The outlines of that work are now offered to the public,
as contained in a series of sermons, preached at Northampton
in 1739,* without any view to publication. On that account,
the reader cannot reasonably expect all that from them, which
he might justly have expected, had they been written with
such a view, and prepared by the Author's own hand for the
press.

As to elegance of composition, which is now esteemed so
essential to all publications, it is well known, that the Author
did not make that his chief study. However, his other writ-
ings, though destitute of the ornaments of fine language, have
it seems that solid merit, which has procured both to them-
selves and to him a considerable reputation in the world, and
with many an high esteem. It is hoped that the reader will
find in these discourses many traces of plain good sense,
sound reasoning, and thorough knowledge of the sacred ora-
cles, and real unfeigned piety; and that, as the plan is new,
and many of the sentiments uncommon, they may afford en-
tertainment and improvement to the ingenious, the inquisitive,
and the pious reader; may confirm their faith in God's gov-
ernment of the world, in our holy Christian religion in gen-
eral, and in many of its peculiar doctrines; may assist in
studying with greater pleasure and advantage the historical
and prophetical books of scripture; and may excite to a con-
versation becoming the gospel.

That this volume may produce these happy effects in all
who shall peruse it is the hearty desire and prayer of
The reader's most humble servant,

JONATHAN EDWARDS.

Newhaven, Feb. 25, 1773.

* This is necessary to be remembered by the reader, in order to understand
some chronological observations in the following work.

From the Babylonish captivity to the coming of Christ,

IMPROVEMENT.

Inspiration, and usefulness of the books of the Old Testament,

PERIOD II.

The time of Christ's bumiliation,

-

180

PART I.

Of Christ's becoming incarnate to capacitate himself for the purchase of

redemption, -

-

181

PART II.

Of the purchase itself,

- 190

SECT. 1. What is intended by Christ's purchasing redemption,

ibid.

SECT. 2. Observations concerning this purchase,

SECT. 3. Sufferings by which Christ purchased redemption,

SECT. 1. Reproof of unbelief, selfrighteousness, and neglect of salva-

tion, -

SECT. 2. Encouragement to trust in Christ, for salvation,

PART II.

PAGE

How Christ accomplished this success,

245

SECT. 1. How this success is accomplished by God's grace here,

246

§

1. The means of this success established after Christ's resurrection,

ibid.

§2. The success itself,

253

FIRST. In the suffering state of the Church,

ibid.

I. From Christ's resurrection till the destruction of Jerusalem,

256

11. From the destruction of Jerusalem to that of the Heathen empire,

266

INFERENCE. Truth of Christianity argued from the success of the gospel, 277

III. Success from the time of Constantine till the fall of Antichrist,

281

1st. From Constantine till the rise of Antichrist,

ibid.

2dly. From the rise of Antichrist till the reformation,

4. Present state of things with regard to the success of the gospel,

1. Truth of Christianity argued from the events of this period, -

2. The spirit of true Christians a spirit of suffering,

3. What reason we have to expect that events foretold in scripture, not

yet fulfilled, shall be accomplished,

327

4thly. How the success of redemption shall be carried on till Antichrist's

fall,

328

SECONDLY, Success of redemption through that space wherein the christ-

ian church shall for the most part enjoy prosperity,

I. Prosperity of the church through the greater part of this period, 347

II. The great apostacy that shall take place towards the end of this period, 354

346

SECT. II. The success of redemption in glory,

358

General remarks on this success,.

359

The particular manner in which this success is accomplished,

ibid.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE WHOLE.

I. How great a work the work of redemption is,

-

II. God the Alpha and Omega, of all things,

III. Christ in all things has the preeminence,

IV. The consistency, order, and beauty of providence,

-

-

V. The scriptures the word of God,

VI. The majesty and power of God in the work of redemption,

VII. The glorious wisdom of God in the work of redemption,

VIII. The stability of God's faithfulness to his people,

-

IX. How happy a society the church of Christ is,

X. The misery of those that are not interested in Christ,

WORK

OF

REDEMPTION.

ISAIAH li. 8.

FOR THE MOTH SHALL EAT, THEM UP LIKE A GARMENT, AND THE WORM SHALL EAT THEM LIKE WOOL: BUT MY RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL BE FOREVER, AND MY SALVATION FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

THE design of this chapter is to comfort the church under her sufferings, and the persecutions of her enemies; and the argument of consolation insisted on, is, the constancy and perpe'tuity of God's mercy and faithfulness towards her, which shall be manifest in continuing to work salvation for her, protecting her against all assaults of her enemies, and carrying her safely through all the changes of the world, and finally crowning her with victory and deliverance.

In the text, this happiness of the church of God is set forth by comparing it with the contrary fate of her enemies that oppress her. And therein we may observe,

1. How short lived the power and prosperity of the church's enemies is: The moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool; i. e. however great their prosperity is, and however great their present glory, they shall by degrees consume and vanish away by a secret curse of God, till they come to nothing; and all their power and glory, and so their persecutions, eternally cease, and they be finally and irrecoverably ruined: As the finest and most glorious apparel will in VOL. I.

B

time wear away, and be consumed by moths and rottenness We learn who those are that shall thus consume away, by the foregoing verse, viz. those that are the enemies of God's people: Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.

2. The contrary happy lot and portion of God's church, ex pressed in these words, Myrighteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation. Whoare meant as those that shall have the benefit of this, we also learn by the preced. ing verse, viz. They that know righteousness, and the people in whose heart is God's law; or, in one word, the church of God. And concerning this happiness of theirs here spoken of, we may observe two things, viz. 1. Wherein it consists; 2. Its

continuance.

(1) Wherein it consists, viz. In God's righteousness and salvation toward them. By God's righteousness here, is meant his faithfulness in fulfilling his covenant promises to his church, or his faithfulness towards his church and peoples in bestowing the benefits of the covenant of grace upon them; which benefits, though they are bestowed of free and sovereign grace, as being altogether undeserved; yet as God has been pleased, by the promises of the covenant of grace, to bind himself to bestow them, so they are stowed in the exercise of God's righteousness or justice. And therefore the apostle says, Heb. vi. 10. God is not unright cous, to forget your work and labor of love. And so I John 19 If we confess our sins, he is faithful, and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So the word righteousness is very often used in scripture for God's cove nant faithfulness; so it is used in Nehem. ix. 8. Thou hast performed thy words, for thou art righteous. So we are often en to understand righteousness and covenant mercy for the same thing; as Psal. xxiv. 5. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Psal. xxxvi. 10. Continue thy loving kindness to them that know thec sal. li. 14. and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. And Psal. Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvar

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