Required reading
Memoirs of Jonathan Edwards in Volume I of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 9.
My summary
Today's reading is a little eclectic. The editors comments are broken up with quotes from letters and endorsements of Edwards' writing.
We learn about:
(i) Whitefield's visit to Northampton and Edwards' conversation with Whitefield on points of theological differences;
(ii) Edwards' exhortations to his family and other young people;
(iii) Edwards' experience of lay preachers (and Gilbert Tennent's counsel on the matter);
(iv) Edwards' treatise on the 'Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God';
(v) Hopkins' decision to be Edwards' pupil.
What grabbed me
Edwards' letter to a young lady was full of helpful advice: 'When you hear a sermon, hear for yourself. Though what is spoken may be more especially directed to the unconverted, or to those that, in other respects, are in different circumstances from yourself; yet, let the chief intent of your mind be to consider, 'In what respect is this applicable to me? and what improvement ought I to make of this, for my own soul's good?'
If only all sermon hearers (including preachers themselves) put such advice into practice!
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 10.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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