Miscellaneous Discourses in Vol II of the Works - Edwards - XIV - Sinners in Zion Tenderly Warned

Required reading

Miscellaneous Discourses in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read 'Sinners in Zion Tenderly Warned'.

My summary

Today's sermon is on 'The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?' (Isa. 33:14)

Edwards shows:

(i) who are sinners in Zion (those who are in a natural condition among the visible people of God);
(ii) how fearfulness will hereafter surprise sinners in Zion;
(iii) why sinners in general will hereafter be surprised with fear;
(iv) why it will be especially thus with sinners in Zion, who dwell among God's visible people;
(v) an earnest exhortation to sinners in Zion, not to fly from the devouring fire and everlasting burnings.

What grabbed me

It is always a fearful thing to consider the wrath of God on those who know the gospel but do not repent: 'The wrath of God is in his word manifested against the wicked heathens; but it is ten times as much manifested against those sinners who make the profession and enjoy the privileges of the people of God; and yet remain enemies to God. Both the Old Testament and the New are full of terrible denunciations against such. Read the books of Moses, read the prophets, and you will find them full of dreadful threatenings against such. Read over the history of Christ’s life and the speeches which he made when upon earth; there you will see what woes and curses he frequently denounced against such. How often did he say, that it should be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for the cities in which most of his mighty works were done! Read over the history of the Acts of the Apostles, and their epistles; there you will find the same. It is the sinners in Zion, or hypocrites, that are always in Scripture spoken of as the people of God’s wrath: Isa. x. 6. “I will send him against a hypocritical nation, against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil.”

May we all examine our hearts for true faith in the Saviour.

Next week's reading

Read 'The end of the wicked'.

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.