When we hear the name of Jonathan Edwards it is often synonymous with us thinking of revival and the Great Awakening. Of one of the most brilliant minds that American ever had. Of someone who had such joy in God in all circumstances, that centuries after his death, his example still shines forth as a figure of what we should all try to aim at. And to ENJOY God as the chief the first the only real good. We know that he had the true Spirit of God resting upon him, and yet, his ministry which is one of still high regard ended acrimoniously. Why? Because Edwards exalted the Truth of the Lord above keeping people happy. He wasn’t a man-pleaser at the cost of God’s Truth!

But the thing that got Edwards ousted from his ministry in Northampton, was the Communion service and terms of communion. His grandfather, Solomon Stoddard, had included in the terms of communion, the unregenerate, which is clearly against Scriptural teachings, though Stoddard was a great preacher in his own right despite this error. But as Edwards became more and more uneasy about this practice at his ministry, he could not ignore his conscience by going against it and continuing the practice. But by speaking out, he caused great and grievous offence to many members of his congregation. As they were no longer entitled to church membership, as they had not made a profession of personal faith in Christ, even though they lived upright, moral lives. He also had an incident just prior to this, where he became the butt of jokes of the youth of the town, for not taking lightly their unseemly and ungodly behaviour when and conversation when getting hold of a book that was dealing with midwifery. There crimes or sins were probably very mild and tame as compared to much of the youth of today. But it was still unbecoming Christian behaviour and Edwards took this up and took folks to task. He did however make some error in calling all the names out he wanted to take part in the enquiry during one LD service at his church by not distinguishing that not all the name he called were the perpetrators of the offence, but merely called as witnesses etc. And that had also caused offence at those called as witnesses feeling their reputations and standing in the community was being tainted. But even given that Edwards could have maybe handled that bit differently, was pride a justifiable reason to get a godly minister, one who was used by the Lord in a way of second to none during that time, for being ousted and rather than being held in esteem by the congregation he had faithfully served for 23 years, now held in contempt by many?

If Edwards had have wanted to keep his congregation happy, as the cost of The word of God , and so carried on the terms of communion in the manner that his grand-father had, his reputation may very well have stayed intact, and he may well have continued as minister of Northampton for the remainder of his days. Yet in the quote below, though there are no accusations, I think you can sense the weariness Edwards felt at dealing with such stiff-necked, contention people over so long a time period. And he was a little like Jeremiah, who also served 23 years, in that he laboured, yet the people never harkened.

Edwards is one of a minority that comes to mind, that has grown greater in reputation in death, than he was in life. As it often and in fact usually seems to work the other way around. As referenced in the first part of the series I’m currently running, Puritanism Today. But it still amounted, whether in life or posthumously, of calling evil good, and good evil. It’s a sin that seems to go through the annals of Christian history, and continues on to this day. Quotes by Richard Baxter on “Evil speaking” come to my mind. The below is from Edwards Farewell sermon to his congregation at Northampton, after the events above which led to his being forced out of his ministry.

It was three and twenty years, the 15th day of last February, since I have laboured in the work of the ministry in the relation of a pastor to this church and congregation…I have spent the prime of my life and strength in labours for your eternal welfare. You are my witnesses that what strength I have had, I have not neglected in idleness, nor laid out in prosecuting worldly schemes, and managing temporal affairs, for the advancement of my outward estate and aggrandizing myself and my family; but have given myself to the work of the ministry, labouring in it night and day, rising early and applying myself to this great business to which Christ has appointed me…

How exceedingly beautiful and how conducive to the adorning and happiness of the , town if the young people could be persuaded, when they meet together, to converse as Christians and as the children of God. This is what I have longed for: and it has been exceeding grievous to me, when I have heard of vice, vanity and disorder among our youth. And so far as I know my heart, it was from hence that I formerly led this church to some measures for the surprising of vice among our young people, which gave such great offence and by which I became so obnoxious…

A contentious people will be a miserable people The contentions which have been among you, since I first became your pastor, have been one of the greatest burdens I have laboured under in the course of my ministry–not only the contentions you have had with me, but those which you have h ad with one another, about your lands and other concerns, because I knew that contention, heat of spirit, evil speaking and things of the like nature were directly contrary to the spirit of Christianity and did in a peculiar manner tend to drive away God’s Spirit from a people..

Let the late contention about the terms of Christian communion, as it has been the greatest, be the last, I would, now I am preaching my farewell sermon say to you as the Apostle to the Corinthians, 2 Cor 13:11: “Finally brethren, farewell. Be perfect. BE of one mind; live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”

May God bless you with a faithful pastor, one that is well-acquainted with his mind and will, thoroughly warning sinners, wisely and skilfully, searching professors, conducting you in the way of eternal blessedness..

And let me be remembered in the prayers of all God’s people that are of a calm spirit, and peaceable and faithful in Israel, of whatever opinion they may be of with respect to terms of Church communion. And let us all remember, and never forget our future solemn meeting on that great day of the Lord; the day of infallible decision and of the everlasting and unalterable sentence. Amen.

This site maybe off line awhile as I need to fix the links as things like catgagories are not working!