September 26, 2010

Life and Diary of David Brainerd - Edwards - VII - Part 8

Required reading
Life and Diary of David Brainerd by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Part 8.

My summary
We've now come to the end of Brainerd's life.  He is becoming increasingly sick and is diagnosed as terminally ill. 

However, due to his success with the Indians, 'He was much visited...by many persons of considerable note and character, and by some of the first rank; who showed him uncommon respect, and appeared highly pleased and entertained with his conversation.' 

Then as Brainerd draws closer and closer to death his thoughts appear to be more and more taken up with heaven and the glory with which he will soon give to God there.

What grabbed me
I liked what Brainerd said he was thankful for: 'I could not but feel some measure of gratitude to God at this time (wherein I was much exercised,) that he had always disposed me, in my ministry, to insist on the great doctrines of regeneration, the new creature, faith in Christ, progressive sanctification, supreme love to God, living entirely to the glory of God, being not our own, and the like. God thus helped me to see, the surest manner, from time to time, that these, and the like doctrines necessarily connected with them, are the only foundation of safety and salvation for perishing sinners; and that those divine dispositions, which are consonant hereto, are that holiness, "without which no man shall see the Lord." The exercise of these God-like tempers - wherein the soul acts in a kind of concert with God, and would be and do every thing that is pleasing to him-I saw, would stand by the soul in a dying hour; for God must, I think, deny himself, if he cast away his own image, even the soul that is one in desires with himself.'

Excellent statement!

Next week's reading
Commence the second part of Brainerd's Journal by reading the Preface and Part I 'From AD 1745 June 19th to Nov 4th at Crossweeksung and forks of Delaware'
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Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

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