To THE EDINBURGH EDITIow.
* —so- • Q.

THEr who have a relish for the study of the scriptures, and have access to peruse the following sheets, will, I am persuaded, deem themselves much indebted to the Reverend Mr. EDw ARD's of Nowhaven for consenting to publish them. Though the acute philosopher and deep divine appears in them, yet they are in the general better calculated for the instruction and improvement of ordinary Christians, than those of President EDw ARDs’s writings, where the abstruse nature of the subject, or the subtle objections of opposers of the truth, led him to more abstract and metaphysical reasonings. The manuscript being entrusted to my care, I have not presumed to make any change in the sentiments or composition. I have, however, taken the liberty to reduce it from the form of sermons, which it originally bore, to that of a continued treatise ; and I have so altered and diversified the marks of the several divisions and subdivisions, that each class of heads might be easily distinguished.

I T has long been desired by the friends of Mr. Edwards that a number of his manuscripts should be published ; but the disadvantage under which all posthumous publications must necessarily appear, and the difficulty of getting any considerable work printed in this infant country hitherto, have proved sufficient obstacles to the execution of such a proposal. The first of these obstacles made me doubt, for a considerable time after these manuscripts came into my hands, whether I could, consistently with that regard which I owe to the honor of so worthy a parent, suffer any of them to appear in the world. However, being diffident of my own sentiments, and doubtful whether I were not over jealous in this matter, I determined, to submit to the opinion of gentlemen, who are friends both. to the character of Mr. EDwARDs and to the cause of truth. The consequence was, that they gave their advice for publishing them. . . . - f - * . . The other obstacle was removed by a gentleman in the church of Scotland, who was formally a correspondent of Mr. EDwARDs. He engaged a bookseller to undertake the work, * and also signified his desire, that these following discourses in particular might be made public. Mr. EDw ARDs had planned a body of divinity, in a new method, and in the form of a history; in which he was first to show, how the most remarkable events, in all ages from the fall to the present times, recorded in sacred and profane history, were adapted to promote the work of redemption; and then to trace, by the light of scripture prophecy, how the same work should be yet further carried on even to the end of the world. His heart was so much set on executing this plan, that he was considerably averse to accept the presidentship of Princeton college, lest the duties of that office should put it put of his power. : |

The outlines of that work are now offered to the public,
as contained in a series of sermons, preached at Northampton
in 1739,” withbut 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. f * -4

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 alf
who shall peruse it is the hearty desire and prayer of

The reader’s most humble servant,

JONATHAN EDWARDS.
JWewhaven; Feb. 25, 1773.

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

C O N T J N T S.
- - - r -
- t rael-

GENERAL INTRODUCTION, - - - - - - - - - - - - 9

- PERIOD I. . .

From the fall to the incarnation of Christ, - - - - - - - - - , 24

PART I.

From the fall to the flood, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 25

- - ... • - Y

- PART II. • *

From the flood to the calling of Abraham, - - - - - - - - - - 4+.

- PART III. - : -

from the calling of Abraham to Moses, - - - - - - - - - - 54 .

- PART IV.

From Moses to David, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 69

PART v. r

From David to the Babylonish captivity, - - - - - - - - - 96

x- - PART VI. •

From the Babylonish captivity to the coming of Christ, - - - - - 13t

+ IMPROVEMENT. *

Inspiration, and usefulness of the books of the Old Testament, - - 168

PERIOD II. & 4.

The time of Christ's humiliation, -, - - - - - - - - - - 182

; PART I.

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

redemption, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18s

of the purchase itself, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 192

Sect. i. What is intended by Christ's purchasing redemption, - - ibid.

Sect. 2. Observations concerning this purchase, - - - - - - 191

Szct. 3. Sufferings by which Christ purchased redemption, - - - 194

| IMPROVEMENT. "

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

tion, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 217

SEct. 2. Encouragement too trust in Christ, for salvation, - - - - 227

w PERIOD III.

From Christ's resurrection to the end of the world, - - - - - - - 229

INTRODUCTION.

General observations concerning this period, - - - - - - - - 231

- PART I.

Things whereby Christ was put into a capacity for accomplishing the

ends of his purchase, - ".- - - * y * * * * p *g - 241

viii . . . . C.O. No. N.T. S. . . . . . .

. . . * : PART II. PA Goe How Christ accomplished this success, - - - - - - - - - 245 . Sect. 1. How this success’ī; accomplished by God’s grace here, - 246 § 1. The means of this success established after Christ's resurrection, - ibid. § 2. The success itself, '- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 253 FIR st. In the suffering state of the Church, - - - - - - - ibid. I. From Christ's resurrection till the destruction of Jerusalem, - - 256

II. From the destruction of Jerusalem to that of the Heathen empire, - 266

IN FERENCE. Truth of Christianity argued from the success of the gospel, 277 III. Success from the timé 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, - - - - - 285 3dly. From the reformation till the present time, - - - - - - - 295 i. Of the reformation itself: - - - - - - - - - - - - ibid. 2. Of the opposition made to the Reformation, - - - - - - - 298 3. What success the gospel has lately had, - - - - - - - - , 306

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

. APPLICATION. s 1. Truth of Christianity argued from the events of this period, - - - 315 2. The spirit of true Christians a spirit of suffering, - - - - 2- 326 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

- - - - - - - - - , , 328

Secon DLY, Success of redemption through that space wherein the christian church shall for the most part enjoy prosperity, - - - - - , 346

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 SEcT. II. The success of redemption in glory, - - - - - - - - 358

General remarks on this successy - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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, - - - - - - 375

II. God the Alpha and Omega, of all things, - - - - - - - - 378 III. Christ in all things has the preeminence, - - - - - - - -381 IV. The consistency, order, and beauty of providence, - - - - ibid. V. The scriptures the word of God, - - - - - - - - - - - 383 VI. The majesty and power of God in the work of redemption, - -, 385 VII. The glorious wisdom of God in the work of redemption, - ' - 387 VIII. The stability of God's faithfulness to his people, - - - - - - 388 IX. How happy a society the church of Christ is, - - - - - - - 389.

X. The misery of those that are not interested in Christ, - - - - - 396 THE NATURE OF VIRTUE. .

Caar. I. The essence of virtue, - - - - - - - - - - - 395

II. What true Virtue respects, - - - - - - - - - 404

III. Secondary kind of beauty, - - - - - - - - 413