Account of His Manuscripts and Publications; Appendices
A brief Account of what he publilhcd is therefore here subjoined.
A Sermon prcach'd at Bofion, on i Cor.
With a Preface by one of the Miniftcrs of Bo/ion.
A Sermon preach'd at Northampton in the year 1734, from Math. xvi. 17. intitlcd, A divine and fupcrnatural Light immediately imparted to the Soul by the Spirit of
GOD. The Narrative vrhich has been mention*d, wrote Nov. 6.
first
printed in
London, and rccom-
mfndcd by Dr. Watts, and Dr. Guyse ; and had two Editions there. And then it had another Edition mboflon in the year 1738. recommended by four of the senior Ministers in Boston, To which were prefixed five Difcourfcs on the following SubjecSts. L Justification by Faith alone. IL Prefling into the Kingdom of GOD. ]II. Ruth's Resolution. IV. The in the Damnation of Sinners. V. The Justice of Excellency of JESUS CHRIST. Deliver*d at Northampton chiefly at the time of the wonderful pouring out of the Spirit of there. The Discourse on Justification by Faith alone, may be recommended as one of the best things that has been wrote on that Subjeft ; fctting this truth in a most plain, scrip* tural, and convincing light ; and as well worthy the careful perusal of all christians ; especially candidates for the miniftry. The other Discourses are excellent,having much divinity in them,and tending above most that are publiftied, to awaken the conscience ot the sinner, and inftrudt and quicken the christian.
A Sermon preach'd at Enfigldy July 8. 1741. intitled. Sinners in the Hands of an angry Frcacb'd at « time of great awakenings there ; and attended with remar-
GOD.
kable impressions on many of the hearers.
A Sermon on the diftinguiihlng Marks of a work of the of GOD, preacird at Ntw-Havin Sept. 10. i74i«
Spirit
from I Joh. iv. i. publilhed with great enlargements. Thi»
was re-printcd in S(9tknd.
Some
Some thoughts concernins; the prcfcnt revival of religion in Nnu-England, and the way in which it ought to be acknowledged and promoted, humbly offered to th# Pubpublic, in a treatise on that fubjecl, in five parts. This had a second edition iniVc/iilhed in the year 1742. land.
A Treatise concerning religious Affections.
Publlfhed
These thr-'e la(\ have been mentioned in the year 1746. before, with the particular occafiun and design of their publication.
A treatise intitled, An humble attempt to promote explicit
agreement, and visible union of
GOD's people in ex|- sk
traordinary prayer, for the revival of religion &c. Recommended by five of the principal minirters in Bo/ion. PubIn which he shews his great acquaintance lilhed in 1747.
with scripture, and his attention to, and good understanding of the prophetic part of it.
An account of the life of the rev. Mr. David Brainerd ' miniifer of the gospel and mifltionary to the Indians &c. Published in the v/ith refledioni nd observations thereon.
An enquiry into the qualifications for full communion Publill icd in the year 1749. mtendin.the vihble church. td as an explanation and vindication of his principles in the mailer, wliiJi occafiuned his difmilfion from Northampton. A repJy 10 the rev. Mr. Il' ilHarns answer to the forc-
mcniioned inquiry.
Pubhlhcd in the year 1752.
A Sermon pre'ach'd at Ni-wark before the Synod, Sept. 28. 1752. from Jam. ii. 19- mtitled. True race diftinguilhcd Irom the experience ol Devils.
A carcUil an<i
iix'xSi
inquirv into the
modern prevailing
frcedum ot will, v\hich is fuppoled to be. Publilhed in the year 1754. cifcniul to moral agency «?ic. I'his is JalUy thou£lii l)v good judges to be one of llie ;rcate(l tni>ris ot the imman mind, thai has appeared, at' lcal\, in this ceoiury. In which the author ihcws tir.u ijj ail .l.cn/jh of m:nJ, tliai jud mcni,. penetration and
iio'iou of that
nccuracy
JMr.
J0NATHA rEDWARDS
accuracy of thought, that justly intitles him to the chaThis itdter of one of the greatest genius's of this age. trcatife doubtless goes further towards fettling the main points in controversy between Calvinists and Arminians, than any thing that has been wrote ; he having herein abundantly demonstrated the chief principles on which Arminians build their whole scheme, to be false and most Whenever therefore this book comes to be geabfurd. nerally attended to, it will doubtless prove fatal to Arminian and Pelagian Principles. This was re-printed in London Anno 1762: and has been introduced by the Rev. T. CLAP, President of Yale College,to be recited there .|dp
by the Students.
The great christian docStrine of Original Sin defended ; evidences of its truth produced, and arguments to the Containing, in particular, a reply to contrary answered. the objedions and arguings of Dr. John Taylor &c. This was in theprefs when Publifticd in the year 1758. he died. Besides these, he publiflied, several Ordination Sermons, and fomc others, prc h'd upon particular occasions.
APPENDIX.
J P P E N D I Xy 'l, Containing a brief
EsTTEK. Burr,
ACCOUNT of Mrs. and
some
Extracts of
LETTERS wrote by her. and her children were inoculated MRs.the Burr same time her was, and were recovered
father
when he died. But after (he was perse(5tly recovered to all appearance, she was fuddcnly feired with a violent disorder, which carried her out of the world in t and which the physician said he could call by few days no name but that of J Mejinger sent fuddcnly ]so call htr out She died Jpril n. 1758. sixteen days after §fthe world. She was married ncr father, in the ayth year or her age. to Mr. Burr June 29. 1752. By him Ihc had two children, a son and a daughter. Mrs. Burr exceeded most of her sex in the beauty of her person ; and in a decent and easy gefturc, behaviour not stiff and starch on the one hand, and conversation nor mean and indecent on the other, in her unaffe<fted, natural freedom with persons of all ranks, with whom fhc Her genius was much more than common. convcrfcd. She had a lively, sprightly imagination, a quick and peneShe had a pecutrating thought, and a good judgment. liar smartness in her make and temper, which yet wasconand (he knew how fiitcnt with pleasantness & good naiurc to be pleasant & facetious without trefpafling on the bounds of gravity, or ftri(5t and fcrious religion. In (hon, fhc fecm'd to be form'd to plcafe, and cfpecially to please one o Mr. Bujj\ taHe and talents, in whom he was exceeding But what crown'd all her excellencies, and was happy. her chief glory, was her Religion. She was hopefully converted when Ihe was 7 or 8 years Id i and (he made a publick profeftjon of religion when file was about 15 years of age i and her convcn'aiion and conduct to her death, :
was exemplary and as becomcth godliness. But as her religious sentiments and excrcifes, will best be undcrftood by thofe who were strangers to her, by her own words ; th* following extracSts are made from letters which ftic wrote not long before her death. The following is an extrad from a Letter the wrott to her Mother, not long after Mr. Burr's death, dated at After giving some account Prime-ton OSiober 7. 1757. of Mr. Burr's death, and representing the sense she had of the greatness of the loss (he and her children had sustained, flic writes in the following words, <*
doubt dear Madam, will be some comfort to so you, to hear that GOD has not utterly forsaken, it
I would speak it to the glory altho' he has cast down. of God's name, that I think he has in an uncommon «« degree discovered himself to be an all-sufficient <' a full fountain of all good. Altho' all streams were cut " off, yet the fountain is left full. ** I think I have been enabled to cast my care upon him, *« and have found great peace and calm in my mmd, such *' as this world cannot give, nor take. " I have had uncommon freedom, and nearness to thi *' throne of grace. has fecmed sensibly near in such <c a supporting and comforting manner, that I think I have ** never experienced the like. *' has helped me to review my past and present *< mercies, with some heart- affeding degree of thank«<
GOD,
fulness.
I think has given me such a sense of the vanity of the world, and uncertainty of all sublunary enjoy«« ments, as I never had before. The world vanishes out ' of my sight. Heavenly and eternal things appear much *« more real and important than ever before. I feel my *« self to be under much greater obligations to be thcLord's, * than before this fore afflidion. * The way of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ has * appeared more clear and excellent and I have been ; " conftraincd to venture my All upon Him ; and have " found great peace of soul, in what I hope has been a(5l ; ings of faith. Some parts of the Psalms have been very comforting and rcfrcfhing to my soul. *<
I hope has helped mc to eye his hand in this awful dispensation ; and to see the intiniie right he has * * to his own, and to dispose of them as he pleases. *' Thus, dear Madam, I have given you some broken ' hints of the exercises and fupporis of my mind, fmcc ** the Death of Him, whose memory and example, will *' ever be precious to me as my own life. *' dear iMadam I doubt not but 1 have your, and
" my honored father's prayers daily for me '*
but give mc ; leave to intrcat you both to request earnestly of the Lord, that
may never despise
" der this his severe ilroke
chaftcnings, nor faint unwhich I am sensible there is should only deny mc the sup-
great danger ot, if
ports, that he has hitherto graciously granted,
O, I am afraid I shall conducSt so as to bring dishonor No, *' rather let me die this moment, than be left to bring *'
on my GOD, and the religion wrhich I profess
am overcome
must conclude with once more begging, that as
dirtionor on
GOD's holy name.
" dear parents remember themselves, they would not for'*
get their greatly affli<5fed daughterjf now a lonely widow)
nor her taiherlefs children. My duty to my ever dear and honored parents, love to my brothers and fiftcrs. From, dear Madam,
your dutiful and affecflionate daughter,
ESTHER BURR. *'
To my ever honored Father. Prince- ton
Nov.
letter
Honored S'lr
altho'
aftcc ionate,
comforting
was exceedingly rcfrefhing to mc, was something damp'd by hearing that I
should not see you until spring.f But 'tis my comfort in this difappointmcnr, as well as under all my afhi<5ti-
that
GOD knows what
bed for mc, and for his
own t
When Mr. Ki. ardi wrote the J.e:tcr fvic refer» to, he did not think of going to Prince-ton till spring ; but he afterwards dctcr/nin'd o;hcr\vilc, and went in Januarv, ia:cd.
before t&- own glory. Perhaps I lotted too much on the company and conversation of such a near and dear and affe6\io*' nate father and guide. I can't doubt bur all is for the ** best, fliould order the and I am satisfied that " affair of your removal as (hall be for his glory, what*' ever comes of me. " Since I wrote my mother's letter, has carried " me thro' new trials, and given me new supports. My *< little son has been Tick with the How 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 enabled to resign the child (after a fe"vere Ihuggle with nature) with the greatest freedom. *VGOD fliewed me that the child was not my own, but *' and that he had a right to recall what he had lent, his " whenever he thought fit ; and 1 had no reason to coni" plain, or say was hard with me. This fijenccd *' me. " But O, how good is He not only kef)t me *V from complaining, but comforted me by enabling mc " to offer up the child by faith, 1 think, if ever 1 aded faith. <
saw the fulness there was in Chrifl for little Infants his willnignefs to accept of such as were offer'd to « Him. ' Suffer little children to come unto me, and " forbid them not ;" were comforting words. " alio (liewed me in such a hvely manner, the *'
" fullness there was in himself of all spiritual bleflings, « that I said, Altho' all llreams were cutoff, yet so Jong <« as.my GOD lives, 1 have enough. He enabled me ta " Ahho' thou
mc, yet will I trust in thee." into a rc1 was led to enter " newed and explicit covenant with GOD, in a more " solemn manner than ever before; and with the greatest-
say,
llay
this time of trial,
"freedom and delight. Atter much self-exammariori " and prayer, I did give up my self and children to GOD, " with my whole heart. Never until how, had I a fenlc <* of the priviledge we are allowed in covenanting with " God This ad of soul left my mind in a quiet and " steady trufl in GOD. I
A few dsys after this, one evening, in talking of the
" glorious fiate my dear departed hulband muU be in, rny ''
soul-
w s carried out .
such longing defues aher thts
gloriouj.
glorious state, that I* was forced to retire from the family alone, 1 was so tranfportcd, to conceal my joy.
When
and my soul carried out in such c gcr desires after per*< fe(flion, and the full enjoyment of GOD, and to serve «* him uninterruptedly, thatl'think my Nature would not « have born much more. I think,dear fir, I had that night, * a forctafte of heaven. This frame continued in fomc " good degree the whole night. 1 slept but little, and ** when I did, my dreams were all of heavenly and divine things. Frequently since, I have felt the same in kind, «* tho* not in degree. Thus a kind and gracious has been with me in fix troubles, and in seven. ** But Sir,what cause of deep humiliation and abafc" ment of soul have I,on account of remaining corruption ; ** which I see working continually, especially pride O, **
how many (hapes does pride cloke it fclf in **
Satan is also busy (hooting his darts
but, bleffcd
" be GOD, thofe temptations of his, that ufcd to over«*
throw me, as yet, have not touched me.
" livcred from the power of satan, as well as sin 1 can't * help hoping the time is near. GOD is certainly fitting " me for himself and when I think it will be soon that !
« I (hall be called
hence, the thought is tranfportmg."
APPENDIX, N-
Containing a short Sketch of Mrs.Eo war ds*s Life and Character. Edwards, the amiable consort of prcMRs. Sarah Edwards, did not long him. In survive
fidcnt
out in good health on a journey to Philadelphia, to take care of her two orphan grandchildren, which- were now in that city ; and had been, fmce the death ofmn, Burr. As they had no relations in thofe parts, Mrs. Edwards propofcd to take them into her own family. She arived there by the way of PhnetSeptembtr
tin Sept.
(lie set
21. in good htalth,
having had a comfortable journey.
APPEF'DIX.
journey. But in a few Jays (he was fuddcnly feizcd with a violent dysentery, which put an end to her life on the fifth day, Oc5tober 2. 1758, in the 49th Year of her age. She said not much in her sickness-; being exercised most of the rime with violent pain. On the morning of the day (he died, (he apprehended her death was near : when (he exand dcfirc that prefted her entire resignation to might be glorified in all things ; and that (he might and continued in be cnaWed to glorify him to the last
GOD,
such a temper, calm and resigned till (he died. Her remains were carried to Princeton which is about 40 miles from Philadelphia, and depoficed with Mr. Ed* WARDs's. Thus they who were in their lives remarkably lovely and pleasant, in their death were not much divided.
Here lie the Father and Mother, the Son and Daughter
who are laid together in the grave, within the space of a more than a year, tho* a few months before their dwelling was more than 150 miles apart. Two presidents of the same College, and their consorts, than whom it will dpubtlefs be hard to find four persons more valuable and tifeful ; in a few months are cut off from the earth forever i and by a remarkable providence are put, as it were, into one grave And we the survivors are left under the gloomy appreheftfion that thefc righteous are taken away from the little
evil to come
Surely Amtrica is greatly emptied by these deaths How much knowledge, wisdom and holiness is gone from the earth for ever And where are they who (hall make !
good their ground Mrs. Edwards was born in New-Haven,in Conne6licut, Jan. 9. 1709,10. Her father was the rev. Mr. Jambs PiERPOiNT, who was long an eminently godly and useful mini(ier of the gospel tt New-Haven. % She was married XQ Mr. Edwards, July 20. 1727. in the iSth year of her !
Tho J He was the cldcft son of Mr. John Pierpoint of Roxbarjr who came out of England. Her mother was Mrt. Mary Pitrpoint eldert daughter of the rev. Mr. Samuel Hooker, mmiftcr of the gospel at Farmington in Conncfticut, and son of the rev. Mr. Thomas Hooker, once minister oi the gospel at Hartford, aa4 famous at adirine, thro' all chd ehurcheiia N«w-£aglacd.
Tho* iVIrs. Edwards's full chara(5\er will not be attempted liere, yet it is thought proper to meniion a few things, in which (he excelled, and set an example worthy the imitation oi
all.
She rcmcmber'd her creator in the days of her youth, and became truly and remarkably religious at about tivc years old. Was a more than ordinary beautiful person ; of a pleafanr, agreable countenance ; ot an amiable, courteous conversation and behaviour the law of kindnef* was in her tongue. She was einment foi her piety and experimental religion. :
Religious conversation was much h.er dchght and this (he promoted in all companies as far as was proper and decent tor her snd herdikourfe lliew'd her understanding in divine things, and the great impreftion they had on her mind. 'I'he friends of true religion, and ihey who were ready to engage in religious conversation, and delighted in that "which was n\vA elTcntial and pra( ical in true religion were To whom Ihe would her peculiar friends and intimates. rpen her mind freely, and tell them the excrcifes of her own heart and what God had done for her soul, for their encourageiTient, and excitement in the ways of God. Her mind appear'd,to them who were mofl converf nt with ;
conllantly to attend to divine things, even on
tier,
and in all bufmcfs of
cafions,
life.
The religitius duties of the closet,{lie was a great friend to,
and took muoh delight in them.
She highly prized
wont to attend the private meetings or reliiiious worlhip, which vvere kept up t\ crthampicriy while Mr. Edwards lived there. And promoted and {ocjal
worship.
ntteixled meetings of perlons of her own
fe(5ts only,in
order
and religious conversation. She was a constant aiTcndcr on publick woiOiip i and behaved with great gravity and ferioufncfs in the houfc of GOO. She paid proper dcicrcncc to Mr. Edward?, and treated him with decency and refpecfl at all times. As he was of weakly, inhrm constitution, and was peculiar and cx1 in his diet, flie was a tender nurse to him chearfully attending upon him at all tiines, and miniftring to his comfort and spared no pains to conform to his inclinatfons, and make things agreeable and comfortable to him. She accounted it her greated glory, and that wherein llic could best fcrvc God and her gcncratio i, in being a lor prayer promoting Mr. Edwards's comfort and ufeand no person of discerning could be conversant in the family without observing and admiring the great harmony and mutual love and eftecm that subsisted between them. When she her self labour'd under bodily difordcrs and pains, which was often the cafe, (lie was not wonr to be full of her complaints, and put on a dejected or foui countenance, being out of humour with every body and every but flic thing, zs if /ht was difregarged and neglecfted would bare up under them with patience, and a kind of checrfulnefs and good humour. She was a good oeconomift, managing her houfhold affairs with discretion ; in which flie was laborious and diShe was very careful that nothing (hould be wafted Jigcnt. and loft. And often, when flie did any thing to fave a small matter, or dire(5fcd her children to do it in any instance, or saw them waftc any thing ftic would mention the words of our Saviour ; which, (he said, she often tho't of, as containing a maxim worth remembering when, as the reason why his disciples Ihould gather up the fragments, he says. That nothing be lost. She took almost the whole care of the temporal ass airs of the family, without doors and within and in this she was peculiarly suited to Mr. Edwards's disposition, who chose to have DO care of any worldly business. She had an excellent way of governing her children : she knew how to make them regard and obey her cheerfully without loud, angry words, or heavy blows. She fel-dom ftrook her children a blow and in speaking to them used mild, gentle and pleasant words. If any correction
means
fulness in this way.
was needful, it was not her manner to give it in a paftlon.
And when she had occasion to reprove and
rebuke,
would do it in few words, without heat and noise, with all calmness and gentleness of mind. And in her directions or reproofs, in any matters of importance, (he would address herfelt to the realon of her children, that they might not only know her inclination and will, but at the same time, be convinced of the realonablencls of it. She
need speak but encg ; ftie was chearfully obeyed ; murmuring and anlwering again was not known among them'; And the kind&gentle treatment they had from their mother, Vi-hile il\e ftri' lly A' pury ualy maintain'd her parental authority j1PPENT>IX.
thority, fccm'd naturally to beget and promote a filial regard and lead them to a mild, tender treatment ;
and rcfpe<5t
of each other ; for quareling and contention, as it frequently takes place among children, was not known among them. She carefully observed the first appearances of rcJcntment and ill-will towards any, in her young children ; and did not connive at it and promote it, as many who have the care of children do, but was careful to shew her not by difpieafure at it, and fupprcfs it to her utmoQ anary, wrathful words and blows, which often provoke children to wrath, and stir up and confirm their irascible paftions, rather than abate and suppress them. As (he was fcnfible that in many refpec s, the chief care o forming children by government and mftrucftion, naturally lies on mothers ; as they are most with their children in their most pliable age, when they commonly receive impreflions by which they are very much form'd so (he was very careful to do her part in this imfor life And when (he met with any special portant business. diflbculty in this matter, or foresaw any, she was wont to and on ipply to Mr. Edwardi for advice and a(ri( ance such occasions they would both attend to it, as a matter of great importance. But this was not all, in which (he exprel"s'd her care for her children. She thought that parents had great and important duty to do towards their children before they were capable of government and inoruvf ion. For them (he cohftantly and earnef ly pray'd, and bore them on her heart before God, in all her fccret and most solemn addreftcs to him ; and that even before they were born. The cviclence of her pregnancy, and consideration that it was with a rational, immortal creature, which came into exigence in an undone, and infinitely dreadful state, was sufficient to lead her to bow before God daily for his ble(ring on it j even redemption, and eternal life by Jesus Christ. bo that thro' all the pain, labour and sorrow, which attended her being the mother of children, Ihe was in travail for them, tkat they might be born of by having :
Christ formed in them. As the law of kimlnefs was in her tongue, so her hands
were rot withheld from beneficence and charily. She was always a friend and patroncfs of the poor and helpless ; and much in a s of charity, as well as recommending it to others Qn all proper occasions. Shi
She was remarkable for her kindncfs to her friends and who resorted to Mr.EowARDs's. She would fparo to make them welcome, and provide for their pains no convenience and comfort. And {he was peculiarly kind to She would take such strangers, who came to her house.
visitants,
kind and special notice of such, and so soon get acquainted regard and as it were, and shew such with them, concern for their comfort, and so kindly offer what fhc thought they needed, as to discover (he knew the heart of a stranger, and well underflood how to do it good ; and so as to oblige them to feel in some measure as if they were at home.
She made it her rule to speak well of all, so far as (he She could with truth, and justice to herself and others. >was not wont to dwell with delight on the imperfections and failings of any ; and when (he heard persons speaking ill of others, she would say what she thought she could with truth and justice in their excuse j or divert the obloquy by mentioning thofe things that were commendable in them. Thus Ihe was tender of every one's charadler, even of theirs who injured and spoke evil of her ; and carefully guarded against the too common vice of evil speaking and backbiting. She could bear injuries and reproach with great calmness & patience,without any disposition to render evil for evil ; but on the contrary, was ready to pity and forgive thofe who appeared to be her enemies. She had long told her intimate friends that she had, after long struggles and exercises, obtained, by God's grace, an habitual willingness to die her self, or part with any of her most near relatives. That she was willing to bring forth children for death ; and resign up him whom she cfteemed so great a bleiTmg to her & her family,her nearefb partner, to the stroke of death, whenever should see fit to take him. And when (he had the greatest trial in the death of Mr. Edwards, she found the help and comfort of such a disposition. Her conversation and condu(5l on this occasion was even to the admiration of her friends. It was such as discover'd that she was sensible' ot the great loss, Ihe and her children had sustain'd in his death ; and at the same time shewed, that ihe was quiet and resigned,and had thofe inv (ibie supports and comforts by which flie could trust in with quietness, hope and
humble joy. \
They
PPEN'DIX.
They lived together in the married state above thirty years.
In which time they had eleven children ; all which
are now living, except the second daughter, who died Fdr 14. 1748. (ot whom the publick have some account in the hfe ot Mr. Brainerd P SC J and their ihirddaughter,
Mrs. Burry before mentioned ; and
daughter,
named Elizabeth who
their youngest
died fincc
her parents.
The surviving children arc three sons, and five daughters.
THE END.