Freedom of the will - Edwards - X - Part IV concluded

Required reading
Freedom of the Will by Jonathan Edwards (available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Part IV by reading Section XII, XIII & XIV and also read the Appendix (Section XV).

My summary
Today we come to the end of the book.

In Section XII Edwards answers the charge that Calvinist doctrine leads to atheism and licentiousness.  Edwards rebuts it by pointing out that most of those who believe in some form of determinism are theists, not atheists.

Then in Section XIII the final criticism is examined, that Calvinism is metaphysical and abstruse.  Edwards says: 'If the reasoning be good, it is as frivolous to inquire what science it is properly reduced to, as what language it is delivered in: and for a man to go about to confute the arguments of his opponent, by telling him, his arguments are metaphysical, would be as weak as to tell him, his arguments could not be substantial, because they were written in French or Latin. The question is not, whether what is said be metaphysics, physics, logic, or mathematics, Latin, French, English, or Mohawk? But whether the reasoning be good, and the arguments truly conclusive?'

Then in the conclusion Edwards gives a summary of the arguments developed in his book. 

Finally, the conclusion is followed with an Appendix outlining his arguments once again, but in the form of a letter to an Arminian minister.

What grabbed me
I enjoyed one of Edwards' last points about people not believing in the sovereignty of God because they humbly fear to stain God's morality: 'Others express themselves yet more modestly: they express a tenderness and religious fear, lest they should receive and teach any thing that should seem to reflect on God’s moral character, or be a disparagement to his methods of administration, in his moral government; and therefore express themselves as not daring to embrace some doctrines, though they seem to be delivered in Scripture, according to the more obvious and natural construction of the words. But indeed it would show a truer modesty and humility, if they would more entirely rely on God’s wisdom and discernment, who knows infinitely better than we what is agreeable to his own perfections, and never intended to leave these matters to the decision of the wisdom and discernment of men; but by his own unerring instruction, to determine for us what the truth is; knowing how little our judgment is to be depended on, and how extremely prone vain and blind men are to err in such matters.'

Rather than upholding God's character, reducing his sovereignty damages God's character.

One sentence final verdict
If you want a book that demonstrates the complete sovereignty of God over all things look no further than Edwards - with his use of the Bible and powerful, powerful logic, he makes a very compelling case.

Next week's reading
Commence Mortification of sin by John Owen (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading the Preface and Chapters 1 and 2.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.