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The Works of Jonathan Edwards, A.M.: With an Essay on His Genius and Writings

This book is a compilation of the works of Jonathan Edwards, an American theologian and philosopher. It includes his sermons, theological treatises, and philosophical essays, along with an essay that explores his intellectual and spiritual genius. more

Author

Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards, born on October 5, 1703, and died on March 22, 1758, was a prominent American preacher. He is known for his profound theological thoughts and unique preaching style, which had a profound impact on the religious reform in North America. more

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“It is by discourse that men associate, and words are imposed according to the apprehension of the vulgar. And therefore the ill and unfit choice of words wonderfully obsesses the understanding. Nor do the definitions or explanations wherewith in some things learned men are wont to guard and defend themselves, by any means set the matter right. But words plainly force and overrule the understanding, and throw all into confusion, and lead men away into innumerable and inane controversies and fancies.”

“But the idols of the Market Place are the most troublesome of all: idols which have crept into the understanding through their alliances with words and names. For men believe that their reason governs words. But words turn and twist the understanding. This it is that has rendered philosophy and the sciences inactive. Words are mostly cut to the common fashion and draw the distinctions which are most obvious to the common understanding. Whenever an understanding of greater acuteness or more diligent observation would alter those lines to suit the true distinctions of nature, words complain.”

“How poor, how rich, how abject, how august, how complicate, how wonderful is man! Distinguished link in being's endless chain! Midway from nothing to the Deity! Dim miniature of greatness absolute! An heir of glory! A frail child of dust! Helpless immortal! Insect infinite! A worm! A God!”