Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards (October 5, 1703 – March 22, 1758) was a Christian preacher, philosopher, and theologian. Edwards "is widely acknowledged to be America's most important and original philosophical theologian," and one of America's greatest intellectuals. (Wikipedia) He was one of the leaders during the First Great Awakening and saw some of the first tent revivals in America.
Those the words were written almost three hundred years ago (and contain some rather archaic language!), they still challenge us today…
Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humble entreat Him, by His grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ's sake. [I will] remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
- Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.
- Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.
- Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
- Resolved, Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.
- Resolved, Never to do anything out of revenge.
- Resolved, Never to speak evil of any one, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
- Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
- Resolved, Never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession which I cannot hope God will accept.
- Resolved, To ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month, and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better.
- Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
- Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them; what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.
- Resolved, Always to do that which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak.
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