, wa« 
 erected on a tract of land appropriated to 
 that use by the Indians at Stockbridge^ 
 
 X 
 
170 THE LIFE OF i | 
 
 where the Indian children, male and fe- 
 male, were to have been clothed and fed, 
 land instructed by proper persons in useful 
 learning. The boys were to have been 
 taught husbandry or mechanic trades, and 
 the girls all sorts of women's work. For 
 the encouragement of this design, some 
 liberal subscriptions were made both in 
 England and America. The general- court 
 pf the province of Massachuset's Bay did 
 mucli to promote the affair, and provided 
 lands for the Mohocks: W-ho should incline 
 to come. And the generous Mr. Mollis, to 
 encourage the scheme, ordered twenty -four 
 Indian, children to be educated on the same 
 footing, "wholly at his cost. The society iil 
 London, for propagating the gospelaraong 
 the Indians in and about 'New EiiglkW, 
 also directed their commissioners in Eost^'ii 
 to do something considerable towa:rds the 
 design. But partly by reason of some un- 
 happy differences that took place amoii^ 
 thosie who had the chief management of 
 this business at Stockbridge,of which'a pat^ 
 ticiilar account would not be prbper in this 
 pla;Ge,; and partly by the brea^king out of war 
 
PJlESltiENT EDWARDS. . 17 1 
 
 between England and France, which is. gene- 
 rally very fatal to such affairs among Indian^ 
 this hopeful project came to nothing. 
 
 Mn -Edwards's .labours were attended 
 with no remarkably visible success while at 
 Stockbridge; though h^ performed the 
 business of; his mission to the good: accept- 
 ance of the inhabi-tants in general, both 
 English arid Indians, and of the commis- 
 sioners, who supported him honourably, and 
 conMed, very much in his judgment and 
 wisdom. However, Stockbridge proved to 
 Mr. Edwards a more quiet, and, on many 
 accounts, a,mycl;i more comfortable situa- 
 tioii than the one he, was in before. It 
 being, in a corner of the country, his 
 timq, was not so occupied with com- 
 pany as it was at Northampton, though 
 many, of his friends, from almost all parts of 
 the land, often iqade hira pleasant and 
 proS,^ble visits. And he hacj not so much 
 concern and tiouble with other churches as 
 he was obliged to ,have whqn at Northamp- 
 ton, by being frequently, applied to for 
 advice, and called to assist in ecclesiastical 
 councils. Here therefore he pursued his 
 
17S THE LIFE OF 
 
 beloved studies more closely, and to better 
 purpose than ever. In these six years, he 
 doubtless made swifter advances in know- 
 ledge than before, and added more to his 
 manuscripts than- in any equal space of 
 lime. And this was probably as useful a 
 part of his life as any. For in this time he 
 wrote the last two books that he pub- 
 lished,* (of'which a more particular account 
 will be given hereafter,) by which he has 
 doubtless gi'eatly served the church of 
 Christ, and will be a blessing to many thou- 
 sands yet unborn. 
 
 ■Thus, after his uprightness' and faithful- 
 ness had been sufficiently tried at Noi^ 
 thampton, his divine Master provided for 
 him a quiet retreat, which was rendered the 
 more sweet by the preceding storm ; and 
 where he had i better opportunity to pur- 
 sue and finish some important work which 
 God had for him to do : so that when in his 
 own judgment, as well as that of others, his 
 usefulness seemed to be cilt ofl^ he found 
 greater opportunities of service thaii ever. 
 
 -* His Treatises an " The Will," »iid on "Original .Sid. 
 
PRESIDENT EliWARDS. 173 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 His Election to the Presidency^ of New Jersey 
 College. . 
 
 During his residence at Stockbridge, 
 Mr. Edwards appears to bave given full 
 scope to his propensities and genius, stimu- 
 lated by his drdent love of truth, and under 
 the controul of a correct judgment. While 
 at Northampton, his avocations were un- 
 avoidably numerous, and scarcely compa- 
 tible with a profound attention to subjects 
 he might be disposed to investigate ; hut at 
 Stockbridge, he found himself in that re- 
 spect more at liberty. After having beeij 
 so long in the ministry elsewhere, his pulpit 
 preparations would require less time than 
 before. His stodies were less interrupted' 
 by company and calls. Former anxieties 
 ivere hdw removed; his mind was drawn 
 more closely to God, from his past expe- 
 rience of the fickleness of men, and thereby 
 became more composed, more enlightened, 
 and more elevated. Here he was led., to 
 investigate subjects of radical importance in 
 morals and theology, and to trace them to 
 their first oriuciples^ And here he pub- 
 
J 74 THE riFE OB 
 
 lished his master-piece of inquiry and 
 close reasoning, l>is Treatise on the Will, 
 which completely estahlished his character 
 as an adept in metaphysical science, and as 
 a fjrofound divine. The celebrity he ob- 
 tained by this work, and very deservedly 
 obtained, had, doubtless, no small influ^ce 
 on the trustees 'of New Jersey College, 
 among other considerations, in looking to 
 Mr. Edwards to become their Presid.enti on 
 the death of Mr. Burr, his son-in-law. 
 
 The Rev. Aaron Burr,, President of New 
 Jersey College, died on th^ S4»th Sept. ] 757 ; 
 andj a^ the next meeting ;pf the tiu&tees, 
 Mr. Edwards was chosen his successor; the 
 news of which was quite unexpected,and not 
 ^little surprising t;phim. He deemed him- 
 self in many respects to b6 so unqualified 
 for the situation, that ihe woridered how 
 gentlemen of so good judgment,, and so 
 "Vvell acquainted with him, as he knew 
 some of the . trustees were, §|iquld, think 
 of him. He had many objpqtions in his 
 own .^mind against undertaking the, office, 
 both from, his ^n^tfless, and hia particulfvr; 
 circnnistances; yet could not- certainly de- 
 
PRESIDENf EDWARDS. 175 
 
 termine that it was not his duty to accept 
 it. The foljowing extract of a letter which 
 he wrote to the trustees,, will give the 
 reader a view -of his sentiments and exer- 
 cises on this occasion, as well as of the great 
 designs he was deeply engaged in, and zea- 
 lously prosecuting. 
 
 " Stockbridge, IQih Oct. 1757. , 
 " Rev. and Hon. Gentl-emen, 
 
 " I was not a little surprised on receiving 
 the unexpected notice of your having made 
 choice of me to succeed the late President 
 Burr, as the head of Nassau Hall. I am 
 nm^- in doubt whether I am called to 
 undertake the business,; Avhich you ha've 
 done me the unmerited honour to choose 
 me for. If some regard may be had to 
 , my' outward comfort, I might mention the 
 many inconveniences and great detriment 
 which may be sustained, by my remoi'ing 
 with i^y. numerous family, so far from; all 
 the estate I have in the world (without any 
 prospect of dispos:ing of it,, under present 
 circumstances,. Ijut with grea,t loss) now 
 \rhen we h^ve scarcely got over the trouble- 
 
IT'S THE tlFE OF 
 
 and damage sustained by our removal Froitf 
 Northampton, and have biit just begun 
 to have our affairs in a comfortable situai- 
 tion for a subsistence in this place; and the 
 e^tpence I must immediately be at to put 
 myself into circumstances tolerably com- 
 porting with the needful support of the 
 honour of the office I am invited to ; which 
 will not well consist with my ability^ 
 
 " But this is not my main objection: the 
 chief difficulties in iny mind, in the way of 
 accepting this important and arduous office, 
 are these two : First,- my own defects, un- 
 iitting me for such an undertaking, many 
 of which are generally known; besides^ 
 other, which my own heart :is conscious of. 
 I have a constitution, in many respects 
 peculiarly unhappy, attended with flaccid: 
 solids ; vapid, sizyj and scarce fluids, and a 
 low tide of spirits; often occasioning a kind 
 of childish weakness and contemptibleness 
 of speech, presence, and demeanour; with 
 a disagreeable dulness and stiffness, much 
 unfitting me for conversation, but more 
 especially for the governftient of a college. 
 This makes me shrink at the thoughts of 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 177 
 
 taking upon me, in the decline of life, such 
 a new and gi;eat business, attended wth such 
 a multiplicity Of cares, and requiring suctoa^ 
 degree of activity, aleitness, and spirit of 
 government;, especially as succeeding one 
 so remarkably well qualified in these re- 
 spects, giving occasion to every one to 
 remark the wide difFerende. I am- also 
 deficient in some parts of learning, particu- 
 , telly in Algebra, and the higher parts of 
 Mathematics, and in the G reek Classics ; 
 my Greek learning having been chiefly in 
 the New Testament. — The other thin^ is 
 this; that my engaging in this busiiiiess 
 will not well consist with those views, and. 
 that course of employ in my- study, whieh 
 have long engaged and swallowed up my. 
 mind, and been tile chief entertainment and 
 delight of my life. 
 
 " And here, honoured sirs, (emboldened 
 by the testimony I have now received' of 
 your unmerited iesteem, to*, rely on your 
 candour,) I will with, freedom open myself 
 to you. ' 
 
 "My method of study, from my first 
 beginning the work of the ministry, has 
 
 15 
 
178 rVTE LIFE OF 
 
 been very much by wijitimg ; applying my-- 
 selfiii this way to improve every important 
 hint ; pursuing the clue to my utmost, 
 tvhen ally, thing in reading,, meditation, or 
 conversation, has been suggested to my 
 mivd, that seemeci to promise light, in any 
 weighty poin* ; thus penning what appeared 
 to me, nay best thoughts, on innumerable 
 subjects for inyown benefit. The longer I 
 prosecuted ihy. studies in this method, the 
 more habituali . it became, and the more 
 pleasant and profitable I found it. The 
 further I travelled' inf this way, the more 
 and wider the field opened, which has occa- 
 sioned my laying out many things in my 
 mind to do in this manner, if God should 
 spare my life, which my heart hath been 
 Heuch upon: particularly many things 
 against ,most of the prevailing, errors of the 
 lyesent day, which I cainnot with any 
 ipatSsiKie see maintained (to the utter sub- 
 verting )of the gospel of Christ) -^with, so 
 Itlgfa a handy and so long: continued a 
 triumph, ,with so little controul, when it 
 tjjpearff so evident to me, -that there is 
 Ipdy no' foundation' for any of thia glorying 
 
PRESrDENT EDl^fARDS. 175 
 
 and insult. I have already published sonje- 
 thitig on. one of the main points in dispute 
 between the Armiiiians and Calvinists: and 
 have it in view, God willing, (as I have 
 .already signified to the public,) in like man^ 
 ner to consider all the other controverted 
 points, and have done much towards a 
 preparation for it. — But besides these, I 
 have had on my mirid ^nd heart, (which I 
 long ago began, not with any view tq pub- 
 lication) a great work, which I call a tlis- 
 tory of. the fVork of Redemption, a body of 
 divinity in an entire new method, being 
 thrown into* the form of a history; con- 
 sidering the affair- of Christian Theology, as 
 the whole of it, in each part, stands in refer- 
 ence to the great work of redemption by 
 Jesus Christ; which I suppose to be of ajl 
 others the grand design of God, and the 
 sumniiim, and ultimum of all the divine ope- 
 rations and decrees; particularly considering- 
 all parts of the grand scheme in their his- 
 tarical order. The order of their existence, 
 or their being brought forth to view, in the 
 course of divine dispensations, or the Won- 
 derful series of successive acts aiid 'eveatg; 
 
180 THE LIFE OF 
 
 beginning from eternity, and descending 
 froxHr thence to, the great work and succes- 
 sive dispensations of the, infinitely wise God 
 in time, considering the chief events coming 
 to. pass in the church of God, and revolu- 
 tions in the world of mankind, affecting the 
 state of the church and the affair of re- 
 demption, which we have account of in 
 history or prophecy; till at last we come 
 to the general resurrection, last judgment,' 
 and consummation of all things; when it 
 shall he ^zid, It is dpne. I. am Alpha and 
 Omega, the Begimiing and the End. Con- 
 cluding my work, with the consideration of 
 that perfect state of things, which shall be 
 finally settled, to last for eternity. This 
 history will be carried on with regard to 
 all three worlds, heaven, earth, and hell ; 
 considering the connected, successive events 
 ^nd altei;ations in each, sofkras the scrip- 
 tures give any light; introducing all parts 
 of divinity in that order which is most scrip- 
 tural a,nd most natural ; a' method which 
 appears to me the most beautiful andenter- 
 t|ining, whereiu every divine doctrine will 
 appear tpgreate&t advantage, in the brightest 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 181 
 
 light, in the most striking manner, shewing 
 the admirable contexture and harmony of 
 the whole. 
 
 " I have also for my own profit and enter- 
 tainment, done much towards another great 
 work, which I- call the Harmony of the Old 
 and New Testament, in three parts. The 
 first, considering the prophecies of the Mes- 
 siah, his redemption and kingdom; the 
 evidences of their references to the Mes- 
 siah, &c. ; comparing them all one with ano- 
 ther, demonstrating their agreement, true 
 scope, and sense ; also considering all the 
 various particulars, wherein these prophe- 
 cies have their exact fulfilment; shewing 
 the universal, precise, and admirable cor- 
 respondence between predictions and events, 
 The second part, considering the types of 
 the Old Testarnent, shewing the evidence 
 of their being intended as representations 
 of the great things of the gospel of Christ; 
 and the agreement of the type with the 
 antitype. The third, and great part, con- 
 sidering the harmiony of the Old and New 
 Testament, as to doctrine and precept. In 
 the course of this work, I find there wil| 
 
182 THE LIFE OF 
 
 be occasion for ran explanation of a very 
 gi*eat part of the holy scripture; which 
 may, in such a view, be lexplained in a 
 iniethod, which to me seems the most enter- 
 taining and profitable, best tending to lead 
 the mind to a view of the true spirit, de- 
 sign, life, and soul of the scriptures, as well 
 as their proper use and improvement. — I 
 have also maiiy other things in hand, in 
 some of which I laave made great progressj 
 which I will not trouble vou with an ac- 
 count of. Sonte of these things, if divine 
 providence favour, I should be willing to 
 attempt a publication of. So far as I my- 
 self am able to judgd of what talents I 
 have, for benefiting my fellow-creatures 
 by word, I think I can write better than I 
 tan speak. 
 
 " My heart is so much in these studies^ 
 that I cannot feel willing to piit myself 
 into an incapacity to pursue them anymore 
 in the future part of m^ life, to such a'de* 
 gree as L must, if I undertake to go through 
 the' same course of employ, in- the office of 
 a President, that Mr, Burr did, instructing 
 in all the langniages, and taking the whole 
 
PRESIDE5fT E£»;WARDS. ] 83 
 
 care of the instruction of one of the classes 
 ill all parts of learning, besides his other 
 labours. If I should see light. to determine-, 
 me to accept the place offered me, 1 should 
 be willing to take upon me the work of a 
 President,,so far as it consists in the general- 
 inspection of the whole society; and to be 
 subservient to the school, as to their order 
 and methods of study atid instruction, as- 
 sisting myself in immediate instruction in 
 the arts and sciences, (as discretion shoukl 
 direct arid occasion serve, and the state of 
 things require,) especially the senior class : 
 and added to all, should* be willing to do 
 the whole work of a professor of divinity, 
 in .public and private lectures, proposing 
 questions to be answered, and some to be 
 discussed in writing and free conversation, 
 in meetings of graduates andj; others, ap- 
 pointed in proper seasons for these, ends. 
 It would be now out of my way to spetid 
 time in a constant teaching: of ,the.lan- 
 guages; unless it be th^ Hebrew tongue, 
 which I should be willing to improve 
 myself in, by instructing others, 
 
 V On the whole I am much at a loiss, with 
 
184 _TirE hint OF 
 
 lespect to the way of duty in thi^ importaftt 
 affair: I am in doubt, whether if I should 
 engage in it I s^liould not do what both you 
 and I would be sorry for afterwards. Never- 
 theless, I think the greatness of the affair, and 
 the regard due to so worthy and venerable a 
 body, as that of the trustees of Nassau Hall, 
 requires my taking the matter into serious 
 coiisideration. And unless you should appear 
 to be discouraged by- the things wliich Ihave 
 now represented^ as to any further expecta- 
 tion from me, I shall proceed to ask advice 
 of such as I esteem most wise, friendly, and 
 faithful : if after the mind of the com- 
 missioners in Boston is knewn^ it appears- 
 that they consent to- leave me at liberty, 
 with respect ta the business they have em- 
 ployed me in here." 
 
 In this suspense he determined to ask 
 the advice of a number of gentlemen in the 
 mitiistry, on whose judgment and friend- 
 ship he could rely. Accordingly, at the 
 request of himself and his people, these 
 gentlemen met at Stockbridge, January 4, 
 1758; and, having heard Mr. Edwards's 
 representation of the matter, and what his 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 185 
 
 people had to say by way of objection 
 against his removal, deemed it to. be his 
 duty to accept the invitation to the pre- 
 sidency of the eolleg*. When they, pub- 
 lislled their judgment and advice, Mr. Ed- 
 wards appeared uncommonly moved and 
 affected with-it, and fell into tears on the 
 occasion, which was very unusual for him, 
 in the presence of others : and soon after 
 said to the gentlemen, that it was matter 
 of wonder to him, that they could so easily, 
 as they appeared to do, get over the ob- 
 |ectio)is he had made against his removal. 
 B\it as he thought it right to be directed 
 by their advice, he should now endeavour 
 cheerfully to undertake it, believing he was 
 in the way of his duty. 'W^- 
 
 , Accordingly, having had, by the applica- 
 tion of the trustees of the college, the consent 
 of the commissioners to resign their mission ; 
 he girded up his loins, and set off from Stock- 
 bridge for Princeton inJanuarv. He left 
 his family at Stpckbridge, not to be removed 
 till spring. He had two - daughteijs at 
 Princeton, Mrs. Burr, the widow of the late 
 President, and his oldest daughter that was 
 
1S5 THEr LIFE OF 
 
 unmarried. His arrival at Princeton was to 
 the great satisfaction and joy of the col- 
 lege. AndT indeed .all the best friends to 
 the institution, and to the interest of re- 
 li^ion,. were highly gratified and pleased 
 with the appointment. 
 The corporation met as soon as they could 
 with convenience, after his arrival, at the 
 college, when he was fixed in the Presi- 
 dent's icbair.ji While at Princeton, liefore 
 his - sickness, he preached in the college- 
 hail sabbath after sabbaifeh, to the great ac^ 
 ceptance. of the heareris j but did nothingr 
 as Presideo4 Wflilesfe it was to give out some, 
 question?: in divinity to the senior class, to 
 be answered before him ; eaeh' one having 
 opportunity to study, and; wi'itCi what he 
 thought pfpper upon them. When they 
 canste , together to answer them, they found 
 sotinuich entertainment and profit, espeo 
 ciallyby tlie light and instruction MriEd- 
 vfardsic.ommunica'ted in what he said upoji 
 the questions, when they had delivered 
 what tliey had., to say, that tfecy i spoke 
 ofii it):with vther greatest satiSfaotrion and 
 wontkxl 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 187 
 
 During this time, Mr. Edwards seemed 
 to enjoy an uucommon degree of the pre- 
 sence of^God;, He told his daughters he 
 once had great exercise, concern, and fear, 
 relative to his engaging in that business ; 
 but since it iiow appeared, so far as he 
 could see, that be. was called of Qod to 
 that place and work, he did cheerfully 
 devote himself to it, leaving ihimself and- 
 the event with God, to order what seemed 
 to him good. YJi-i 
 
 The small-pox had now become very 
 common in the country, and was then at 
 Fj'iticeton, and hkely to- spread. Mr. Ed- 
 wards had never had it;, aaid as iHOculatiott 
 was then practised with great success ifi those 
 parts, he proposed to be inoculated, if the 
 physician should advise it, and the corpo- 
 ration would igive! their consent. — Accord- 
 ingly, by the advice^ of the physician, and 
 with the consent' of the corporation, he was 
 ittoculated February ISth.^ He had it fa- 
 vourably, and it was thought ajl danger 
 wAs ov6r;'but a secondary fever set in, and 
 by reason of a number of pustules in his 
 throat, the obstructioa was: such, that the 
 
188 THE LIFE OF 
 
 medicines necessary to clieck the fever, 
 could not be administered. It therefore 
 raged till it put an end to his life on the 
 SSd of March, 1758, in the 55th year of 
 his age. 
 
 After he was sensible that he could nofl 
 survive, a little before his death, he called 
 hisi^daughter, who attended him in his sick- 
 ness, and addressed her ia a few words, 
 which were immediately taken down ia 
 writing, as nearly as could be recollected*, 
 and are as follow : — " Dear Lucy, it seems 
 to me to be the will of God that I must 
 shortly leave you; th^refone give my 
 ^kindest love to my dear wife, a^nd tell her 
 that the uncommon union which has so 
 long subsisted between os, has been of 
 such a nature, as I trust is spiritual, and 
 therefore will continue for ever; and I 
 hope she will be supported under so greaJl: 
 a >4al, and submit cheerfully to the will 
 of God. And as to my children, you are 
 now like' to be left fatherless, which I hope 
 will be an inducement to you all to seek 
 a Father who will never faif ybu. And aa 
 to my funeral, I would have it to be like 
 
PRESIDENT EDWAUD3. 189 
 
 Mr. Buxr's; and any additional sum of 
 money that might bp expected to be laid 
 out that way, I would have it disposed p,^ 
 to charitable uses.";* 
 
 He said but very little in his sickness; 
 but was an admirable instance of patience 
 and resignation to the. last. Just at, the 
 close of hfe, as some persons who stood 
 by, e?fpecting he would breathe his last in a 
 few minutes, were lamenting his death, 
 not only as a g^'e&t frown on the college, 
 but as having a dark aspect on the interest 
 (af religion in general; ^o their surprise, 
 not imagining that he Jieard, or ever would 
 
 •President Bulr ordered, on his death-bed, (Iiat his 
 funeral should not be attended witli pomp and cost, by 
 giving away a great number of costly Taourning scarfs, &c. 
 and by tlie cpns.nmpfion,c>fsa great quantity of spirituous 
 Jiquors: which is an extravagance that is become too 
 customary in those parts, especially at the funerals of ttie 
 great and the rich. He ordered that nothing should be 
 expanded but what was agreeable to the dictates of chrigr 
 tian decency ; and that the sum which must be expended 
 at a modish funeral, above the nebcss'ary cost of a decent 
 one, should be given to the poor, out of his estate. Itiis to 
 b^ wished and hupod, that. the laudable, example of t^qse 
 itwo worthy Presidents, in which they bear their dying 
 testimony against a practice so unbecdnliing und.bf i^uch 
 bad jtcndency so many ways, may have some good efiFect. 
 
190 1 THE LIFE OF 
 
 speak another word, he said, "Trust in 
 God, and ye need not fear.'* These, were 
 his last words. What could have been more 
 suitable to the occasion ! And what need 
 of more! In these is as much matter of 
 instruction and support, as if he had "writteix 
 a volume. This is the ' only consolalnon 
 to his bereaved friends, who aVe sensible 
 of the loss they and the church of Christ 
 have sustained in his death ; God is all- 
 sufficient, and still has the care of his 
 church. 
 
 He appeared to have the uninterrupted 
 use of his reason to the last, and died with 
 as much calmness and composure, to all 
 appearance, as if he, had "been only going 
 to sleep. ...The physician who inoculated 
 and constantly attended him has the fol- 
 lowing words in his letter to Mrs. Edwards 
 on this occasion : " Never did, any mortal 
 man more fully and clearly evidence the 
 sincerity of all his professions, by one con- 
 tinued, universal, calm, cheerful resignation 
 and patient submission to the divine will, 
 ii^osngh every stage of his disease, than he. 
 Not so much as one discontented expression, 
 
PRESIDENT EDUTARDS. IJ 1 
 
 nor the least appearance of murmuring 
 throvigh , the whole I And never did any 
 person expire with more perfect freedom 
 from pain : not so much as one distortion ; 
 but in the most proper sense of the words, 
 he really fell asleep." 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 His Publications, Manuscripts, and Genius as a 
 
 PVrrtpr. ■ 
 
 Mr. E-dwards was highly ;g§):ejeiji,ed, and 
 indeed celebrated, as an aut^ipr, both in 
 America and; Europe. , His , .p^iblications 
 naturally excite in the reader of judgment 
 and moral (tastfj an .epcalte^.opiijiiop of his 
 greatness and piety. Hj,s ^pik* 1net,-j\j?ith a 
 good reception ih Scotland especi,a.|ly, apd 
 procured fqi", him great esteern and^ppt^use. 
 A gentleman of note. there, forhis^iJiPjeri^r 
 genius and talents, has the follQ\yin^ /ex- 
 pressions concerning Mr, Edvrajds, i,n a 
 letter to one of his correspondents in Ame- 
 rica : " I looked on, him as incomparably 
 
192 TII*, LIFE OF 
 
 the greatest rdivine and (moral*) philoso- 
 pher m Britain oi-vhdr' colonies; and re- 
 joiced that one so emiiiently qualified tot 
 teaching^divinity was choseli President of 
 New Jersey College."-; In another letter! 
 he adds, " Ever since I was acquainted 
 with Mr. Edwards's writings, I have looked 
 upon him as the greatest divine this age 
 has produced." And a reverend gentle- 
 man from Holland observed^ " That Mr. 
 Edwards's writings, especially on the 
 Freedom of the Will, -were held in great 
 esteem there ;" and " that the professor^ 1 
 of the celebrated academy presented their 
 compliments to President Edwards." This 
 gentleman further remarks, that " Several 
 members . of the Classes of Amsterdam 
 gave their thanks, by ' him, to pious Mr, 
 Ed^vards, for his just observations on Mr. 
 Braintrd's Life ; which book was translated 
 fn Holland, and was highly approved by 
 the university of Utrecht. 
 
 Viewing Mr. Edwards as a writer of 
 sertBons, we cannot apply to him the epithet 
 
 •.ThisBHist have been the writer's meaning. 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 193 
 
 eloquent, in the common acceptation of the 
 term. We find in him nothing of the great 
 masters of. eloquence, except good sense, 
 forcible reasoning, and the power of 
 moving the passions. Oratorical pomp, a 
 cryptic method,^ luxurious descriptions pre- 
 sented, to the imagination, and a rich va- 
 riety of rhetorical figures, enter not into 
 his plan. But his thoughts are well di- 
 gested, and his reasoning conclusive; he 
 produces considerations -which not only 
 force the absent, but also touch the con- 
 science; he urges divine authority by 
 <|uoting' and explaining scripture, in a 
 form calculated to rouse the soul. He 
 moves the passions, not by little artifices, 
 like the professed rhetorician, but by 
 saying what is much to the purpose in a 
 plain, serious, and interesting, way; thus 
 making reason, conscience, fear, and love, 
 to be decidedly in his favour. In this 
 manner the passions are most profitably af- 
 fected; the more generous oiles take the 
 lead, and they are ever directed in the 
 way of practical utility. 
 
154 THE LIFE 0¥ 
 
 From what has been .said, it is easy to 
 conjecture,^ that dose discussions were pe- 
 culiarly suited to Mr. Edwards's talenti*- 
 And, as a further evidence to shew whicht 
 way his genius had its prevailing bent, it 
 is. observable, that his. style improves in> 
 proportion to the abstrusity of his subject. 
 Hence, .generally speaking, the productionM,* 
 especially those published by himselfj whieh 
 enter into dose, profound, metaphysical 
 distinctions, seem to have as much per- 
 spicuity as the nature of the case will admit' 
 To be convinced of the propriety of thi» 
 remark, it is only necessary to consult the- 
 Treatise on the Will; a work justly thought 
 by able judges to be one of the greatest 
 effbrts of the human intellect. Here the 
 author shews such force and strength of 
 mind, such judgment, penetration^ and ac- 
 curacy of thotight, as justly entitle him to 
 the character of one of tjie greatest |;eniws«!sr 
 of the age. We. may add, that this trea- 
 tise goes further, perhaps, towards settling 
 the main points in controversy between 
 Calvinists and Arminians, than -any tiling 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 19^ 
 
 that had been written. Herein he has 
 abundantly demonstrated the chief princi- 
 ples on whieh Arminians build their whole 
 scheme, to be false and most absurds' 
 Whenever, therefore, this book comes to 
 be -^generally altende^ to, it will doubtless 
 prove , fatal to Arminian and Pelagian 
 sentiments. 
 
 Though the work now mentioned afforded 
 the fairest opportunity- for metaphysical 
 investigation; yet, the same penetrating 
 tu|-n^ the £^me .accuracy of discrimination,- 
 asd the same closeness of reasoning, 
 distinguish many " of his other produc- 
 tions. Among these we might mention, 
 particularly, his book on Original Sin, 
 bis Discourse on Ju^stification, his Disser- 
 tation on the Nature of True Virtue, and- 
 that cQUjcerhing the End for which God 
 created the World. If the advocates of 
 selfish virtue, and of universal restoration, 
 will do themselves the justice to examine 
 these Dissertations with candoiir and close- 
 ness, they may see cause to be of the 
 author's, mind,; His lother discourses are^ 
 
196 THE LIFE OF 
 
 excellent,? including^ inueh ' divinity, and 
 tending . above most that arc published ' to 
 awaken^ the conscienee of th« sinner, as 
 veil as to instruct and quicken the chris- 
 tian. 'The sermon pteachfed at EnfieW, 
 8thi July, 1741, entitled " Sinners in the 
 hanji of an ^angry God," was attended with 
 remarkable impressions on many of the 
 hearers. In his treatise entitled " An 
 humble attempt to promote explicit agree- 
 ipent, and visible union of God's people in 
 extraordinary prayer, for the revival of 
 rpligion," he evinces great acquaintance with 
 scripture, and a remarkable attention to 
 the prophetic part, of it. 
 . Mr. Edwards left a great number of 
 volumes in manuscript, which he wrote in 
 a miscellaneous manner on almost all sub- 
 jects in divinity. This he did, not with any 
 design that Ihey should ever be published 
 in that form, but for the satisfaction and 
 improvement of his own mind, and that he 
 might retain the thoughts^, which appeared 
 to him worth preserving. Some idea of 
 the progress he had made, and tiie mate- 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 197 
 
 Tials he had collected in this way, he gives 
 in his letter to the trustees of the college, 
 when assigning his reasons against accept- 
 ing the Presidency. He had written much 
 on the prophecies concerning the Messiah^ 
 on justification, the divinity of Christ, and 
 the eternity of future punishment. He 
 wrote much on the bible, in the same 
 manner; penning his thoughts on particular 
 passages, as they occurred to him in reading 
 or meditation 
 
 As the method-he took to have his mis- 
 cellaneous writings iti good order, so as to 
 be able with ease to turn to any particular 
 subject, is perhaps as good as any,- if not 
 the best that has been proposed to the pub- 
 lic; some account of it is here given,'* fbr 
 the use of young students who have not 
 yet adopted any method, and are disposed 
 to improve their minds by writing. He 
 numbered all his miscellaneous writings. 
 The first thing he wrote is No. 1, the 
 second No. 2, and so on. And when he had 
 occasion to write on any particular topic, 
 he first set down the- nupiber, and then 
 
198 THE LIFE OF 
 
 wrote the iSubject in large characters, that 
 it might not escape his eye, when he shouJd 
 have occasion to turn to it. For instance, 
 jf he was going to write on the happiness 
 of angds,, and his last No. \vas 148, he 
 would begin thus — 149. Angels, their hap- 
 piness. — When he had, written what he de* 
 signed, hp turned- to his alphabe:tical table, 
 and under th« letter A, inserted Angels, 
 their happiness, if this was not thei'e already, 
 and then set dojvn the number 149, close 
 a^t the right hand of it. And when he had 
 occasion to write any new thoughts on the 
 samfe subject; if the number of his miscel- 
 lanies were increased, so that his last num- 
 ber was 261, he set the number 262,; and 
 then the subject as before.- And when 
 he had dipne writing for that t!irae,.he turned 
 to his table,, to th0. word. angels;, and at the 
 right hand, g>f the number 149j, set d«wn 
 262. By this means he had no occasion to 
 leave any chasms ; but began his next sub'- 
 ject where he left off his last. The number 
 of his Qi'iscellaneous writings, ranged in this 
 Planner, amounts &) afoovie 1.400. And yet 
 
PBESIDKNT EBWAKDS. .199 
 
 by a table contained on a sheet or two of 
 paper, any thing he wrotfe can be turned to 
 at pleasure. 
 
 The following lines in a poem by Dr. 
 Dwight, entitledi " The Triumph of In- 
 fidelity," may- not be an unsuitable close to 
 our account of this eminent man. The 
 poem is writteji in a strain of irony, as well 
 as the explanatory notes ; and though the 
 descriptions are supposed to b^ given by 
 the prince of darkness, yet most of them 
 are striking likenesses to the originals. This 
 is given by way of complaint. 
 
 " But, ray chief bane, my apostolic foe* 
 In life, in labours, source of every woe^ 
 ' From scenes obscure did heav'o his Edwards call, 
 That qioral Newton, and- that second PauL 
 He, in dear view, saw sacred systems roll. 
 Of reasoning worlds, around their central soul; 
 Saw love attractive every system bind, 
 The patent linking to each filial mind ; 
 The end of heavVs high works resistless shew'd, 
 Creating gUtty, and created good ; 
 
200 THE IIFE OF 
 
 And, in one little life, tlie gospel more 
 Disclos'd, than all earth's myriads kenn'd before. 
 Beneath his standard, lu ! what numbers rise. 
 To care for trath, and jcombat for the skies.! 
 Al-m'd at all points, they try the battling field, 
 With reason's sword, and faith's etherial shield." 
 
 A Catahgue of President Edwards's Works, pub- 
 lished in Eight Volumes, royal octavo^- • 
 
 "Vol. I. — Enquiry into the Freedom of the Will. — A Dis- 
 sertation concerning the £nd fof which God created 
 the World. 
 
 Vol. II. — A Dissertation concerning the Nature . of True 
 Virtue. — The gi'Bat Chiistian Doctrine of Original 
 Sin defended. — Man's original Blindness in the Things 
 of Religion. — An humble Attempt to promote explicit 
 Agreement and visible Union of God's People in e:^- 
 traordinary Prayer. ■ 
 
 Vol. III. — A Narrative of the surprising Work of God, in 
 the Conversion of many Hundred Souls, in and about 
 Northampton. — ^The Life and Diary of the Rev. David 
 Brainerd, with Notes and Reflections.— Mr. Brainerd's 
 Journal, in two parts.-^First Appendix, containing his 
 general Remarks on the Doctrines preached, with 
 thfeir extraordinary Effects, &c.— Second Appendix, 
 containing an Account of his Method of learning tho 
 Indian Language, and of instructing the Indians.— 
 Tliird Appendix, cbntaining his brief Account of the 
 Endeavours u^ed by the Missionaries pf the Society in- 
 
PRESIDENT EDWARDS. 201 
 
 jScotland, for propagating . Christian Knowledge. — 
 Mr. Brainerd'g Remains, containing Letters and 
 other Papers. — iA Sermon preached at the Ordination 
 of Mr. Rrainerd, by the Rev. E. Pemberton, A.M.— 
 Reflections ajad Observations. 
 
 Vol. IV. — A Treatise concerning Religious Affections, in 
 three parts. — An Appendix to the Treatise on the 
 Affections, in two Letters to Mr. Gillespie. — Christian 
 Cautions ; or, the Necessity sf Self-Examination. — ^A 
 Warning to Professors ; or, the great Guilt of those 
 who attend on the Ordinances of Divine AVorship, and 
 yet allow themselves in any known Wickedness. — ^The 
 final Judgment; or, the World judged righteously by 
 Jesus Christ. — Sinners in Zion tenderly warned ; or, 
 the Fearfulncss which will hereafter surprise sinners 
 in Zion, represented and improved. — ^The End of the 
 Wicked contemplated by the Righteous; or, the Tor- 
 ments of the Wicked in Hell, no Occasion of Grief to 
 the Saints in Heaven. 
 
 Vol. V. — A History of the Work of Redemption, con- 
 taining the Outlines of a Body of Divinity, including a 
 View of Church History, in a method entirely new. 
 —Men are naturally God's Enemies. — The Wisdom 
 of God displayed in the Way of Salvation. — Christian 
 Knowledge; or, the Importance and Advantage of a 
 ' thorough Knowledge of Divine Truth. — Christian 
 Charity; or, the Duty of Charity to the Poor, ex- 
 plained aiid enforced. — Seven Sermons on different 
 Subjects. 
 
 Vol. VI. — Some Thoughts concerning the present Revival 
 of Religion in New England.— Five Discourses on the 
 Soul's eternal Salvation. — ^Two Sermons.— Seven Ser* 
 mons on important Subjects. 
 
 Ki 
 
202 THE LIFE, &C. 
 
 Vol. VII. — Enquiry concerning Qualifications for Commu- 
 nion^r— Misrepresentations ooirected, and Truth vin- 
 dicated, in Reply to the Rev. Solomon Williams.— A 
 Farewell Sermon pleached at Northampton. — Result 
 of a Council of nine Churches met at Northampton.—- 
 Fifteen Sermons on various Occasions. 
 
 Vol. VIII. — Five Sermons on diierent Occaaons.— -Mis- 
 cellaneous Obsei-vations on important Theological 
 Subjects.— Remarks on important Theological Con- 
 troversies. — Distinguishing Marks ot| a Work of the 
 Spirit of God. 
 
APPENDIX; 
 
 CONTAINING, 
 
 i. a sketch of mrs. edwards'* life and 
 character: 
 
 ii. a brief account of mrs. esther burr, 
 iii. the life and character 'of the rev. 
 jonathan edwards, d. d. 
 
APPENDIX I. 
 
 A Sketch of Mrs, Edwards's Life and Character, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Edwards, the amiable con- 
 sort of President Edwards, did not long 
 survive him. lu September, 1758, she set 
 out on a journey to Philadelphia, to take 
 care of her two orphan grand-children, 
 who were then in that city; and had been 
 since the death of Mrs. Burr. As they had 
 no relations in those parts, Mrs. Edwards 
 proposed to take them into her own family. 
 She arrived there by the way of, Princeton, 
 Sept. 21, in good health, having had a 
 comfortable journey. But in a few days 
 she was suddenly seized with a violent dy- 
 sentery, which put an end to her life on 
 the fifth day, October 2d, in the 49th year 
 of her age. She did not converse much in 
 her sickness; being exercised most of the 
 
206 THE LIFE OK 
 
 time with violeij't pain. On the morning 
 of the day she died, apprehending that hei* 
 death was near, she expressed he^r entire 
 resignation to God, - her desife that he 
 might be "glorified in all things; and her 
 solicitude- that she .might be enabled to 
 honour him to the last. In such a temper, 
 calm and fesigoed, she continued till she 
 expired. 
 
 Her remains were carried to Princeton, 
 which is about forty miles from Phila- 
 delphia, and deposited with Mr. Edwards's; 
 so that they who were in their lives re- 
 niarkably lovely and pleasant, in their death 
 were not much divided. Thus the. father 
 and mother, the son apd daughter, were 
 laid together m the grave, within the space 
 of little more than, a year; though a few 
 months before, their dwelling was more 
 than one hundred and fifty, mile? apart :-^ 
 two presidents of the same college, and 
 their consorts, than whom it will doubtless 
 be difficult to find fouv persons more 
 valuable and useful ! 
 
 By these' repeated strokes, folIo\ying in 
 quick succession, and completed in a few 
 
MRS. EDWARDS. 207 
 
 months, what a loss has the American part 
 of the christian world sustained ! By these 
 deaths, how much knowledge, wisdom, and 
 holiness, is gone from the earth for ever! 
 And where are they who will make good 
 the loss! — But God is all-sufficient. 
 
 Mrs. Edward* was born at New-Haven, 
 in Connecticut, Jan. 9, ITlCk Her father 
 was the Rev. James Pierpoint, who was 
 long an eminent, pious, and useful minister 
 of the gospel at New-Haven.* She was 
 married to Mr. Edwards, July 20, 17£7, in 
 the eighteenth year of her age; 
 
 Though Mrs. Edwards's entire character 
 will not be attempted here, yet it is thought 
 proper to mention a few particulars, in 
 which she excelled, and exhibited an ex- 
 ample worthy the imitation of all.— She re- 
 Jnembered her Creator in thg days of youth, 
 and became truly and yemarkably religious 
 
 • • He was the elde^ son of Mr. John Pierpoint of 
 Roxbnry, who name from England. Her mother was 
 Mrs. Mary Pierpoint, eldest daughter of Mr. Samitel Hooker, 
 minister of the gospel at Farmingtpn, in Coanecticut, and 
 son. of Mr. Thomas Hooker, once minister of the gospel 
 at Hartford, and famous as a divine tiirou^h ail the chnrclies 
 in England. 
 
208 THE LIFE OP 
 
 at about five years old. In her person, she 
 was comely- and beautiful ; and of a plea- 
 sa-nt, agreeable isoiintenance. The laiv; of 
 kindness was in her tongue; her behaviout 
 was courteous, and her; conduct amiable^ 
 She was eminent for her piety and experi- 
 mental religion. Religious conversation 
 was much her delight; and this sh,e. pro- 
 moted in all companies, when proper,^ Her 
 discourse shewed at once hpr, good under- 
 standing in divine things, a,nd the great 
 impression they made on hcF mind. The 
 friends of true piety, and they who were 
 ready to engage in serious conversation, and 
 delighted in that which was most essential 
 and practical, were her chosen associates. 
 To such persons she would open hf r mind 
 freely, and tell them the exercises of her 
 own heart, and what God had done for her 
 soul, for their encouragement in the ways 
 of wisdom. Her mind appeared to attend 
 to divine things constantly," on all occa- 
 sions, and in every business of life. To 
 the sacred duties of the closet she was a 
 great friend, and took much delight in 
 them. She highly prized social religion. 
 
MRS. EDWARDS. S09 
 
 When at Northampton, she ilsed to fre- 
 quent the private meetings for divine wor- 
 ship ; and even promoted and attended 
 meetings of persons of her own sex only, 
 for prayer and religious conversation. She 
 was not only a constant attendant on pub- 
 lic worship, but also behaved with great 
 gravity and. seriousness in the house of 
 God. 
 
 She paid proper deference to Mr. Ed- 
 wards, and treated him with respect at all 
 times. As he was of a weakly, infirm con- 
 stitution, and was peculiarly exact in his 
 diet, she was a tender, nurse to him ; cheer- 
 fully' attending upon him, and ministering 
 to his comfort. She spared no pains in 
 cbnforming" to his inclinations, and making 
 things agreeable and comfortable to him; 
 -accounting it her greatest glory, and that 
 wherein she could best serve God and her 
 generation, to~ be the means of promoting 
 Mr. Edwards's happiness and usefulness in 
 this way. And no person of discernme'nt 
 dould be conversant in the family, without 
 observing and admiring: the great, harmony, 
 and mutual love and esteem that subsisted 
 
1210 THE 11 FE OF 
 
 t 
 
 between them — l£%t, when she herself la- 
 boured under bodily disorders and pains, 
 which was often the case, she was not 
 wont to be fiiU of complaints, and to put 
 on a dejected or fretful countenance,, being 
 out of temper with every body and eveiy 
 thing, as if she was disregarded and neg- 
 lected; but she would bear up under tiiem 
 with patience, and a kind of cheerfulness 
 and ^bd humour. 
 
 She was a good economist, managing her 
 household afi^irs with discretion and dili- 
 gence. She was very careful that notbii^ 
 "Should'be wasted and lost ; anA often, when 
 she did any thing to save a small, matter,, or 
 directed henr children to do so, or saw them 
 wasi^ any thing, she would ; inention the 
 words of ouir Saviour, "that riatMng-belost;'' 
 which, she said, she often thought of, as 
 i&daimsm^ a maxim worth remembering; 
 especially when considered as the reaison 
 ^hy his. disciples should gathev up the frag- 
 ments. She took almost the entire charge 
 of the t^hapocal affairs of the &inily, widi- 
 out doors and' within; in thiis she was pe- 
 culiarly suited to Mv. £dwards's.dai&p(Ksitia]i, 
 
mus. edwakds. Sll 
 
 ■who chose to have as little care as possible 
 of any. worldly business. 
 
 She had an excellent way pf governing 
 her cbildreji ; she knew how to make them 
 regard and obey her cheerfully, without 
 loud,, angry words, much less heavy blows. 
 She seldom struck her children;, and in 
 speaking to them adopted mild, gentle, and 
 pleasant terms. If any correction was 
 needful, it was not her manner togive it in 
 a passion. And when she had occasion to 
 reprove and rebuke, she would do 14; in few 
 words, without warmth an,d noise, but with 
 all calmrcess and gentleness of m^ind. In 
 her directions or reproofs, in matters of im?- 
 portanoe, ^e would address herself to the 
 reason of her ichildTen, that they might not 
 pnly know her inclination! and will, hist at 
 the same time be convinced: of the propriety 
 of them. She had occasion to sp^ak but 
 once; she was cheerfully obeyed; mur- 
 muring and aaswefing again< "were not 
 known among them. And the kMidnand 
 gentle tr^tment they had from their 
 mothCT, whilfe she strictly and pnnctually 
 maiataijned her parental aatkoiil^y seemed 
 
^12 THE Lli^E OF 
 
 naturally to generate and promote a filial 
 respect j and to lead them to a mild, tender 
 treatment of each oth^r. Quarrelling and 
 contention^ which too frequently take 
 place among children, were not known 
 among them. She carefully observed the 
 first appfeftrances of resentment and ill-will 
 towards any in her young children ; and did 
 not connive at them, as many who have the 
 charge of such do, but was careful to show 
 her displeasure, and suppress them to the 
 utmost; though not by angry words, which 
 often provoke childrett to wrath, and stir up 
 tfieir- irascible passions, rather than abate 
 them. ■ Being thoroughly sensible that, in 
 many ■ respects, the chief care of forming 
 children by government -and instruction, 
 naturally lies onraothers; (as they are 
 most with *heir children at an. age when 
 they commonly, receive impressions' by 
 vfehiBh they are very much formed for life j) 
 she was extremely solicitous to do her part 
 in: tibis. important business.. When she.met 
 with any .special, difficnlty in this matterj 
 or foresaw any, she was wont to apply to 
 Mr.:&iw,ard$ for advice and assistance ; and 
 
MRS. EDWARDS. 213 
 
 on such occasions they would both attend 
 to it,- as a concern of great importance. 
 
 But this was not the only way in which 
 she expressed her care .for her offspring. 
 She thought that parents have a<gre^t and 
 important duty, to discharge towards their 
 children, before they are capable of govern- 
 ment and instruction. She, therefore, con- 
 stantly, and earnestly prayed for them, and 
 bore them on her: heart before God, in all 
 her secret and most solemn addresses . to 
 him; and that even before they were born. 
 The prospect .of becoming the mother of a 
 rational, immortal creature, was sufficient 
 to lead her to bow before God daily- for 
 his blessing on it; even redemption, and 
 eternal life . by Jesus . Christ. So that 
 through all the pain, labourj- Jind sorrow,, 
 which attended her asithe mother of chil- 
 dren, she was in travail for them,, that 
 they might be born of God. 
 
 As the law of kindness M«ras in hpr tongae, 
 so her hands were not withheld from bene- 
 ficence and -charity. She was always a 
 friend and patroness of the poor and help- 
 less; and ^bounded mtich in acts of bene- 
 
214 THB LIFE OF 
 
 volence, as well as in recommewding them 
 to others on all proper occasioiis. She was 
 remarkable for her ikindness to. the friends 
 and visita)nts; who resorted to Mr. Edwards; 
 paring iiio pains to make them welcome^' 
 aad : to. provide for their convenience. She. 
 was also peculiarly attentive to strau^^^ 
 who came to her house. She soon got 
 acquainted with them, and shewed such' 
 concern for their comfort, and so kindly 
 offered what she thought they needed, as 
 totiiactxverthdt she knew the heart of a 
 strangec, and well understood how to do it 
 good. Her gueslswere thus made to feel in 
 some measure as if .they were at home. 
 
 She madeiit a rule -to;speak well of all, 
 soffar as she could with -truth and justice. 
 She w^ not wont to dwell with delight on 
 the imperfections of any ^ and when she 
 heasd.rpersons ispeaking ill (rf^ others, she 
 would say what she thou^it she could,- with 
 tfuthiand justice, in their excuse; or divert 
 the dbloquy !by. mentioning those things 
 that were commendable in them. Thusshe 
 wa»(ieftder .of every jone'scharacter, even of 
 theic's who injured and spoke evil.of her; 
 
MKS. EDWARDS. 215 
 
 and carefully guarded against. the too com- 
 mon vice of evil-speaking and backbiting. 
 She could bear injuries and reproaches with 
 great patience, withont any disposition to 
 render evil for evil; but on >;thie contrary, 
 was ready to pity and forgive those iwhoi^ 
 appeared to be her enemies. 
 
 She had long told her .intimate friendji 
 that she had, after continued struggles and 
 exercjsesj obtainied, by God's grace, an 
 habitual willingness to die herself,, or p^tt 
 with any of her nearest relatives; that she 
 was willing to bring forth children for 
 death ; and resign him whom she esteemed 
 so great a blessing to herself and her family, 
 her nearest partner, whenever God should 
 see fit to take him. And when she had 
 her greatest trial, in the death of Mr. 
 Edwards, she found the help and comfort 
 of such a disposition. ' Her conduct on this 
 occasion was such as to excite the admira- 
 tion of her friends : it discovered that she 
 was sensible of the great loss which she 
 and her children had sustained in his de- 
 cease ; and at the same time shewed, that 
 she was submissive and resigned, and had 
 
216 THft LIFE OF 
 
 those invisible supports which enabled her 
 to trust in God with calmness, hope, and 
 humble joy. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Edwards lived together in 
 the married state above thirty years ; in 
 which time they had' eleven children, three 
 sons and eight daughters. The second 
 daughter died Feb. 14, 1748, of whom 
 there is sonie account in Mr. Edwards's 
 Life of firainerd. The third daughter was 
 Mrs. Burr, the wife of President Burr, 
 already mentioned. The youngest daughter, 
 Elizabeth, died soon after her parents. 
 
HRS. BURR. ' SI7 
 
 APPENDIX 11. 
 
 A brief Account of Mrs. Esther Burr, President 
 Edwardsi's Daughter 
 
 Mrs. Burr and her children were inocu- 
 lated at the same time that her father was, 
 and had recovered when he died. But 
 after she Was perfectly restored,' to all 
 appearance," she was suddenly seized with a 
 violent disorder, which carried her off in a 
 few days; and to which the physician said 
 he could affix no name but that of a mes- 
 senger sent, suddenly to call her out of the 
 world.* She died April 7, 1758, sixteen 
 
 * Though the physician ho»e this testimony, yet per- 
 haps, the greater probability is, on cool reflection, that 
 some noxious humours had still remained in her constitu- 
 tion, as a predisposing cause of the " violent disorder." 
 However this may be, the case of her father is a decided 
 one ; that alarming disease, the Small Pox, in |he mildest 
 form in wKicbh can be administered, proved fatal to him, 
 and indeed to thousands more. Inoculation is undoubtedly- 
 
 L 
 
^18 THE: LIFE Of 
 
 daj's after her father, in tlie twenty-seventh 
 year of her age. She was married to 
 Mr, Burr, June 29, 1752. By him she 
 had two clMklE^i,,a-S!OB. and a dau2'hter. 
 If Mrs. Burr exceeded most of her sex in 
 the beauty of her person, as well as in her 
 behaviour and conversation ; and she disco- 
 ^eyed? an iiiB^flfecl^, natural fre^ouft. to- 
 wards persons of all rattfe, with whom she 
 conversed. Her genius was mii.ql> more 
 than cominon. Slije. had a lively, sprightly 
 imagination, a quick and peojetrating, 
 thought, and a good judgment. She had 
 a" peculiar smartness in her make, and 
 temper, which yet was coosistent with 
 pleasantness and goodiiia.ti(ii;9; fwd^ she 
 
 the safest mode of reofsiving the infectjoD, as iunnmerable 
 experiments evince ;-^but we are gtatefdl 'and* happy to 
 riemark, that, Prpy-ideuqe hath ^ now. she»vnriisr:." a move ex<- 
 cellcnt way." We rejoiee tliat the Vaccine luoculatioa 
 gains flip coflfitlenqe of the,^uj)lic, thraugh.ajg^t part of 
 the world, in prppprtlQn.toJhft gjcji^ipg e^tent,of.p.ractic^ 
 And surely thos? >«lio, occupy ppst§ of .ii»flnencp,j whether 
 in the state oj- in jbe chnrchv.desei-ve well of both, Q^mau- 
 kind in gjenpra,!, and of ppsteiity, whjlp tli^fiqiprpye that 
 iirfhjipuce., .in whatever foim, towards er^dic^^g thai; 
 odjpjjs.aujl fatal, disorclei', the Small Pox,. by, a. saCe a»d 
 easy substitate. — W. 
 
MRS. BURR. 219 
 
 knew how to be agreeable and fao^tioas 
 without trespassing on the bf uilds of gra^ 
 vity, or strict- and seriouis religion". In 
 shorty she Seemed formed to pl«ase, a«d 
 e^jecially to p^lea^s^ one of Mr. Burr's taste 
 and tajlents. But that which crowned all hei 
 excellencies, and formed her chief glory,, 
 was RELIGION. She appeared to be th6 
 subject of divine impressions? when seven 
 m* eight years old ; and she made a public 
 profession of religion when about fifteen. 
 Her conversation, until her .death, was 
 exemplary, and as becometh godliness. 
 But as heu religious sentiments and ex- 
 ercises will best be understood by thoscJ 
 who were strangers to her, from her ov/ti 
 wordSj we shall present our readers with a 
 few extracts : the following ai-e made frOiii 
 letters which she wrote riot long before 
 her de^h. — The first is an extract from 
 a letter she Wft«Ce to hef mother, n&t' long 
 after Afr. Burr's death, dated at Priricetdii, 
 October 7, 1757. After giving some ac- 
 edunt ef Ml'. Burr's death', and repi-esenting 
 the sense she had of the magnitude of the 
 
220 THE LIFE OF 
 
 loss she and her children had • sustained 
 she writes in the following words : 
 
 "No doubt, dear madam, it will be somis 
 comfort to you to hear, that God has not 
 utterly forsakenj although he has cast down. 
 I- would speak' it to the glory of God's 
 name, that I tliink he has in an uncommon 
 degree discovered himself to be an all- 
 ^ufficient God, a full fountain = of Tall good. 
 Althougli all streams were- cut off, yet the 
 fountain is left full, — I think I have bieen 
 enabled to ca«t my care upon him, and 
 
 • Great indeed was the loss wliicli these children, sos- 
 taiired by jthe death of both parents, the gaide of their 
 tender childhood, and the dangerous period of their youth, 
 in the patlis of wisdom. Professor Burr's daughter luarried 
 Topping Reeve, esq. an eminent lawyer at Litchfield, in 
 the state of Connecticut, who bebame one of thejustices of 
 the superior court; a very sensible, wortbyrinauj and a 
 steadfast frieiid io religion; manifesting a cdtf^cieHtio'iiis Sense 
 of duty, and being miich esteemed. Mrs. Reeve was a 
 fvoman «f supierior understaViding and accompUshmcilts. 
 She died several years since, after having iong laboured 
 uiider peculiar feebleness of Constitution, and much disease. 
 They left one son, who was educaXed in Yale College. — 
 The son of Prf»ident Burr, nottrithstanding so great a 
 loss, rose indeed. to Worldly honours that by some would 
 be' deemed flattering, as Vice-President of the United 
 States. But if he had a serious attachment to Christianity, 
 
MRS. BURR. 221 
 
 have found great pieace and calm in my 
 mind, such as .this world cannot give or 
 take. — I have had uncommon freedonj, and 
 nearness to the thron6 of grace. God has 
 seemed sensibly near in such a supporting 
 and comforting manner, that I think I 
 have never experienced the like. God has 
 helped me to review my past and present 
 mercies, with some heart-affecting degree 
 ,.of thankfulness. 
 , " i think God has given me such a sense 
 .of the vanity of the world, and uncertainty 
 of all sublunary enjoyments, as I never had 
 
 or influentially believed the. grand tratlis for which liis 
 worthy ancestors and relatives, have benevolently con- 
 tended, and some of whon, to their honour, do still contend, 
 could be have sanctioned the cruel, the savage practice of 
 duelling i The principles of infidelity, as all other prin- 
 ciples, are known by their fruits ;, fhcy originate,- like 
 every other vice, in our perverted, fallen nature; and 
 easy is the transition from these principles to practices 
 the most licentious and baneful. " From whence come 
 Wars and fightings among you," says a plain but wise 
 man ; " come they not hence, even of your lusts, &c. V 
 Jam. iv. 1— iO. WTien any rfates, as suph, notoriously- 
 and shamefully connive at crimes which their own laws 
 pronounce worthy of capital punishment, the smiles of 
 lieaveu must be expected on other grounds, and obtained^ 
 if obtained at all, ibr the sake of men diametri''»tiv nnnn. 
 site in principle and practice.— W. 
 
222 THE LIFE OF 
 
 before. The world vanishes out of my 
 sight! Heavenly and eternal things appear 
 much more real and important than ever 
 before., I feel myself to be under much 
 greater obligations to be the Lord's thaa 
 before' this sore affliction. The way. of sal- 
 vation by faith in Jesus Christ has ap- 
 peared more clear and excellent j" and I 
 have been constrained to venture my all 
 upon him ; and have found great . peace 
 of sou], in what I h9pe have been act- 
 ings , of faith. Some parts of the Psalms 
 have been very comforting and refreshing 
 to my soul. I hope God has helped me 
 to eye his hand in this awful distpgR^ation ; 
 anfl to see the infinite right' hei has to 
 his own, and to dispose of them as lie 
 
 ; ^' Thus, dear madam, I have given you 
 ^ome broken hints of the exercises ai:^ 
 supports of my mind, since the death of 
 fcim, whose memory and example will ever 
 ■fee precious to me as my own lifip. — O dear 
 mada.i;n ! I doubt not but I have your, and 
 my honoured father's prayers daily ^r me; 
 bnt^lve me leavq to in.treat yon bpt|i io 
 
•MRS. BURR. S2S 
 
 request 'earnesfely of '|:he LoW tliat I mmy 
 iieyer d«spis6 Ms chastening^', nor faint 
 undet! this his seSici'e stroke; \thiEh I aM 
 sensible there is great danger of, if God 
 should only deny; ftie the Supports that he 
 has hitherto; graciously granted. 
 - ^' O, I am afraid I shall condisftit u^jtselif 
 «o,as to teii3(g dishonour on niy, G©d, and 
 the.iisligion which I profes? ! No, rather 
 let me die ttiis moment, than be left to 
 bring dishonour on God's holy name. — I 
 am overcome — I must conclude with oni*e 
 more begging, that as my dear ^parents 
 tertiember themselves, they woiild not for- 
 get their; greatly afflicted daughter »(n3a(# 
 a lonely widow) nor her fatherless ehil^ 
 dreni My duty to my ever dear and htst 
 noured parents, love to my bi'othetB aftd 
 sistera. Fronl, deal- toadam, your dutiftd 
 smd affectioaa;te daughiei^; ^ 
 
 ■ . "Esther Burr."> 
 
 The following ■letter,'' syddressed to het 
 father, was written soon after; it is dated 
 Princeton, I'fibvem'ber ad, 1757 : '■ 
 
 " Hdnoured sir, your most affectionate, 
 comforting letter by my brother 
 
,224 THE LITE O* 
 
 * / 
 
 was exceedingly refreshing t;o me, although 
 I was something clamped by hearing that I 
 should not see you until spring.* But it 
 is my comfort iri this disappointment, as 
 well as under all my afflictions, that God 
 knows what is best for me, and for hi? own 
 glory* Perhaps I doted too much on the 
 company and conversation of such a near, 
 and dear affectionate father and guide. I 
 cannot doubt but all is for the best, ahd 
 I am satisfied that God should order the 
 affair of your removal as, shall be for his 
 glory, whatever comes of me. 
 
 " Since I wrote' my mother's letter, God 
 has carried liae through', new trials, aind 
 given me new supports.. My little son has 
 been sick with a slow fever, ever since my 
 brother left us, and has been brought to 
 the brink of the grave, but I hope in mercy 
 God is bringing, him up again. I was 
 en^bl^d to resign the child (after a severe 
 struggle with nature) with the greatest 
 
 • When Mr. Edw'ardsiwrote the letter she refers to,, he 
 did not tiiiuk. of going to Princeton till .spring ;. but be 
 afterwards determiucd otherwine, and went iii January, aa 
 before stated. 
 
MRS. BURR, 225 
 
 fveedom. God shewed me that The child 
 was riot ipy own, hut his ; and i that he hadj 
 a right to recall what he had lent, ^^h,eneve^ 
 he thought fitj and I had no reason tp 
 complain, or say God was bard with me. 
 This silenced me. 
 
 " But' O, how good is God! He not 
 only kept me from complainings hot com- 
 forted, by enabling me to offer up the 
 child by faith, if ever I acted faith. I saw 
 the fulness there was in. Christ for little 
 infants, and his willingness to accept of 
 such as were offered to him. Suffer little 
 children to come unto me, and forbid them 
 not, were comforting ,words. God also 
 shewed nie in such a lively manner, the 
 fulness there is in himself of all spiritual 
 blessings, that I said, Although all streams 
 were cut off, yet so long as my God lives, 
 I have enough. He enabled me to say, 
 Although thou slay me, yet will I trust in 
 .thee. • 
 
 " In this time of trial, I was led to. enter 
 into a renewed and explicit covenant with 
 God, in a more solemn manner than ever 
 
 1,5 
 
425 THE LIFE OF 
 
 before ; and with the greatest freedom and 
 dielight. After much self examination and 
 prayer, I gave up myself and ghildjen to 
 ©od^ewith my whole heart. Never until 
 now, had I a sense of the privilege we are 
 allowed in covenanting with God! This 
 act! of soul left tny mind in a qiiiet and 
 steady trust in God. ' ' 
 
 '*' A few days after this, one eveningi,.in 
 talking of the glorious state my dear de- 
 parted husband' must be in, 'my soul was 
 carried out in such longing desires after 
 this glorious statcj that I was forced to 
 retire from the family to conceal my joy. 
 Wheti alone, I was sa transported, and my 
 soiil carried out in saach eager desires after 
 perfection, and the full enjoyment of God^ 
 and to serve bim uninterruptedly, that I 
 think my tnature would not have borne 
 much more. I think, dear sir, I had, that 
 nia'ht, a foretaste of hesivcn. This frame 
 continued in some good degree the whole 
 night, i' slept but littkj arid when T did, 
 itty'ti^eaimswereal'l of lieavenly aiid divr»e 
 tfeisgl. Frequently e^ee, 1 have Mt the 
 
Mrs. BtRR'. QQ7 
 
 same in kind, though not in degree. Thus 
 a kind and gracious God has been with me 
 in six troubles, and in seven. 
 
 " But Oi'iki #bat cai4e of Meep humi- 
 liation and abasement of soul have I, on. 
 account of remaining corruption; which 
 I see '(firorking cont|nually,, especially pride! 
 
 now many shapes does pride clbke itself 
 in! Satan is'also busy shooting his darts; 
 but, bidssfcd b6' Gody those temptations d£ 
 hisy that used td overthrow aa'Cids gret.have 
 not touebed.me I O, to be delivered from 
 the phiffer M' Safeln,,ag well as from .sin J 
 
 1 canKot liielp hoping that the time is near. 
 Goidi is e^rtambjr. fittiag me for ., himself; 
 amd when I thsnk it win be soon that I 
 shall be called henccj ,the itheught is trans- 
 portmg." 
 
22§ THE LIFB OF 
 
 APPENDIX in. 
 
 A Sketch of the Life and Character of the JRec. 
 Jonathan Edwards, D. D.^ 
 
 Jonathan Edwards, junior, D. D.' Pre- 
 sident of Union College in Schenectady, 
 was the second sbn< of his parents, andj was 
 born at Northampton, May 36, 1745. ' In 
 his early childhood he appeared a boy of 
 great expectation; but, however promising 
 his capacity, and however ambitious he 
 might be of excelling at that age, when 
 the mind begins to unfold itself, this period 
 of his life was attended with a number of 
 singularly embarrassing circumstances, the 
 tendency of which was to repress his exer- 
 tion, and to discourage his mind. He was 
 afflicted with an inflammatory weakness in 
 his eyes, which almost entirely prevented 
 his learning to read, until a much later 
 period than is common. This weakness 
 
DR. EDWARDS. 225 
 
 resisted many and long continued medical 
 applications. At length, by the shaving of 
 his bead, often repeated, and for long con- 
 tinuance, the inflammation in some degree 
 abated; so that he was able to apply, in a 
 moderate degree, to the rudiments of learn- 
 ing, and to revive in his anxious parents 
 the hope, tthat he would not be entirely 
 lost even to the literary world. It was 
 during his childhood also, that the unhappy 
 contest at Northampton rose to its height, 
 between his father and the church there, 
 which terminated in a final separation ; 
 whereby the assiduous attention of his 
 affectionate parents was necessarily niueh 
 diverted from hinr. 
 
 When Mr. Edwards and; his family re- 
 moved from Northampton to Sto'ckbridge, 
 his son was but six years old. In addition 
 to the discouragements already mentioned, 
 new and considerable difficulties attended 
 him while at iStotkbridge. There was no 
 school in the settlement, but one which 
 wa,s common to the Indian children and the 
 white people; and there were so few. of 
 the latter; either in the school:;or the town, 
 
S39 .TKEEIFE Of 
 
 that he was in danger of forgetting entirely 
 the English/ tongue. V-HoWeveEj! whilst at 
 school here, he leal-nedisbe lan^iaage of thd 
 Mohekaiaeiew,' or Stockbridige; Indians, sO 
 perfectly, that the natives frequently ob- 
 served *' that he spoke exactly like an 
 Indian." This* language he retained, in a 
 good degtde,:! throwgh life ; and the Amerii 
 can pdiblic is in possession; of> some intei 
 rest-HHg remarks upon it, cofBMmwnicrated by 
 him to the Goraneeticui'li Society of Arts and 
 Sciences, and published at their rfeqoest; 
 
 His fathei- had a strong desire^ itt sob- 
 serviency to the opemngs of proxn'tknce, 
 and growing signs ef gracions qnaMcatrons 
 in this beloved child, that' he might becoMe 
 a nmssHQ^i^i among v die Ab»k%in«d<'' A 
 noble wish, worthy of so great m minid',- and 
 so benevolent' a; heart!: Accordingiy, in 
 October,- 1755*, when "he was but tdn y!ea<rS 
 ©if- age, he was sent with the Rev. Gideon 
 Kawley (isince o-f Mash^ee, on Cape Coid) 
 Ho Oughquau'gai, oA'the 8iiS^iuehantfah>MVta^ 
 inoi^der to Itefern'the laagKage'oif tberOtteida 
 Indians. Otigkqnafaga was in &f?MevAess, 
 a« th^ idSstatice of abouit one hltnidied^inil^d 
 
DR. EDWARDS. ' 131 
 
 from any Engfeih settlement. At' this place 
 he continued but four months, by reason 
 of the war which broke out between England 
 and France, and extended itself into their 
 colonies. ^I Whilst he waswith these Indians, 
 he made rapid prognessv»! acquiring: their 
 iaBgiragd,' aud in engaging their affections. 
 Thej'Were so much, pleased with his attain- 
 mente, and Ms amiable disposition, that^ 
 when they thQugbt their settleiment .ex- 
 posed to inroads from the French, they t&ok 
 Mm, upon i their shoulders, and catried him 
 many miles, through the. wilderiaessi, to a 
 place which they deemed secure. After 
 this, however, he neV'er returned to therri 
 any more.. ■ , i » 
 
 His father died in 1758; but it was not 
 till the month of Febrilaryi 1760,, when he 
 had almost completed his tfttemth year, that 
 he seriously commenced the study of the 
 Lntin language, at a gpammai- school in 
 Princeton, in New Jersey, t^hejbeivra where 
 hi* father died. And such pJ'Ogress did he 
 ]e(iake in learning, that m September, l^6lj 
 he was admitted a meuikev of the! pollege 
 m the same town, over wHidiilis^f^^I^ 
 
THE LIFE 01* 
 
 presided for a short time 'before his death. 
 In September, 1765, he received the degree 
 of Bachelor of Arts. 
 
 While he v^as at colle^j at a tiriie of 
 general religious awakening in Princeton, 
 he obtained a hope of his reconciliation to 
 God, through * Jesus Christ. This was 
 during the presidency, and under .the im- 
 pressive preachings of the late Dr. Finley. 
 The following dedication of himself to the 
 service of God, which was made by him at 
 that time, was found among his papers 
 after his decease. 
 
 NeissaurHM, Sept. 17, 1763. 
 
 " I Jonathan Edwards, student of the 
 College in New Jersey, on this 17th day 
 of September, 1763^ being the day before 
 the, first time I proposed to draw near the 
 Lord's table, after much thought aiid con*' 
 sideration, as well as prayer to Almighty" 
 God for his assistance, resolved hy the grace 
 of God to enter into an express act of self- 
 dediqation to the service of God ; as being 
 a thing highly reasonable in its. own nature, 
 and that might be of eminent service t» 
 
DR. EDWARDS. 23S 
 
 keep me steady in my christian course; to 
 rouse me out of .sloth and indolence, aftd 
 uphold me in the day pf temptation. 
 
 " Eternal andiever blessed God ! I desire^ 
 with the deepest humiliation < and - abases 
 ment of soul, to come in the name and for 
 the sake of Jesus Christ, 3,n<l present myself 
 before thee, sensible of my infinite un wor- 
 thiness to appear before thee, especially 
 on such an occasion as this, to. enter Into 
 a covenant with thee. But notwithstanding 
 my sins have made such a separation ber 
 tween ihee and my soul, I beseech thee, 
 through Christ thy Son, to ■vouchsafe thy 
 presence with me, and acceptance of the 
 best sacrifice which I can make. 
 
 " I do, O Lord, in hopes qf thy assisting 
 grace, solemnly make an entire and per*- 
 petual surrender, of /all that I am and have 
 unto thee, being determined in thy strength 
 to renounce all former .Lords who have had 
 dominion over me, every lust of the eye, 
 of the flesh, and of the mind, and to live 
 entirely devoted, to thee and thy service. 
 To thee do I-consecrate the powers of my 
 mind, i with whatever improvements thpu 
 
^S^k «iJE LIFE tMF 
 
 hast already, br shalt be pleased JicTeaftet 
 it<? grant me, in the lil3ei"ary way j . purpossiB^ 
 if it be thy good pleasure, to pursue my 
 studies assidaousiy, that I may be better 
 prepared, to act in any sphere of life in 
 which thou shalt place: me. I do solemnly 
 dedicate: all my possessions, my time, tny 
 influeaac€ Qyer others, to be all used, for thf 
 glony. • ! 
 
 " To thy direction I iesign mysi^li^ and 
 all that I have, trusting all future contin* 
 genqies in thy hands, and ojay, thy will in 
 all things,, and JiQt mine, he done. Use mG, 
 Q(IjO]^^s ;an (instJWnerili of thy serviced 
 {;ib^e^!,.^?ii^ number me among t% 
 people! May I be clothed with the rightel- 
 ousnessr; of thy Som ever; impart to me, 
 tJiFougfe hjitv,. all needful 9t»fq>lie8 of thy 
 purifying and cheering spirit! I beseecfe 
 tbee,j!Q. Lord, that thou wowldest enabk 
 tne, tP/U'Ve according to this my vow, com)- 
 stantly 'avoiding all sin; and when I shall 
 gQipe to die, .in that solemn aad dwfuVhoiirj 
 tsay/ il remember this <my covehantj and 
 do thou, O Lord, j rem«robcr itltoo^ aadi givid 
 w^ ^^mtmg %pirti(i an ahunda«it iLdmttm<x 
 
iato the re^tipis of bliss! And if, wlaeii I 
 am laid in the dust, any surviving, friend 
 ^hoHJd meet with thi^ memorial, may it be 
 a means of good tp him, sand do thou admit 
 him to pkrtAke of; the blessi-og^ of thy cpve^ 
 nant of gtaee, through Jesus the , g^-ejat 
 Mediator; to wfeoiiq with thee, ; Father^ 
 and thy' Holy Spirit, be everlasting praises 
 ascribed,, by, sRints aii4 fliigeis ! i^m^!- ■ . 
 When he had finishted the, usual ijourse 
 of studiea at College^ he entered more parr 
 ticularly: upoji,tbe jstudy of divinity, tlif 
 fevouxite; study of bis, Uf(% under. the iifc- 
 stmction.of tb« late Rev. JosujBellamyvDjJIX 
 at BetWehemj in C^RftectiGut- Ir October, 
 i766, he was licensed to prejich the gospel, 
 by the a&gociatiDn of the c^aty of Lit©!*: 
 field-; ia«d/ ifti 17f6^, he wag apppii]ited » 
 tutor in the CoIlege)atBrijiiicetoB,;n«hwi8.b# 
 ©®attot»id! two yegrs, , ^vt where he «p.qnt 
 the hifeeweaing tii/>e, abpu't elevea wonth?^ 
 belweee his h^ipg liceijsed to,preaQh,.ant| 
 hi*^ l^nd#^^t&king the tmmin> a^t i*i:i^cetpn, it 
 is not fssyMiSiMcm't^m it is^J9lJppQae4 that 
 h§ was ^ fiQme<coviritry; placfiv^s &. candidate 
 for the ministry. 
 
236 THE lirE OF 
 
 During his residence at Princeton, lie 
 was invited to pffiach to the society of 
 WhiterHaven, in the town of New-Haven, 
 in Connecticut. On mutual approbation, 
 he was ordained to the pastoral charge of 
 that church, Jan. 5, 1769 ; and continued 
 there until May, 1795; when he was dis- 
 missed by an ecclesiastical council, at the 
 mutual request of the pastor aiid the -so- 
 ciety, after a residence among them of about 
 six audi' twenty years. For several years 
 previous tO' his dismission, sOme uneasiness 
 had subsisted in'thc'society, arising from a 
 difffe,reHoe of religious opinions. • Those pe- 
 culiar sentiments, whence the uneasiness 
 originated,' afid which were adopted by 
 some of the leading aftd most influential 
 men Amiing his parishioners^ were ;of a 
 nature quite opposite to the sentiments of 
 Dr. Edwards V 'and, indeed, to- those of the 
 same church and society,- at the time when 
 h€ was ordained among them. ■ This' di- 
 versity of opinion may be justly considered 
 as"the pn«6«/>W cause of the separation be- 
 tween Dr. Edwards and his people ; though 
 others gf inferior moment had tiiey: influ« 
 
DR. EDWARDS. ^S7 
 
 ence. , But the estensikle csiiise assigned by 
 the society, was their inability .to support 
 a minister. -, 
 
 Dr. Edwards did not continue long in 
 this unsettled state ; for in January^ . 1 796, 
 he was installed pastor of the church in 
 Colebroak, Litchfield county, Connecticut. 
 Here he continued administering the word 
 and ordinances to, a very affectionate people 
 for above three years. In this, towii he in- 
 tended to have spent the remainder of his 
 da3rsi had it been the pleasure of hi® divine 
 Master. It was much his' wish to pursue 
 his favourite study of theology, in a less 
 confined manner. To thia the retired situ- 
 ation of Colebrook greatly contributed; 
 and a change of audience would rjender the 
 weekly p.repara^ns for the s&bbath soine- 
 .what less Is^borious^ So favourable an op- 
 portunity of pursuing his studies ! ?tiira$ not 
 jieglected; but his continuance in this de- 
 sirable retreat; was not of long; dotation, i 
 In the summer of 1799, he was elected 
 -President of a College, in the town of 
 Schenectady, in the state of New- York, 
 which had lately been instituted and en- 
 
^58 THE LI rE OF 
 
 dowbdj The election thus made was hn- 
 raei^mly cotammmMed to him, with stxi 
 invitatioH to remove, as soon as he conve- 
 niently i could; Iff GonsieqQeBce of this 
 imitation he was again dismissed, by ail 
 eccksiastiical CDunciil,ff0m his i)ia^t©raloi5ce^ 
 irisithie^ montli, of ';J«rie j 'asB#>in. the July 
 iaiimrmg he removed to Sehemdotady; Fnoia 
 tikis time his talents aisd attenti'(!x# weu© 
 appropriated/^ l?ith unkiterr upted assiduity} 
 to. ihe concerns of tiiis newly instituted 
 seminary. ' *• ■ • 
 
 Inj-thisi satuiaitioiii hi eeftitiatiGd only two 
 years!; for abont the middle of July, 1801, 
 his labours were suspended' by a regular 
 intei'Hiitting fever, imattetldled- with any 
 iinfffediateljr/ alarnting'syfljptetM.f But aboiit 
 eifte days- ifeefoit ■ his decJeaise, ^drkitaiS 
 syaiptensfs'i shewed '^enjselte'i and- InAlt- 
 ^atfed- his appvoatshifig^dissolution. The 
 prog*e^ of ehe dis^aise] from this date, was 
 very ra^id, anid he exjiettenced its ifflpaitog 
 effects so wmch/that withiis; thfee' ■^dkyis' he 
 wiasfafai!K>strientirely:idepwved of hisupeech, 
 <tf' the regular eser«is& of his lijfttos; and at 
 interf*ate.tofi l«k reason. Thus he continued 
 
DR. EDWARDS. 239 
 
 regulady to decline until August 1, 1801, 
 wten he expired. By ,th© effects of his; 
 disorder, he was unavoidably prevented 
 from expressing his views and feelings on 
 the approftcb of eternity for the last five 
 datys ef his life. In the early stages of his 
 illhes,s, how.everj he expressed his entire and 
 wiljjng iJesigjtta,tioa to the pleaS'ure of God^j 
 and" that he satisfactorily acquiesced in thte 
 gpspel way of saJlvatjQft througja a divine 
 Redeemer.* 
 
 • Some further «ir«u«istanees pveeediag liis deativmay 
 he here ineiiti|»iied< On,the S^tur-dtKy; before' he waS' tabiea! 
 lit,, he rod«. fmm Schenectady to Irojr, to preadi foe 
 Mr. Coe, thp mipisteTjOf' ,that<tow<n< Tkoj/ is situated on 
 th& eastern, hank of theHudson^^seven mites above Albany, 
 fifteen<fi.'om<i&^eQectadyjand<ab«utaJuindred and seventy 
 from New l^orj^. The. sabbatfai immediately 'suoeoeding 
 was' w»teBsely,,hot. He rode to church- in the moritittg- 
 in- bis chsase witli Mrs; Etiwards. When- bev retornefl! 
 at :no«n, he gajre bis seat in the. efaaiae. toi a lady,, and' 
 walked, to' the- lionse whet»3he.lodgedj: wliichi was afcw 
 considerable- distancs fromatbe chatclu In.tinei.aftemobiv 
 he walked to ' the efamcfa) for the same laeasote^Juiid, after- 
 the usaal publieseiivicoiwasiendfed.^hepcaf^rmeid-a; funeral 
 secviee. By thcbeait, and tbe fatigue whiclrhe'iludei<w«nt) 
 he.iippeaxs to have faeeminaterially: affected. "Shefbltowing 
 Tuesday he was sdzed with an intermittingp fever, which, 
 ia somewhat less thaiii three week», terminated his life^^ 
 
240 THE LIVE OP 
 
 The yearaftier Dr. Edward* was ordained 
 to the charge of the White-Haven society 
 in New-Haven, he married Miss Mary 
 
 He was attended hf several physicians, bat he freely de- 
 clared tq them, that- their medicines didnot seem to rcacli 
 the cause of his disease. Early in the prog^ress Of his 
 illness he seems to have had a presentiment that it woiild 
 terminate fatally. How far the 'uncommonly striking 
 Similarity, or coincidence, .hetwcett the .circumstances of 
 his life and those of bis father contributed to this, it is not 
 easy to say ; but it was observed, that he inenlioned several 
 of them with a degree of feeling more than common. 
 
 The reader, will, perhaps, be gratified, if we take 9, 
 review of these coincidences : — They were both the sons df 
 olergytneni and of clergymen's daughters — they bore the 
 same name — were alike libferally educated and distin- 
 guished scholars — they were not only both preachers of 
 the gospel^ but also preached the same doctrines, in th6 
 same' strain, and with considerable success — they were 
 both tutors in the seminaries where Ihey were educated, 
 and for the same cohtiliuance — they were afterwards 
 settled in congregations where their maternal grandfathers 
 respectively,; ivere settled before them — they continued in 
 tiiose.con^egations nearly the same length of time — they 
 were tiismis^ed by their chnrches, and ecclesiastical coun* 
 ci^s, on account of their religious opinions— they were 
 again Settled over obscure congregations in the interior of 
 the country — tbey were both drawn out from those retired 
 situations to the ;iii;esidency of a college, and alike re- 
 luctant to .obtiy. the snmmOns — after a short period spent 
 in the .duties of thdir new office they died — and very near 
 the isame ag«.. To. this We nitty add, that tbey Vere cob- 
 
»R. EDWARDS. 241 
 
 Porter, daughter of the Hon. Eleazer and 
 Mrs. Sarah Porter, of Hadley, in Massachu- 
 setts. By her he had four children, three 
 of whom survived him ; a son and two 
 daughters. Their oldest daughter married 
 Mr. Hoiti a respectable merchant in Sche- 
 nectady. Their youngest daughter was 
 married to the Rev. Mr. Chapin, a gentle-^ 
 man of respectability settled in Stepney, the 
 south parish of Wethersfield, seven miles 
 below the city of Hartford. Their son, 
 Jonathan Walter Edwards, esq. was edu- 
 cated in Yale College, regarded as an 
 ejtcellent scholar, and afterwards a tutor in 
 it. After this he became a counsellor at 
 law in the city of Hartford ; and, to use the' 
 words of a respectable American gentleman 
 of whom enquiry was made, " is, perhaps, 
 not exceeded, in abilities or reputation, by 
 any practitioner of the same standing. The 
 vigour of mind for which his father and 
 grandfather were distinguished, seems to 
 
 s'iderably alike in pefton — and remarlcahly so ia mind — 
 tbeir endowments and attainments, both intellectual and 
 moral, were apparently almost the same — they were alike 
 distinguished for religious excellence^ strength of nijnd, 
 acute discernment, and close iuvestigatioOt' — \V. 
 
 M 
 
§42 THE LIFE OP 
 
 have descended in a very liberal measure to 
 hira." Both the daugliters, it is appre- 
 hended, are members of christian churches ; 
 and the son appears an uniform and strenuous 
 advocate for the cause of christianityi and 
 a "constant and> serious attendant on the 
 worship of God. " They are all in easy 
 circumstances, and have ever sustained an 
 unblemished and respectable character." 
 
 Mrs. Edwards, the mother of the persbns 
 now mentioned, an excellent lady, was 
 drowned in June, 1782. The circumstances 
 of this affecting event were these: Dr. and 
 Mrs. Edwards were taking an airing in 
 theii" chaise, in the north-eastern part of 
 NeW"Haven; when at some distance from 
 home, the Doctor was called away to 
 attend to some necessary business. As 
 Mrs. Edwards was returning, she suffered 
 the horse to drink at a watering place, in a 
 small river, with the depth of which she 
 was wholly unacquainted. The horse sud- 
 denly'plunged and fell, and threw her from 
 the chaise into the river, where she was 
 drowned. 
 
 Dr. Edwards was married a second time; 
 
DR. EDWARDS. 243 
 
 the object of his choice in this connection, 
 was Miss Mercy Sabin, of New-Haven, 
 whom he left to deplore his loss. — As a 
 husband and parent he was kind, faithful, 
 asid aifectionate. As a brother, he merited 
 and possessed the respect, esteem, and 
 affection of all his brothers and sisters. 
 When a child, he was not only singularly 
 dutiful to his parents, but also affectionate 
 and coiiscientious ; a dfsposition of mind 
 which manifested itself through his whole 
 life. By nature, however, he was of an 
 ardent, irritable disposition, of which he 
 appears to have been early conscious. Whilst 
 he was quite young he formed a resolution, 
 that he would uniformly, and with un- 
 abating watchfulnesa, withstand this pro- 
 pensity," until it should be subdued. This 
 he entered upon, as upon an important busi- 
 ness for life — as an achievement which 
 miist be accomplished,- however difficult and 
 arduous the task might prove. And such a 
 blessing attended his diligent and inde- 
 fatigable vigilance, as enabled him to possess 
 an unusual command over his passions, and 
 to pass through a life attended with many 
 
244 THE LIFE OF 
 
 trying circumstances, with the reputation 
 df uncommon equanimity. He knew what 
 it was to be abased, and also w:hat it was 
 to abound ; but in prosperity and adversity 
 he appeared the same. His fortitude under 
 trials was great; a fortitude founded in a 
 constant reliance on providence, and in 
 resignation to the will of God; -a temper of 
 mind as different as pos'sible from the frigid, 
 apathy of a Stoic. 
 
 About the time that he first made an 
 explicit dedication of himself to the ser- 
 vice of God, by a Written covenant, when 
 he was little more than eighteen years of 
 age, he began a diary of his religious, life. 
 This he continued a few months, and then 
 .relinquished it; for a reason, no doubt, 
 wiyeh he deliberately weighed, as it does 
 nbt^appear that he resumed it afterwards. 
 Th(p^ /liovvever, is no uncommon thing; 
 chrisjtj^ns while- young have more need of 
 such he]|)s, than when th^y have made 
 greater . progress; as young students need 
 common-place books. Besides, when per- 
 sons are engaged in public situations they 
 arc often obliged to abridge, at least, their 
 
DR. EDWARDS. 245 
 
 time of writing, concerning themselves. 
 From what he has wi-itte:n by way of diary, 
 he appears early to have determined to 
 strive against sin and temptation, and to 
 live in a manner becoming his holy profes- 
 sions, and to devote himself wholly to the 
 service of God. The blessing with which 
 it pleased God to accompany these pious 
 exertions. Was visible throughout the re- 
 mainder of his life. 
 
 As a man of learning and strength of 
 mind, " he probably had not a superior in 
 the United States, and but few in the 
 world." His logical powers were pre-emi- 
 nent, and little if at all inferioi' to those of 
 his fatlier. Being generally favoured with 
 good health, he improved this and his other 
 valuable 'talents for the defence,, the sup- 
 port, and the advancement of that religiori 
 which he professed, and of the cause in 
 which he was engaged. In his own country, 
 at leapt, his name will be long remembered 
 with respect and honour; and is already 
 placed, in the department of divinity, 
 beneath very few, probably none, except 
 that of his father. A more industrious man, 
 
S4t) THE LIFE OF 
 
 imyhatever he undertopkj and a character 
 less soiled .with human imperfection, is not 
 easiljr found. His answer to Dr. Chauncey, 
 his i:eply to Dr. West, and his sermons on 
 the atonement of Christ, are in Americsi 
 extensively regarded as standard works i 
 Jitid will, most probably, never be an^ 
 Vwered. 
 
 , Considered as a preacher, in his manner 
 of delivery he was bold and animated; but 
 he addressed the understanding and con^ 
 science, rather than the passions of his 
 audience. All who , had , the pleasure to 
 hear him will acknowledge with readiness, 
 * that, in his own mode, he w^s rarely, if ever, 
 exceeded. His reasonings, were strong and 
 conclusive ; and, in his writings especially, 
 as plight be expected from such a mind, he 
 closely confined » himself to his subject; 
 always presenting something new, original, 
 and instructive. 
 
 His constitution and health admitting it, 
 he' generally rose early, and immediately 
 began his regular, diurnal routine of duty 
 an'd business, which he observed through 
 life with great unifoirmity; and from yfhich 
 
DR. EDWARDS. .S:4r7 
 
 he- was not easily diverted.- He considered 
 his immediate duty to his Creator as re- 
 quiring his first obedience and attention ; 
 and then the relative and social duties of 
 life were not neglected. His exercises, 
 studies, and all his other concerns, as far as 
 was consistent with his parochial duties, 
 were conducted with regularity, upon a 
 well formed system ; whereby each duty 
 was attended to in its proper season. 
 
 He possessed and meiited the respect 
 and affection of an extensive literary and 
 ministerial acquaintance. The latter looked 
 to him, under God, as to one of the firmest 
 pillars, and ablest defenders of the genuine 
 interests of the church, in a day of decleii- 
 sion and infidelity; and in his death, the 
 cause both of science a^d religion has sus- 
 tained a loss not easily repaired. A corres- 
 pondent of his observes:"! never knevv 
 Dr. Edwards's equal for impartial enquiry 
 after truth ; he always seemed thankful for 
 any thing that could be urged against any 
 peculiar sentiment o^ his own. His modesty 
 apd humility were very remarkable." AXio- 
 
a4» THE LIFE OF 
 
 ther very respectable gentleman in Ame- 
 rica, in a letter to the writer of this Appen- 
 dix, says: " Dr. Edwards I once numbered 
 among the most valuable of my friends; 
 and I lamented his death with much grief, 
 not only on account of 'my ov^n loss, but 
 of that of the whole American — perhaps I 
 might . say^ — christian church. His piety 
 was eminent, his learning extensive,; and 
 his penetration acute beyond those of any 
 other man whom I have ever personally 
 known, Dr. W — — n alone excepted." 
 
 , Dr. Edwards died possessed of an inde- 
 peudent estate, as that subject is estimated 
 in America. Mrs. Edwards also, the widow, 
 had considerable property of. her own, 
 wbereby she was placed in eai§y circum- 
 stances. This favourable distinction in the 
 oi;der of Providenc.e,xontribul;ed much to 
 relieve his mjnd of solicitude, ' both when 
 coping with difficulties among his flock, and 
 in the prospect of being removed frpin his 
 family by death.. 
 
 His literary productions are small,, com- 
 pared with those of his father, we mean m 
 
DR. EDWARDS. 249 
 
 Aulk, though rather numerous.— Their ge- 
 n-Tal titles we shall subjoin below.* Dr. 
 
 * A Catahgue of Dr. Edwards's Publications. 
 
 1. The Salvation of all Men strictly examined, &g. in 
 
 answer to Dr. Cbaunqey. 
 
 2. A Dissertation o"n Liberty and Necessity. 
 
 3. Observations on the Language of the Mohekaneew, or 
 
 Stockbridge Indians, communicated to the Society oC 
 Arts and Sciences, and published at the request of 
 the Society. 
 
 4. Brief Observations on theDoctrine of Universal Salvation. 
 
 5. Three Sermons on the Atonement. 
 
 6. A variety of occasional^Sermons,.gepai%tely published: 
 
 viz, 
 A. D; 1783". Th« faithful Manifestation of the Truth, the 
 proper and immediate end of preaching the 
 Gospel. A Sermon preached at Greenfield, 
 at the Ordination of the Kev. Tim. Dwight. 
 1'79L The Injustice and Impolicy of the Slave 
 Trade, &c. A Sermon before the Connecti- 
 cut Society for the Promotion of Freedom, 
 &c. 
 
 1792. All Divine Truth profitable. A Sermon 
 
 preached at Hamden, at the Ordination of 
 the Rev. Dan. Bradley. 
 '1792.. Faith and a good Conscience illustrated. A 
 Sermon at the Ordination of the Rev. W^ 
 Brown, pastor of the first Church in Glas- 
 tonbury. 
 
 1793. "the Marriage of a Wife's Sister considored in 
 
 the Anniversary Coneio ad Clerum, in the 
 Chapel of Yale College. 
 
 U5 
 
250 THE LIFE OP 
 
 Edward? inserted many excelleipit pieces in 
 thg New York Theological Magazine, 
 signed I. or O. It is not supposed that he 
 has left many manuscripts j but he proposed, 
 long before his death, to write two works, 
 the failure of which (for it is to be feared 
 they have failed) is exceedingly to be re- 
 gretted. They were intended to be' exami- 
 
 A. p, 1793. (It is supposed), a Funeral Sermon for Mr. 
 Senator Siiermou. 
 
 1794. The Necessity of tlje Belief of Christianity bj 
 the Citizens of the State, in order to our 
 poetical prosperity. A Sermon preached 
 before bis excellency Samuel Huntingdon, 
 •Esq. XjL. D. Governor, and the General 
 Assembly of the State of Connecticut, con- 
 vened aX Hartford. 
 
 17Q6. The Duty of the Ministers of the Gospel to 
 preach the Trutln A Sermou\at the Ordi- 
 nation of the Rev. Edward Dorr Griffin, 
 A. M. tp, the pastoral' char|^e of the church 
 in New Hartford. , 
 
 1797. A future, Stat^ of J^xistpnce, and the Immor- 
 tality of the Soul, illustrated from the Light 
 of Scripture; and Reason. Printed in a 
 Volume of Sermons on important Subjects, 
 collected from a Number of Ministers in 
 some of the Northern States,of America. 
 
 iW,-A t;a.te\y,gil Sejrmpia to the People of 
 Colebroolc^ 
 
DR. EDWAKDS. 251 
 
 nations of the doctrines of Socihidns and of 
 Infidels. It is with pleasure we remark, 
 howevier, as connected with this failurei, 
 that those who would have been gratified 
 with such productions by Dr. Edwards, will 
 be not a little pleased with two works of 
 similar design, published iji our own coun- 
 try, by the Rev. Andrew Fuller, viz. "The 
 Calvinistic and Socinian Systems compared 
 as to their Moral Tendency ;" and " The 
 Gospel its own Witness." An American 
 writer in the Connecticut Evangelical 
 Magazine, to whom we are indebted for 
 the greater part of the facts contained in 
 this memoir, concludes with this observar 
 tion: " Such was this great and good man, 
 both in life and death. In the language of 
 Shakespeare, we may with propriety say, 
 
 - Take him for all in.all. 
 
 We (scarce) shall look upon his like agdin." 
 
 As we are confident that many will be 
 gratified by being presented , with . some 
 extracts from Dr. Edwards's letters, on 
 account of their being answers to enquiries 
 ^^osed'to him, respecting biS; relatives, &g.; 
 
252 THE LIFE OF 
 
 we conclude these 'memoirs with a few 
 of them ; for which we apprehend no apo- 
 logy is needful to those persons now living 
 who are referred to, as there is nothing, in. 
 them but what is honourable to all parties 
 where names are mentioned. 
 
 New-Haven, March .16, 1787. 
 " Of my father's childreii seven are still 
 living, three sons m\Afour daughters. One 
 of my sisters died last fall, the mother of 
 nine children; hopefully a ; pious woman, 
 exceedingly* beloved by all her acquaint- 
 ance. Of my two brothers, one, older 
 than myself, lives at Stockbridge^ where 
 mv father was settled after his removal 
 from Northampton. .Perhaps it will afford 
 you pleasure to be informed, that he has the 
 character of a pious as well as able man, 
 and has obtained the confidence of his 
 country to be elected a Member of Con- 
 gress, and to be otherwise promoted in the 
 civil line. The other brother, younger than 
 myself, is settled in the practice of the law 
 in this city. My- father wiis- succeeded at 
 Noithumpton by one Mr..<Hooker, who 
 
DR. EDWARDS. 253 
 
 tiied about the beginning of the late war! 
 >fow, one Mr. Williams is settled there." 
 
 ' Netv-Haven, Oct. 2, 1787. 
 "As you mention my ' former ia,ffliction,' 
 I suppose you have heard, though I know 
 not how, of my peculiar trial, in the kiss of. 
 a most amiable consort. She was acci- 
 dentally drowned. A most surprisin^g and 
 afflicting scene ! — I have three children ; 
 one son only, my eldest now in his sixteenth 
 year. He is prosecuting his studies at the 
 college : a lad of decent behaviour; O that 
 "he may,; know God and Jesus Christ! 
 As you too are a parent, you know how 
 ardently a parent, who, has any sense of 
 divine things, wishes that his children may 
 walk in tht truth. Dear Sir, as you are so 
 kind as to remember me in your prayers, 
 for which I sincerely thank you, and hope- 
 God may hear tnd answer, will you add to 
 your kindness by praying sohietimes ."for 
 my poor children, by nature children of 
 .wrath." ^ , , ._^. ,, .;si',. ,,., 
 
 New-Haven, June 1 4, 1 788. v; 
 " I do not know who the person was 
 
$54 THE LIFE OF 
 
 wjth whom Mi'. Brainerd had the conver- 
 sation on the nature of faith, July 20, 1747; 
 hut probably it was one Mf. Croswell, a 
 miiiister in Boston, who formerly published 
 some pieces to prove, that the essence of 
 faith consists in believing that Christ died 
 for me in particular." 
 
 KeWmHaven, Dec. 24, 178S. 
 " The Trinitarian Controversy is likely 
 to be agitated artiong us. A principal 
 member of the diuFch to which I am 
 pastor, and, who formerly appeared to be a 
 friend to the true systemj seems now to be 
 Warping off from that system in general, 
 and from the doctrine of the Trinity in 
 particular. I fear it will break the church. 
 I beg your prayers, tftiat I may act with 
 wisdom, and with iSdeiity to the truth." ' 
 
 NefW'Bemen, March 30, 178§. 
 " In answer to your enquiry, in a former 
 letter, concerijing Phoebe Bartlett,* I hav^ 
 to inform you that she is yet living, and has 
 
 * The cbild of four years old mentioned in Mr. Edwards's 
 printedi 7^iith!|(mpton Narrate.' 
 
BR. EDWARDS. 255 
 
 uniforitily maintained the character of a 
 true convert.-^I remember nothing of Mr. 
 Brainerd, nor of my sister Jerusha.— ■ 
 Though I had, during my father's hfe, 
 some convictions of sin and danger, yet I 
 have no reason to believe I had aaiy real 
 religion, till some years after his death;" 
 
 New-Hwoen, Oct. 0^1, l/SO. 
 *' I have taken notice of Mr. Fuller's very 
 candid and judicious observations and en- 
 quiries. O that all ministers would enquire 
 with the like attention and candour! In 
 that case, how rapid and glorious would be 
 the progress of the truth ! — In relation to 
 my own affairs, last spring the diflficjilties 
 in our church concerning religious senti- 
 ments, were professedly settled, and a writ-' 
 ten engagement subscribed, to bury all 
 former uneasiness. But of late, difficulties 
 have sprung up anew, and appear to be of 
 such magnitude, that I have no expectation 
 of continuing in connection with this 
 church. The prospect of a removal is no 
 way terrifying to me; but it is grievous to 
 see ttiose who have professed to be the 
 
^S6 THE UFE OF 
 
 warmest friends of the true doctrines of .the 
 gospel, become the most bitter opposefs.' 
 Also the prospect that the preaching of the 
 true gospel will be eradicated from a large 
 town; and error and false gospel introduced 
 in its st^ad, is truly grievous. But the 
 Lord reign^, and" will take care of his own 
 cause." 
 
 New-Hchen, Oct. 21, 1791. 
 " The person who was referred to in the 
 Thoughts on the Revival was the author's 
 wife. [Nature of the work in a particular 
 instance, &c.]^ — The difficulty in our church 
 still subsists, sometimes in a greater, some- 
 times in a kss degree. The paroxysm is' 
 generally in the winter, and if this ap- 
 proaching winter should remove me from 
 my present situation,. I would not- havq- 
 you be surprised. The current against 
 the doctrines Of grace has run exceedingly 
 •strong in this town for five years past." 
 
 New-ijaveni Sept^ 1 2, 1 794. 
 ' " On the death of my good and able 
 friend Mr. Senator Shermon, I expected 
 
DH. EDWARDiS. 257 
 
 my troubles here would break out with 
 greater fury than ever. But God's ways 
 are not as our ways, nor are his thoughts 
 our thoughts. Ever since his death we 
 have been more quiet than before. Yet it 
 seemed that he, while alive, was the great 
 means of keeping us so quiet as we then 
 were." 
 
 New-HcevenjJprill4!,\795. 
 " As I have formerly troubled you with 
 some account of my own difficulties, I 
 cannot but now inform you of the present 
 state of my affairs. My great and good 
 friend Mr. Shermon, you know, is dead. 
 :Another of my best friends died sometime 
 after Mr. Shermon. Another is laid by 
 from usefulness, from age and infirmity. 
 These dispensations of Providence have 
 -given a great advantage to those who 
 have been inimical to me, on account of 
 my senthjients and preaiphing. It is nine 
 years since pur difficulties began. This 
 winter my opposers have_ exerted them- 
 selves with great; vigow,' and in Jl%e .first 
 place procured a vote of the coiigregation, 
 
258 THE LIFE OF 
 
 that, . on account of their diminution in 
 number and property, they were not able 
 to support their minister. On my desiring 
 an explanation of this vote, whether they 
 meant to suggest that I Itxad been the 
 criminal cause of their diminution and 
 poverty,, they by vote declared that ifc was 
 not their intention to suggest, that I. have 
 been the criminal cause ; still, by another 
 vote, they declared that it was their desire 
 that the pastoral relation in which I stood 
 to them, should be dissolved on the ground 
 of their diminution and poverty. So that 
 as soon as a council can be called, and the 
 forms gone through, I shall be liberated feorii 
 my connection with this people. So are we 
 all liable to changes ! But I do not wish 
 you to indulge anxiety for me^ as even my 
 enemies pretend nbt to bring any impeach- 
 ment against me, I conceive my cha> 
 racter is fair with my brethren in the 
 ministry, and with the public in general, 
 and I hope I may be useful elsewhere. In 
 one respect, Providence has provided better 
 for me again&t this event than it did for 
 my father. By my first marriage I became 
 
DR. EDWARDS. Q59 
 
 possessed af some property, as well as ob- 
 tained a most excellent wife. I have but 
 three children. My son is settled in busi- 
 ness ; and one of my daughters is married. 
 I Hiention these circumstances merely to 
 relieve your friendly anxiety." 
 
 New-Haven, May 6, 179S. 
 " As I am about to be released from my 
 connection with this congregation, it is 
 altogether uncertain where my lot may be 
 cast. But in general, .1 shall follow the 
 ministry, wherever God shall give me op- 
 portunity to do it, with the prospect of 
 usefulness and peace," 
 
 Greenwich, Nov. l, 1795. 
 
 " I inclose for your information the re- 
 suit of our council. Though the only reason 
 for my dismission urged by the people was 
 ^eir poverty, the true reason was the dis- 
 affection of some principal men to the doc-; 
 trines I preached. This was well knovt'n 
 to the council, yet as they professed it not, 
 no notice could be taken of it. Since my 
 Amission, Providence has constantly era- 
 
260 THE LIFE OF 
 
 ployed me in supplying vacant congrega- 
 tions. I have not been out of some vacancy 
 a single Sabbath ; and have had more ap- 
 plications thaii I could comply with.: In 
 this place, (Greenwich,) ,and at Colebrooki 
 in this state, (Connecticut,) I have received 
 calls to settle; but have not as yet answered 
 either of them. Probably I shall accept of 
 one or the other. So that though my fornier 
 people have rejected me, yet Providence 
 and other churches seem disposed to em- 
 ploy me. G may I be employed to do good 
 to the church of Christ. 
 
 " I have not seen any thing in my father's, 
 MSS. concerning the best mode of t-eaching 
 Indians. I remember that besides preach- 
 ing on the Lord's day, he was wont to have 
 an evening exercise, in the winter, at a 
 private house, in which he gave them an 
 account of sacred history, with practical 
 reflections.— The Indians are now entirely 
 gone from Stockbridge." 
 
 Colebrook, June 7, 1796. , 
 
 " In my last letter I told you,. that I had' 
 before me two calls : one ta the charge of 
 
DR. EDWARDS, 261 
 
 the church in this town; the other to that 
 of a church in Greenwich, both in the state 
 of Connecticut. After some dehberation, 
 I> thought it my duty to, accept of the call 
 fi-om Colebrook, an inland town in . the 
 north-eastern part of the state. In this re- 
 tired situation, I am much more happy than 
 in my former residence. I enjoy peace 
 here, which I could not there, as I have 
 fornlerly told you. The neighbouring 
 ministers are all friendly here, I have here 
 more leisure for study, and a rural life was 
 always more agreeable to me than one in 
 a populous town, having spent that part of 
 my life at Stockbridge,-; in which we com- 
 monly form our taste in such things,, O, 
 that I may do. some good in this my present 
 situation! I request your prayers for me 
 to this end." 
 
 Cokbrooh, April 30, 1798. 
 
 "Since I wrote last, I have been twice 
 imminently exposed to death ; iri; both in- 
 stances by a fall from my horse. But a 
 kind Providence preserved me. By one of 
 the falls, my shoulder was injured, but is 
 
262 THE LIFE OP 
 
 now restored to Wonted use. I beseech 
 you to- join me iri sincere thanks to God 
 my preserver; arid O may i donstantly 
 maintain a sense of my constant liableness 
 to the great change." 
 
 Schenectady, August 24, 1799- 
 
 ** While we are in this world, we haye no 
 continuing city. It is not yefc four years 
 since I removed from New-Haven to Cole- 
 brook; and four weeks siftce, I arrived in 
 this town witb my family from Colebrook; 
 in consequence of an invitation fron) the 
 trustees of the College here, to take the 
 presidency of it. My removal from Cole- 
 brook was a tender and affecting scene. 
 The people professed, to be exceedingly 
 desirous of my continuing among them ; 
 yet consented, thou.gh with reluctance, to 
 leave it to a council, according to our usual 
 form, for advice. A committee of the prin- 
 cipal men of the church and town appeared, 
 and gave reasons why I should not be re- 
 moved from tkem. Still, after mature de- 
 liberation, the council was unanimously of 
 the opinion, that it was my duty to accept 
 
DR. EDWARDS. 263 
 
 the call from Schenectady, and their duty 
 to consent. But what renders it most af- 
 fecting was^Ahat for about three months 
 before the sitting of the council, it had 
 pleased God to give more apparent-success 
 to ray ministry than I had been favoured 
 with in any part of my life. The attention 
 of the greater part of the people was ex- 
 cited to religion, a goodly number hope- 
 fully made the subjects of divine grace,- 
 among whom were some of principal in- 
 fluence in the townj and a number of 
 others were under deep convictions, en- 
 quiring what they should do to be saved. 
 So that at my publicly taking leave of 
 them, I was strongly affected myself, and 
 it was said there was not a dry eye in the 
 house. The people have requested a copy 
 for the press. A very different parting this 
 from .that I had at Ne\y-Haveni Schenec- 
 tady is a town half as large again as New- 
 Haven, 17 miles N. W. from AsJbany, in the 
 state "of New York. The college here was 
 incorporated in 1795, and as there is a 
 large country to the northward and west- 
 ward without any institution of the kind. 
 
264 THE LIFE OF 
 
 this college is expected to be an importaait, 
 seminary. I^beg your prayejs that I may: 
 be assisted to aiivise ax\d faithful discharge, 
 of my duty. My predecessor in office was' 
 Dr. John Blair Smith, who was previouslyj 
 minister in Philadelphia." 
 
 "P. S. Sept 2,, 1799.— Information is 
 just received, that Dr. Smith died at Phila- 
 delphia on the 21st ult. of the yellow fever. 
 This is particularly striking to me. You 
 remember how soon my father died, after 
 he iarriVjEd at the college in New Jersey. 
 May we all stand with our loins girded." 
 
 " Schenectady, Sept. 1, 1800. 
 
 " For a month past I have been too 
 unwell to write; I am now somewhat 
 recovered, but not entirely. - My disorder, 
 has been a fever; My former charge at 
 Colebrbok is supphed " by a Mr. Lee, of 
 whom we have good, expectations. In my 
 new situation I find njuch less' time-; for 
 theological studies ; yet I hope I may be 
 useful. It was indeed a tender scene to 
 part with the dear people at Colebrook,: in' 
 
d;r. edfauds. £65* 
 
 the midst of a shower of divine grac^ on 
 my poor kboiirs ;; the greatest success that 
 eyer God was pleased to vouchsafe 'to 
 my ministry. ^'Yet how much more agree- 
 able to part thus, tha® to part in contention. 
 I send you a copy of the farewell sermpi,i, of 
 which in some resj)ects I am ashamed ; I 
 mean of the mechanical part. I left the 
 qopy with the people j they, unacquainted 
 with the business of printing, committed it 
 to a printer ; he, to make the most of the 
 jobj acted a penurious part in the execution j 
 and, what is worse, has made the most blun- 
 ders that ever I saw in so short a piece." 
 
 " Schenectady^ Feb. ^7, 1801. 
 
 " As I had no raised expectations wh^i 
 1 ^came to this place, I find things more 
 agreeable than I expected. The principal 
 men of the legislature of the state favour 
 the college, and appear to have qonfidenca 
 in me, in my present situation. Since my 
 arrival here,^ the legislature has granted to 
 the college 10,000 dollars in money, and 
 lands supposed to be worth 38,000 dollars. 
 If I may partly believe the compliments of. 
 
S66 THE LIFE, &C. 
 
 my fnends, flie college is growing in repu- 
 tation. I hope I have been the instru- 
 , mient of some good here, not by promoting 
 Jiterature only, but by spreading the more 
 thorough and accurate knowledge of the 
 doctrines of grace. I undertook the ser- 
 vice with great reluctance, on account of 
 the Jabour and responsibility attached to 
 it ; but hitherto a kind Providence has 
 favoured me. Though the institution? is as 
 yet young, if wise measures be pursued, 
 and the smiles of Providence be continued, 
 I doubt not it will be very useful. I 
 request your prayers, that I inay have wis- 
 dom and grace according to my day and 
 situation. I .rejoice to hear of the success 
 of your missionaries in the East Indies. 
 May they go on and prosper. There are 
 several places in this northern part of the 
 state of New York, in which it has lately 
 pleased the Great Head of the church -to 
 shed down his influences to the conviction 
 of many, and the hopeful conversion of a 
 great number." 
 
 FINIS. 
 
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