|
The Life and Character of the
Late Reverend Mr. Jonathan Edwards
By Samuel Hopkins
THE PREFACE
President Edwards, in the esteem of all the judicious, who were well
acquainted with him, either personally, or by his writings, was one of
the greatest — best — and most useful of men, that have lived in this
age.
He discovered himself to be one of the greatest of divines, by his
conversation, preaching and writings: One of remarkable strength of
mind, clearness of thought, and depth of penetration, who well
understood, and was able, above most others, to vindicate the great
doctrines of Christianity.
And no one perhaps has been in our day, more universally esteemed and
acknowledged to be a bright Christian, an eminently good man. His love
to God and man; his zeal for God and his cause; his uprightness,
humility, self-denial, and weanedness from the world; his close walk
with God; his conscientious, constant and universal obedience, in all
exact and holy ways of living: In one word, the goodness, the holiness
of his heart, has been as evident and conspicuous, as the uncommon
greatness and strength of his understanding.
And that this distinguished light has not shone in vain, there are a
cloud of witnesses. God, who gave him his great talents, led him into a
way of improving them, both by preaching and writing, which has
doubtless proved the means of converting many from the error of their
ways; and of greatly promoting the interest of Christ’s church, both in
America and Europe. And there is reason to hope, that though he is now
dead, he will yet speak for a great while yet to come, to the great
comfort and advantage of the church of Christ; that his publications
will produce a yet greater harvest, as an addition to his joy and crown
of rejoicing in the day of the Lord.
But the design of the following memoirs, is not merely to publish these
things, and tell the world how eminently great, wise, holy and useful
President Edwards was; but rather to inform in what way, and by what
means he attained to such an uncommon stock of knowledge and holiness;
and how, in the improvement of this, he did so much good to mankind;
that others may hereby be directed and excited to go and do likewise.
The reader is therefore not to expect a mere encomium on the dead, but a
faithful and plain narration of matters of fact, together with his own
internal exercises, expressed in his own words; and is desired not to
look on the following composure so much an act of friendship to the
dead, as of kindness to the living; it being only an attempt to render a
life that has been greatly useful, yet more so. And as this is designed
for the reader’s good, he is desired to remember, that if he gets no
benefit hereby; is not made wiser nor better, gains no skill or
disposition to live a holy and useful life, all is in vain as to him.
In this world, so full of darkness and delusion, it is of great
importance that all should be able to distinguish between true religion
and that which is false. In this, perhaps none has taken more pains, or
labored more successfully, than he whose life is set before the reader.
And it is presumed that his religious resolutions, exercises and conduct
here exhibited, will serve well to exemplify and illustrate all that he
has wrote on this subject. Here pure and undefiled religion, in
distinction from all counterfeits, appears in life and practice,
exhibiting a picture which will tend to instruct, strengthen and comfort
all those, who in their religious sentiments and exercises, are built on
the foundation of the apostles and prophets, of which Jesus Christ is
the chief cornerstone; while their hearts and practice in some measure
answer to it, as in water, face answereth to face. And here, they who
have hitherto unhappily been in darkness and delusion, in this
infinitely important affair, may have matter of instruction and
conviction.
This is a point about which, above many other, the Protestant world is
in the dark, and needs instruction, as Mr. Edwards was more and more
convinced, the longer he lived; and which he was wont frequently to
observe in conversation. If therefore these his remains are adapted to
answer this end, and may be considered as a word behind all to whom they
shall come, “saying, THIS IS THE WAY, walk ye in it,” and shall in this
view, be blessed to many, it will be a relief under one of the greatest
calamities that attend the Christian world, and promote that important
end, so worthy the attention and pursuit of all; and in which he from
whom this mantle falls, was zealously engaged, and which he pursued to
the end of his life.
In this view especially, is the following life offered to the public,
with an earnest desire that every reader may faithfully improve it to
this purpose; while he candidly overlooks any improprieties and defects
which he may observe to be chargeable on the compiler; who is he knows,
in a great degree unequal to what is here attempted.
August 20, 1764
|
