Miscellaneous Discourses in Vol II of the Works - Edwards - XXII - Christian Pilgrim

Required reading

Miscellaneous Discourses in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read 'The Christian Pilgrim'.

My summary

Today's text is "And confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country." (Heb. 11:13-14)

Edwards teaches us:

I. That this life ought to be so spent by us as to be only a journey or pilgrimage towards heaven;

II. Why the Christian's life is a journey, or pilgrimage;

III. Instruction afforded by the consideration, that life is a journey, or pilgrimage towards heaven;

IV. Exhortations so to spend the present life, that it may only be a journey towards heaven.

What grabbed me

Great sermon. I always love the illustration of us as pilgrims: 'When a man is on a journey, all the steps he takes are subordinated to the aim of getting to his journey’s end. And if he carries money or provisions with him, it is to supply him in his journey. So we ought wholly to subordinate all our other business, and all our temporal enjoyments, to this affair of travelling to heaven. When any thing we have becomes a clog and hinderance to us, we should quit it immediately. The use of our worldly enjoyments and possessions, should be with such a view, and in such a manner, as to further us in our way heavenward. Thus we should eat, and drink, and clothe ourselves, and improve the conversation and enjoyment of friends. And whatever business we are setting about, whatever design we are engaging in, we should inquire with ourselves, whether this business or undertaking will forward us in our way to heaven? And if not, we should quit our design.'

Amen!

Next week's reading

Commence 'Man's natural blindness' by reading Sections I, II and III.

Now it's your turn

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