January 20, 2017

Memoirs of Jonathan Edwards in Vol I of the Works - XXII - Chapter 22

Required reading
Memoirs of Jonathan Edwards in Volume I of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 22.

My summary.

This week the troubles with the Indian school in Stockbridge come to a close as all attempts to remove Edwards are thwarted and the primary individual leaves.

The reading today is also concerned with:
(i) discussion of other missionary efforts to the Indians;
(ii) the illness of Edwards' elders sons;
(iii) the completion of the 'Treatise on the Freedom of the Will';
(iv) Mr Gillespie's dismissal by the General Assembly of the church of Scotland.

What grabbed me
I was encouraged by Edwards' words of consolation to Gillespie: 'You have some peculiar reasons to rejoice in your sufferings, and to glorify God on account of them. They having been so greatly taken notice of by so many of the people of God, and there being so much written concerning them, tends to render them, with their circumstances, and particularly the patience and meekness with which you have suffered, so much the more extensively and durably to the glory of the name of your blessed lord, for whom you suffer. God is rewarding—you for laying a foundation, in what has been said and done and written concerning your sufferings, for glory to his own name, and honour to you, in his church, in future generations. Your name will doubtless be mentioned hereafter with peculiar respect, on the account of these sufferings, in ecclesiastical history; as they are now the occasion of a peculiar notice, which saints and angels in heaven take of you, and of their praises to God on your account; and will be the occasion of a peculiar reward, which God will bestow upon you, when you shall be united to their assembly.'

In times of suffering, it always helps to keep your eyes on your Father in heaven.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 23.


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

No comments: