Religious Affections in Vol I of the Works - Edwards - V - Part 3 commenced

Required reading
Religious affections in Volume I of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Part 3 by reading Section 1.

My summary.

Now Edwards begins to show what are the distinguishing signs of truly gracious and holy affections.

But firstly, he makes two preliminary observations:

(i) 'I am far from undertaking to give such signs of gracious affections, as shall be sufficient to enable any certainly to distinguish true affections from false in others';

(ii) No such signs are to be expected that shall be sufficient to enable those saints certainly to discern their own good estate, who are very low in grace.

Then Edwards proceeds to show that affections that are truly spiritual and gracious, arise from those influences and operations on the heart, which are spiritual, supernatural and divine.  He distinguishes between natural and spiritual men and the way that the Spirit influences the spiritual men particularly.

What grabbed me

I really appreciated Edwards' candor at the beginning of this section: 'I am far from undertaking to give such signs of gracious affections, as shall be sufficient to enable any certainly to distinguish true affections from false in others; or to determine positively which of their neighbours are true professors, and which are hypocrites. In so doing, I should be guilty of that arrogance which I have been condemning. It is plain that Christ has given rules to all Christians, to enable them to judge of those professors of religion, with whom they are concerned, so far as is necessary for their own safety, and to prevent their being led into a snare by false teachers, and false pretenders to religion. It is also beyond doubt, that the Scriptures abound with rules, which may be very serviceable to ministers, in counselling and conducting souls committed to their care, in things appertaining to their spiritual and eternal state. Yet it is also evident, that it was never God's design to give us any rules, by which we may certainly know, who of our fellow-professors are his, and to make a full and clear separation between sheep and goats. On the contrary, it was God's design to reserve this to himself, as his prerogative. And therefore no such distinguishing signs as shall enable Christians or ministers to do this, are ever to be expected to the world's end: for no more is ever to be expected from any signs found in the word of God, or gathered from it, than Christ designed them for.'

It is God, and he alone, who knows for sure who is saved and who is not!

Next week's reading

Continue Part 3 by reading Section 2 and 3.

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