Forty-Six Sermons in Volume II of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon II from the section entitled 'Seventeen Occasional Sermons'.
Today Edwards expounds HOSEA v. 15.' I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.'
His primary doctrine is 'That it is God’s manner to make men sensible of their misery and unworthiness, before he appears in his mercy and love to them.'
Thus Edwards shows us that:
(i) This is God’s ordinary way before great and signal expressions of his mercy and favour;
(ii) it is God’s manner to make men sensible of their misery and unworthiness before he reveals his saving love and mercy to their souls;
(iii) They are made sensible of the desert of their sin; that their sin deserves that wrath of God to which it exposes them.
Then Edwards gives us reasons why God does this:
(i) How agreeable to the divine wisdom does it seem, that the sinner should be brought to such a conviction of his danger and misery, as to perceive his utter incapacity to help himself;
(ii) Unless a man be thus convinced of his sin and misery before God makes him sensible of his redeeming love and mercy, he cannot be sensible of that love and mercy as it is; viz. that it is free and sovereign;
(iii) Until the sinner is convinced of his sin and misery, he is not prepared to receive the redeeming mercy and grace of God, as through a Mediator;
(iv) By this means the redeeming mercy and love of God are more highly prized and rejoiced in, when discovered;
(v) The heart is more prepared and disposed to praise God for it.
Then Edward made applications to:
(i) unconverted sinners;
(ii) those who have some convictions of sin and danger.
What grabbed me
I loved the point that we are more joyous from knowing our wretchedness: 'By this means the redeeming mercy and love of God are more highly prized and rejoiced in, when discovered. By the previous discoveries of danger, misery, and helplessness, and desert of wrath, the heart is prepared to embrace a discovery of mercy. When the soul stands trembling at the brink of the pit, and despairs of any help from itself, it is prepared joyfully to receive tidings of deliverance. If God is pleased at such a time to make the soul hear his still small voice, his call to himself and to a Saviour, the soul is prepared to give it a joyful reception. The gospel then, if it be heard spiritually, will be glad tidings indeed; the most joyful which the sinner ever heard. The love of God and of Christ to the world, and to him in particular, will be admired, and Christ will be most precious. To remember what danger he was in, what seas surrounded him; and then to reflect how safe he now is in Christ, and how sufficient Christ is to defend him, and to answer all his wants, will cause the greater exultation of soul. God, in this method of dealing with the souls of his elect, consults their happiness, as well as his own glory. And it increases happiness, to be made sensible of their misery and unworthiness, before God comforts them; for their comfort, when they receive it, is so much the sweeter. '
Out of our sorrow comes even greater joy.
Next week's reading
Read Sermon III from the section entitled 'Seventeen Occasional Sermons'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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