Saturday, Dec. 29. About sunset this day, dull and lifeless.
1722-23, Tuesday, Jan. 1. Have been dull for several days. Examined
whether I have not been guilty of negligence to-day; and resolved, No.
Wednesday, Jan. 2. Dull. I find, by experience, that, let me make
resolutions, and do what I will, with never so many inventions, it is all
nothing, and to no purpose at all, without the motions of the Spirit of God;
for if the Spirit of God should be as much withdrawn from me always, as
for the week past, notwithstanding all I do, I should not grow, but should
languish, and miserably fade away. I perceive, if God should withdraw his
Spirit a little more, I should not hesitate to break my resolutions, and
should soon arrive at my old state. There is no dependence on myself. Our
resolutions may be at the highest one day, and yet, the next day, we may be
in a miserable dead condition, not at all like the same person who resolved.
So that it is to no purpose to resolve, except we depend on the grace of
God. For, if it were not for his mere grace, one might be a very good man
one day, and a very wicked one the next. I find also by experience, that
there is no guessing out the ends of Providence, in particular dispensations
towards me — any otherwise than as afflictions come as corrections for
sin, and God intends when we meet with them, to desire us to look back on
our ways, and see wherein we have done amiss, and lament that particular
sin, and all our sins, before him: — knowing this, also, that all things shall
work together for our good; not knowing in what way, indeed, but trusting
in God.
Saturday evening, Jan. 5. A little redeemed from a long dreadful dulness,
about reading the Scriptures. This week, have been unhappily low in the
weekly account: — and what are the reasons of it?— abundance of
listlessness and sloth; and if this should continue much longer, I perceive
that other sins will begin to discover themselves. It used to appear to me,
that I had not much sin remaining; but now, I perceive that there are great
remainders of sin. Where may it not bring me to, if God should leave me?
Sin is not enough mortified. Without the influences of the Spirit of God,
the old serpent would begin to rouse up himself from his frozen state, and
would come to life again. Resolved, that I have been negligent in two
things: — in not striving enough in duty; and in not forcing myself upon
religious thoughts.
Sabbath, Jan. 6. At night. Much concerned about the improvement of
precious time. Intend to live in continual mortification, without ceasing,
and even to weary myself thereby as long as I am in this world, and never
to expect or desire any worldly ease or pleasure.
Monday, Jan. 7. At night, made the 40th Resolution.
Tuesday, Jan. 8. In the morning, had higher thoughts than usual of the
excellency of Christ, and felt an unusual repentance of sin therefrom.
Wednesday, Jan. 9. At night. Decayed. I am sometimes apt to think, that I
have a great deal more of holiness than I really have. I find now and then
that abominable corruption, which is directly contrary to what I read of
eminent Christians. I do not seem to be half so careful to improve time, to
do every thing quick, and in as short a time as I possibly can, nor to be
perpetually engaged to think about religion, as I was yesterday and the day
before, nor indeed as I have been at certain times, perhaps a twelvemonth
ago. If my resolutions of that nature, from that time, had always been kept
alive and awake, how much better might I have been than I now am! How
deceitful is my heart! I take up a strong resolution, but how soon doth it
weaken!
Thursday, Jan. 10. About noon. Recovering. It is a great dishonour to
Christ, in whom I hope I have an interest, to be uneasy at my worldly state
and condition; or when I see the prosperity of others, and that all things go
easy with them, the world is smooth to them, and they are very happy in
many respects, and very prosperous, or are advanced to much honour; to
grudge them their prosperity, or envy them on account of it, or to be in the
least uneasy at it, to wish and long for the same prosperity, and to desire
that is should ever be so with me. Wherefore, concluded always to rejoice
in every one’s prosperity, and not to pretend to expect or desire it for
myself; and to expect no happiness of that nature, as long as I live; but to
depend on afflictions, and to betake myself entirely to another happiness.
— I think I find myself much more sprightly and healthy, both in body and
mind, for my self-denial in eating, drinking, and sleeping. I think it would
be advantageous, every morning to consider my business and temptations,
and the sins to which I shall be exposed on that day, and to make a
resolution how to improve the day, and avoid those sins; and so at the
beginning of every week, month, and year. I never knew before what was
meant, by not setting our hearts on those things. It is, not to care about
them, nor to depend upon them, nor to afflict ourselves with the fear of
losing them, nor to please ourselves with the expectation of obtaining
them, or with the hopes of their continuance. — At night. Made the 41st
Resolution.
Saturday, Jan. 12. In the morning. I have, this day, solemnly renewed my
baptismal covenant and self-dedication, which I renewed when I was taken
into the communion of the church. I have been before God, and have given
myself, all that I am and have, to God; so that I am not, in any respect, my
own. I can challenge no right in this understanding, this will, these
affections, which are in me. Neither have I any right to this body, or any of
its members — no right to this tongue, these hands, these feet; no right to
these senses, these eyes, these ears, this smell, or this taste. I have given
myself clear away, and have not retained any thing as my own. I gave
myself to God in my baptism, and I have been this morning to him, and told
him, that I gave myself wholly to him. I have given every power to him; so
that, for the future, I’ll challenge no right in myself, in no respect whatever.
I have expressly promised him, and I do now promise Almighty God, that
by his grace I will not. I have this morning told him that I did take him for
my whole portion and felicity, looking on nothing else as any part of my
happiness, nor acting as if it were; and his law, for the constant rule of my
obedience; and would fight with all my might against the world, the flesh,
and the devil, to the end of my life; and that I did believe in Jesus Christ,
and did receive him as a Prince and Saviour; and that I would adhere to the
faith and obedience of the gospel, however hazardous and difficult the
confession and practice of it may be; and that I did receive the blessed
Spirit as my Teacher, Sanctifier, and only Comforter, and cherish all his
motions to enlighten, purify, confirm, comfort, and assist me. This, I have
done; and I pray God, for the sake of Christ, to look upon it as a selfdedication,
and to receive me now as entirely his own, and to deal with me,
in all respects, as such, whether he afflicts me or prospers me, or whatever
he pleases to do with me, who am his. Now, henceforth, I am not to act, in
any respect, as my own. — I shall act as my own, if I ever make use of any
of my powers to any thing that is not to the glory of God, and do not make
the glorifying of him my whole and entire business: — if I murmur in the
least at affliction; if I grieve at the prosperity of others; if I am in any way
uncharitable; if I am angry because of injuries; if I revenge them; if I do any
thing purely to please myself, or if I avoid any thing for the sake of my own
ease; if I omit any thing because it is great self-denial; if I trust to myself; if
I take any of the praise of the good that I do, or that God doth by me; or if
I am in any way proud. This day, made the 42nd and 43rd Resolutions. —
Whether or no, any other end ought to have any influence at all on any of
my actions; or whether any action ought to be any otherwise, in any
respect, than it would be, if nothing else but religion had the least influence
on my mind. Wherefore I make the 44th Resolution.
Query:Whether any delight or satisfaction ought to be allowed,
because any other end is obtained beside a religious one. — In the
afternoon. I answer, Yes, because, if we should never suffer
ourselves to rejoice, but because we have obtained a religious end,
we should never rejoice at the sight of friends, we should not allow
ourselves any pleasure in our food, whereby the animal spirits
would be withdrawn, and good digestion hindered. But the query is
to be answered thus: — We never ought to allow any joy or
sorrow, but what helps religion. Wherefore, I make the 45th
Resolution.
The reason why I so soon grow lifeless, and unfit for the business I am
about, I have found out, is only because I have been used to suffer myself
to leave off, for the sake of ease, and so I have acquired a habit of
expecting ease; and therefore, when I think I have exercised myself a great
while, I cannot keep myself to it any longer, because I expect to be
released, as my due and right. And then I am deceived, as if I were really
tired and weary, whereas, if I did not expect ease, and was resolved to
occupy myself by business as much as I could, I should continue with the
same vigour at my business, without vacation time to rest. Thus I have
found it in reading the Scriptures; and thus I have found it in prayer; and
thus I believe it to be in getting sermons by heart, and in other things.
At night. This week, the weekly account rose higher than ordinary. It is
suggested to me, that too constant a mortification, and too vigorous
application to religion, may be prejudicial to health; but nevertheless, I will
plainly feel it and experience it, before I cease on this account. It is no
matter how much tired and weary I am, if my health is not impaired.
Sabbath day, Jan. 13. I plainly feel, that if I should continue to go on, as
from the beginning of the last week hitherto, I should continually grow and
increase in grace. After the afternoon meeting, made an addition to the
45th Resolution. —At noon. I remember I thought that I loved to be a
member of Christ, and not any thing distinct, but only a part, so as to have
no separate interest or pleasure of my own. —At night. Resolved to
endeavour fully to understand 1Co. 7:29-32. and to act according to it.
Monday, Jan. 14. About 10 o’clock in the morning made this book, and
put these papers in it.f9 The dedication, which I made of myself to God on
Saturday last, has been exceedingly useful to me. I thought I had a more
spiritual insight into the Scriptures, when reading the 8th of Romans, than
ever before. — At night. Great instances of mortification are deep wounds
given to the body of sin; hard blows, which make him stagger and reel. We
thereby get strong ground and footing against him, he is the weaker ever
after, and we have easier work with him the next time. He grows cowardly;
and we can easily cause him to give way, until at length we find it easy
work with him, and can kill him at pleasure. While we live without great
instances of mortification and self-denial, the old man keeps about where
he was; for he is sturdy and obstinate, and will not stir for small blows.
This, without doubt, is one great reason why many Christians do not
sensibly increase in grace. After the greatest mortifications, I always find
the greatest comfort. Wrote the 63rd Resolution. Such little things as
Christians commonly do, will not evince much increase of grace. We must
do great things for God. — It will be best, when I find that I have lost any
former ancient good motions or actions, to take notice of it, if I can
remember them.
Tuesday, Jan. 15. About two or three o’clock. I have been all this time
decaying. It seemed yesterday, the day before, and Saturday, that I should
always retain the same resolutions to the same height. But alas! how soon
do I decay! O how weak, how infirm, how unable to do any thing of
myself! What a poor inconsistent being! What a miserable wretch, without
the assistance of the Spirit of God! While I stand, I am ready to think that I
stand by my own strength, and upon my own legs; and I am ready to
triumph over my spiritual enemies, as if it were I myself that caused them
to flee: — when alas! I am but a poor infant, upheld by Jesus Christ; who
holds me up, and gives me liberty to smile to see my enemies flee, when he
drives them before me. And so I laugh, as though I myself did it, when it is
only Jesus Christ leads me along, and fights himself against my enemies.
And now the Lord has a little left me, how weak do I find myself! O let it
teach me to depend less on myself, to be more humble, and to give more of
the praise of my ability to Jesus Christ! The heart of man is deceitful above
all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?— The occasion of
my decaying, is a little melancholy. My spirits are depressed, because I fear
that I lost some friendship the last night; and, my spirits being depressed,
my resolutions have lost their strength. I differ to-day from yesterday in
these things: I do not resolve anything to-day half so strongly. I am not so
perpetually thinking of renewing my resolutions as I was then. I am not half
so vigorous as I was then; nor am I half so careful to do every thing with
vigour. Then, I kept continually acting; but now, I do things slowly, and
satisfy myself by thinking of religion in the mean time. I am not so careful
to go from one business to another. — I felt humiliation about sun-set.
What shall I do, in order that I may, with a good grace, fall into christian
discourse and conversation?—At night. The next time I am in such a
lifeless frame, I will force myself to go rapidly from one thing to another,
and to do those things with vigour, in which vigour would ever be useful.
The things which take off my mind, when bent on religion, are commonly
some remarkable change or alteration— journeys, change of place, change
of business, change of studies, and change of other circumstances; or
something that makes me melancholy; or some sin.
Thursday, Jan. 17. About three o’clock, overwhelmed with melancholy.
Friday, Jan. 18. At night. Beginning to endeavour to recover out of the
death I have been in for these several days.
Sabbath day, Jan. 20. At night. The last week I was sunk so low, that I
fear it will be a long time before I am recovered. I fell exceedingly low in
the weekly account. I find my heart so deceitful, that I am almost
discouraged from making any more resolutions. — Wherein have I been
negligent in the week past; and how could I have done better, to help the
dreadful low estate in which I am sunk?
Monday, Jan. 21 Before sunrise, answered the preceding questions thus: I
ought to have spent my time in bewailing my sins, and in singing psalms —
especially psalms or hymns of penitence; these duties being most suited to
the frame I was in. I do not spend time enough in endeavouring to affect
myself with the glories of Christianity. — Fell short in the monthly
account. It seems to me, that I am fallen from my former sense of the
pleasantness of religion.
Tuesday, Feb. 5. At night. I have thought that this being so exceedingly
careful, and so particularly anxious, to force myself to think of religion at
all times, has exceedingly distracted my mind, and made me altogether unfit
for that and every thing else. I have thought that this caused the dreadful
low condition I was in on the 15th of January. I think that I stretched
myself further than I could bear, and so broke. — But now it seems to me,
though I know not why, that I do not do enough to prepare for another
world. I do not seem to press forward, to fight and wrestle, as the apostles
used to speak. I do not seem so greatly and constantly to mortify and deny
myself, as the mortification of which they speak represents. Therefore,
wherein ought I to do more in this way?— I answer: I am again grown too
careless about eating, drinking, and sleeping — not careful enough about
evil-speaking.
Saturday, Feb. 16. I do certainly know that I love holiness, such as the
gospel prescribes. —At night. For the time past of my life, I have been
negligent, in that I have not sufficiently kept up that part of divine worship.
singing the praise of God in secret and with company. — I have been
negligent this month past, in these three things: I have not been watchful
enough over my appetites, in eating and drinking; in rising too late in the
morning; and in not applying myself with sufficient application to the duty
of secret prayer.
Sabbath day, Feb. 17. Near sunset. Renewedly promised, that I will
accept of God for my whole portion, and that I will be contented, whatever
else I am denied. I will not murmur, nor be grieved, whatever prosperity
upon any account I see others enjoy and I am denied. To this I have lately
acted contrary.
Thursday, Feb. 21. I perceive that I never yet have adequately known
what was meant by being weaned from the world, by not laying up treasure
on earth, but in heaven, by not having our portion in this life, by making
the concerns of another life our whole business, by taking God for our
whole portion. I find my heart in great part yet adheres to the earth. O that
it might be quite separated from thence. I find when I have power and
reputation as others, I am uneasy, and it does not satisfy me to tell me, that
I have chosen God for my whole portion, and that I have promised to rest
entirely contented with him.
Saturday, Feb. 23. I find myself miserably negligent, and that I might do
twice the business that I do, if I were set upon it. See how soon my
thoughts of this matter will be differing from what they are now. I have
been indulging a horrid laziness a good while, and did not know it. I can do
seven times as much in the same time now, as I can at other times, not
because my faculties are in better tune; but because of the fire of diligence
that I feel burning within me. If I could but always continue so, I should
not meet with one quarter of the trouble. I should run the christian race
much better, and should go out of the world a much better man.
Saturday, March 2. O how much more base and vile am I, when I feel
pride working in me, than when I am in a more humble disposition of mind!
How much, how exceedingly much, more lovely is an humble than a proud
disposition! I now plainly perceive it, and am really sensible of it. How
immensely more pleasant is an humble delight, than a high thought of
myself! How much better do I feel, when I am truly humbling myself, than
when I am pleasing myself with my own perfections! O how much
pleasanter is humility than pride! O that God would fill me with exceeding
great humility, and that he would evermore keep me from all pride! The
pleasures of humility are really the most refined, inward, and exquisite
delights in the world. How hateful is a proud man! How hateful is a worm,
that lifts up itself with pride! What a foolish, silly, miserable, blind,
deceived poor worm am I, when pride works. — At night. I have lately
been negligent as to reading the Scriptures. Notwithstanding my
resolutions on Saturday was se’night, I have not been sedulous and diligent
enough.
Wednesday, March 6. Near sunset. Regarded the doctrines of election,
free grace, our inability to do any thing without the grace of God, and that
holiness is entirely, throughout, the work of the Spirit of God, with greater
pleasure than ever before.
Thursday, March 7. I think I now suffer from not forcing myself enough
on religious thoughts.
Saturday night, March 24. I intend, if I am ever settled, to concert
measures, and study methods, of doing good in the world, and to draw up
rules of acting in this matter, in writing, of all the methods I can possibly
devise, by which I can in any respect do good.
Saturday night, March 31. This week I have been too careless about
eating.
Monday morning, April 2. I think it best not to allow myself to laugh at
the faults, follies, and infirmities of others.
Saturday night, April 7. This week I found myself so far gone, that it
seemed to me I should never recover more. Let God of his mercy return
unto me, and no more leave me thus to sink and decay! I know, O Lord,
that without thy help I shall fall, innumerable times, not withstanding all my
resolutions, how often soever repeated.
Saturday night, April 14. I could pray more heartily this night for the
forgiveness of my enemies, than ever before. — I am somewhat apt, after
having asked one petition over many times, to be weary of it; but I am now
resolved not to give way to such a disposition.
Wednesday forenoon, May 1. Last night I came home, after my
melancholy parting from New York.
I have always in every different state of life I have hitherto been in, thought
that the troubles and difficulties of that state were greater than those of any
other state that I proposed to be in; and when I have altered, with
assurance of mending myself, I have still thought the same, yea that the
difficulties of that state are greater than those of that I left last. Lord, grant
that from hence I may learn to withdraw thoughts, affections, desires, and
expectations entirely from the world, and may fix them upon the heavenly
state, where there is fulness of joy; where reigns heavenly, sweet, calm, and
delightful love without alloy; where there are continually the dearest
expressions of this love; where there is the enjoyment of this love without
ever parting; and where those persons, who appear so lovely in this world,
will be inexpressibly more lovely, and full of love to us. How sweetly will
those, who thus mutually love, join together in singing the praises of God
and the Lamb. How full will it fill us with joy, to think that this enjoyment,
these sweet exercises, will never cease or come to an end, but will last to
all eternity. Remember after journeys, removals, overturnings, and
alterations in the state of my life, to reflect and consider, whether therein I
have managed the best way possible respecting my soul; and before such
alterations, if foreseen, to resolve how to act.
Thursday, May 2. Afternoon. I observe this, that when I was at New
York, when I meditated on things of a religious nature, I used to conceive
of myself as walking in the fields at home; but now I am at home, I
conceive of myself as walking in the fields which I used to frequent at New
York. I think it a very good way, to examine dreams every morning when I
awake; what are the nature, circumstance, principles, and ends of my
imaginary actions and passions in them; in order to discern what are my
prevailing inclinations, &c.
Saturday night, May 4. Although I have, in some measure, subdued a
disposition to chide and fret, yet I find a certain inclination, which is not
agreeable to christian sweetness of temper and conversation: either too
much dogmaticalness or too much egotism; a disposition to manifest my
own dislike and scorn, and my own freedom from those which are
innocent, sinless, yea common infirmities of men, and many other such like
things. O that God would help me to discover all the flaws and defects of
my temper and conversation, and help me in the difficult work of amending
them; and that he would grant me so full a measure of vital Christianity,
that the foundation of all those disagreeable irregularities may be
destroyed, and the contrary sweetnesses and beauties may of themselves
naturally follow.
Sabbath morning, May 5. Made the 47th Resolution.
Monday morning, May 6. I think it best commonly to come before God
three times in a day, except I find a great inaptitude to that duty.
Saturday night, May 11. I have been to blame, the month past, in not
laying violence enough to my inclination, to force myself to a better
improvement of time. Have been tardy with respect to the 47th Resolution.
Have also been negligent about keeping my thoughts, when joining with
others in prayer.
Sabbath-day morning, May 12. I have lost that relish of the Scriptures,
and other good books, which I had five or six months ago. Resolved, When
I find in myself the least disposition to exercise good nature, that I will then
strive most to feel good-naturedly. — At noon. Observe to remember the
meditations which I had at West Chester, as I was coming from New York;
and those which I had in the orchard; and those under the oak-tree. This
day, and the last night, I read over and reviewed those reflections and
remarks, which I find to be a very beneficial thing to me. —After the
afternoon meeting. I think I find in my heart to be glad from the hopes I
have, that my eternity is to be spent in spiritual and holy joys, arising from
the manifestation of God’s love, and the exercise of holiness, and burning
love to him.
Saturday night, May 18. This week past, spent in journeying to Norwich,
and the towns thereabouts. This day returned, and received a letter from
my dear friend, Mr. John Smith. — The last Wednesday, took up a
resolution to refrain from all manner of evil speaking, for one week to try
it, and see the effect of it: hoping, if that evil speaking, which I used to
allow myself in, and to account lawful, agreeably to the resolutions I have
formed concerning it, were not lawful, or best, I should hereby discover it,
and get the advantage of temptations to it, and so deceive myself into a
strict adherence to my duty, respecting that matter;— that that corruption,
which I cannot conquer by main strength, I may get the victory of by
stratagem. I find the effect of it already to be, to make me apt to take it for
granted, that what I have resolved on this week, is a duty to be observed
for ever.
I now plainly perceive, what great obligations I am under to love and
honour my parents. I have great reason to believe, that their counsel and
education have been my making: though, in the time of it, it seemed to do
me so little good. I have good reason to hope, that their prayers for me
have been, in many things, very powerful and prevalent, that God has, in
many things, taken me under his care and guidance, provision and
direction, in answer to their prayers for me. I was never made so sensible
of it as now.
I think it the best way, in general, not to seek for honour, in any other way,
than by seeking to be good and to do good. I may pursue knowledge,
religion, the glory of God, and the good of mankind with the utmost
vigour; but am to leave the honour of it entirely at God’s disposal, as a
thing with which I have no immediate concern; no, not although, by
possessing that honour, I have the greater opportunity to do good.
Mem. To be particularly careful, lest I should be tardy in any point
wherein I have been negligent, or have erred, in days, weeks, months,
or years past.
Sabbath-day morning, May 19. With respect to my journey last week, I
was not careful enough to watch opportunities of solemnly approaching to
God three times a day. The last week, when I was about to take up the
Wednesday Resolution, it was proposed to me, in my thought, to omit it
till I got home again, because there would be a more convenient
opportunity. Thus am I ready to look at any thing as an excuse, to grow
slack in my christian course. —At night. Concluded to add to my inquiries,
as to the spending of time. — At the beginning of the day, or the period,
What can I do for the good of men?— and at the end, What have I done
for their good?
Tuesday morning, May 21. My conscience is, undoubtedly, more calm,
since my last Wednesday Resolution, than it was before.
Wednesday morning, May 22. Memorandum. To take special care of the
following things: evil speaking, fretting, eating, drinking, and sleeping,
speaking simple verity, joining in prayer, slightiness in secret prayer,
listlessness and negligence, and thoughts that cherish sin.
Saturday morning, May 25. As I was this morning reading the 17th
Resolution, it was suggested to me, that if I were now to die, I should wish
that I had prayed more that God would make me know my state, whether
it be good or bad, and that I had taken more pains and care, to see and
narrowly search into that matter. Wherefore,Mem, for the future, most
nicely and diligently to look into the opinions of our old divines,
concerning conversion. This morning made the 48th Resolution.
Monday afternoon, May 27. Memorandum. Not only to keep from an air
of dislike, anger, and fretfulness, in discourse or conversation; but, let me
also have as much of an appearance of love, cheerfulness, and benignity, as
may be, with a good grace. These following things especially to beware of,
in order to the better observation of the 47th Resolution: distrust,
discontent, uneasiness and a complaining temper, self-opinion, selfconfidence,
melancholy, moroseness, slight antipathy, privacy, indolence,
and want of resolution— to beware of any thing in discourse or
conversation that savours of these.
Saturday night, June 8. At Boston.When I find myself listless and dull,
and not easily affected by reading religious books, then to read my
resolutions, remarks, reflections, &c. — One thing that would be of great
advantage to me, in reading to my profit, would be, the endeavouring, with
all my might, to keep the image and picture of the thing in my mind, and
be careful that I do not lose it in the chain of the discourse.
Sabbath day, June 9, after the afternoon meeting. Mem. When I fear
misfortune, to examine whether I have done my duty; and at the same time,
to resolve to do it, and let it go, and be concerned about nothing, but my
duty and my sin.
Saturdaymorning, June 15. At Windsor. Have been to blame, this
journey, with respect to strict temperance, in eating, drinking, and sleeping,
and in suffering too small matters to give interruption to my wonted chain
of religious exercises. — Concluded to protract the Wednesday Resolution
to the end of my life.
Tuesday morning, June 18. Mem. To do that part, which I conveniently
can, of my stated exercise, while about other business, such as selfexamination,
resolutions, &c. that I may do the remainder in less time.
Friday afternoon, June 21. I have abundant cause, O my merciful Father,
to love thee ardently, and greatly, to bless and praise thee, that thou hast
heard me, in my earnest request, and so hast answered my prayer, for
mercy, to keep me from decay and sinking. O, graciously of thy mere
goodness, still continue to pity my misery, by reason of my sinfulness. O,
my dear Redeemer, I commit myself, together with my prayer and
thanksgiving, into thine hand.
Saturday morning, June 22. Altered the 36th Resolution, to make it the
same with the Wednesday Resolution. If I should take special care, every
day, to rise above, or not to fall below, or to fall as little as I possibly could
below, what I was the day before, it would be of great advantage to me. —
I take notice that most of these determinations, when I first resolve them,
seem as if they would be much more beneficial than I find them.
Tuesday morning, June 25. Last sabbath, at Boston, reading the 6th, 7th,
and 8th verses of the 6th to the Ephesians, concluded that it would be
much to my advantage, to take the greatest care, never to do any thing but
my duty, and then to do it willingly, cheerfully, and gladly, whatever
danger or unpleasant circumstances it may be attended with; with goodwill
doing it, as to the Lord, not as pleasing man, or myself; knowing that
whatsoever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the
Lord.
Saturday morning, June 29. It is best to be careful in prayer, not to put
up those petitions, of which I do not feel a sincere desire: thereby my
prayer is rendered less sincere, less acceptable to God, and less useful to
myself.
Monday noon, July 1. I find I am not careful enough, to keep out all
thoughts but religious ones on the sabbath. When I find the least uneasiness
in doing my duty, to fly to the 43rd Resolution.
Wednesday night, July 3. I am too negligent, with respect to improving
petty opportunities of doing good; thinking, that the good will be very
small and unextended, and not worth the pains. Resolved, to regulate this,
as that which is wrong, and what ought not to be. — Again confirmed by
experience, of the happy effects of a strict temperance, with respect both to
body and mind.
Thursday morning, July 4. The last night, in bed, when thinking of death,
I thought if I was then to die, that which would make me die in the least
degree fearfully, would be the want of a trusting and relying on Jesus
Christ, so distinctly and plainly, as has been described by divines; my not
having experienced so particular a venturing, and entirely trusting my soul
on Christ, after the fears of hell, and terrors of the Lord, encouraged by the
mercy, faithfulness, and promises of God, and the gracious invitations of
Christ. Then I thought I could go out of the world, as much assured of my
salvation, as I was of Christ’s faithfulness, knowing that if Christ did not
fail me, he would save me who had trusted in him on his word. — At night.
Whenever things begin to seem to be in the least out of order, when things
begin to feel uneasy within, or irregular without, then to examine myself by
the strictest examination. —Resolved, for the future to observe rather
more of meekness, moderation, and temper in disputes.
Friday morning, July 5. Last night, when thinking what I should wish I
had done, that I had not done, if I was then to die; I thought I should wish,
that I had been more importunate with God to fit me for death, and lead
me into all truth, and that I might not be deceived about the state of my
soul. — In the forenoon made the 50th Resolution.
Thursday night, July 11. This day, too impatient at the church meeting.
Snares and briers have been in my way this afternoon. It is good at such
times for one to manifest good nature, even to one’s disadvantage, and so
as would be imprudent at other times.
Saturday morning, July 13. Transferred the conclusion of June 9, to the
Resolution, No. 57; and the conclusion of May 27, to No. 58; and May 12,
and July 11, to No. 59; and of July 4, at night, to No. 60; and of May 24,
to No. 61; and of June 25, to No. 62; and about noon, the Resolution of
January 14, to No. 63. — In times past, I have been too free in judging of
the hearts of men from their actions.
Thursday, July 18. Near sunset. Resolved, to make sure of that sign,
which the apostle James gives of a perfect man: Jam. 3: 2. “If any man
offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able, also, to bridle the
whole body.”
Friday afternoon, July 19. 1Pe. 2:18. “Servants, be subject to your
masters, with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the
froward:” how then ought children to honour their parents!— This verse,
together with the two following, viz. “For this is thankworthy, if a man for
conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory
is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if,
when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable
with God.”
Saturday noon, July 20. Dr. Manton’s Sermon, on the 119th Psalm. pp.
140, 141. Of Evil-speaking, Use 2d. To them that either devise or receive
reproaches. Both are very sinful. Hypocrites, and men that put themselves
into a garb of religion, are all for censuring, take a mighty freedom that
way: these men betray the rottenness of their hearts. — Alas, in our own
sight, we should be the worst of men. The children of God do ever thus
speak of themselves, as the least of saints, the greatest of sinners — “more
brutish than any man” — “of sinners, whereof I am the chief.” You rob
them of the most precious treasure. He that robs thee of thy name, is the
worst kind of thief. Pro. 22: 1. “A good name is rather to be chosen than
great riches.” — Object. But must we, in no case, speak evil of another; or
may we not speak of another’s sin in any case?— Solution 1. It is a very
hard matter to speak evil of another without sin. — In one way or another,
we shall dash upon the command: better let it alone. — If you speak of the
failings of another, it should be with tenderness and grief; as, when they are
incorrigible, and likely to infect others; or when it is for the manifest glory
of God. — To them that receive the slander, he is a slanderer, who wrongs
his neighbour’s credit, by upholding an ill report against him.
Monday afternoon, July 22. I find it would be desirable, on many
accounts, always to endeavour to wear a benign aspect and air of acting
and speaking, in all companies, except it should so happen, that duty
requires it otherwise. — I am afraid I am now defective, in not doing
whatever my hand finds to do, with my might, with respect to my
particular affairs. Remember to watch, see, and know how it is. Vid. Aug.
31. — I see there is danger, of my being drawn into transgression, by the
power of such temptations, as the fear of seeming uncivil, and of offending
friends. Watch against it. — I might still help myself, and yet not hurt
myself, by going with greater expedition from one thing to another,
without being quite so nice.
Tuesday afternoon, July 23. When I find those groanings which cannot
be uttered, of which the apostle speaks, and those soul-breakings for the
longing it hath, of which the psalmist speaks, (Psa. 119:20.) Resolved, to
favour and promote them, to the utmost of my power, and not to be weary
of earnestly endeavouring to vent my desires, and not to be weary of the
repetitions of such earnestness.
To count it all joy, when I have occasions of great self-denial; because,
then, I have a glorious opportunity of giving deadly wounds to the body of
sin, and of greatly confirming and establishing the new creature. I seek to
mortify sin, and increase in holiness. These are the best opportunities,
according to Jan. 14.
To improve afflictions, of all kinds, as blessed opportunities of forcibly
bearing on, in my christian course, notwithstanding that which is so very
apt to discourage me, and to damp the vigour of my mind, and to make me
lifeless; also, as opportunities of trusting and confiding in God, and getting
a habit of so doing, according to the 57th Resolution; and as an
opportunity of rending my heart off from the world, and setting it on
heaven alone, according to Jan. 10. and the 43d and 45th Resolutions; and
according to Jan. 12 Feb. 17 and 21. and May 1. — To improve them,
also, as opportunities to repent of and bewail my sin, and abhor myself; and
as a blessed opportunity to exercise patience, to trust in God, and divest
my mind from the affliction, by fixing myself in religious exercises. Also, let
me comfort myself, that it is the very nature of afflictions, to make the
heart better; and, if I am made better by them, what need I be concerned,
however grievous they seem for the present.
Wednesday night, July 24. I begin to find the success of my striving, in
joining with others, in the worship of God; insomuch that there is a
prospect of making it easy and delightful, and very profitable, in time.
Wherefore, Resolved not to cease striving, but to continue it, and redouble
it.
Thursday morning, July 25. Altered, and anew established, the 8th
Resolution; also established my determination of April 1. —Memorandum.
At a convenient time, to make an alphabet of these Resolutions and
Remarks, that I may be able to educe them on proper occasions, suitable to
the condition I am in, and the duty I am engaged in.
Friday afternoon, July 26. To be particularly careful, to keep up,
inviolably, a trust and reliance, ease and entire rest in God, in all
conditions, according to the 57th Resolution; for this I have found to be
wonderfully advantageous to me. —At night. Resolved, very much to
exercise myself in this, all my life long: viz. with the greatest openness, of
which I am capable, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to
him: — all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires,
and every thing and every circumstance, according to Dr. Manton’s 27th
Sermon, on the 119th Psalm.
Saturday forenoon, July 27. When I am violently beset with temptation,
or cannot rid myself of evil thoughts, to do something in arithmetic, or
geometry, or some other study, which necessarily engages all my thoughts,
and unavoidably keeps them from wandering.
Monday afternoon, July 29. When I am concerned how I shall prepare
any thing to public acceptance, to be very careful that I have it very clear
to me, to do what is duty and prudence in the matter. — I sometimes find
myself able to trust God, and to be pretty easy when the event is uncertain,
but I find it difficult when I am convinced beforehand, that the event will
be adverse. I find that this arises,
1. From my want of faith, to believe that that particular advantage will be more
to my advantage than disadvantage:
2. From the want of a due sense of the real preferableness of that good, which
will be obtained to that which is lost:
3. From the want of a spirit of adoption.
Tuesday night, July 30. Have concluded to endeavour to work myself into
duties by searching and tracing back all the real reasons why I do them not,
and narrowly searching out all the subtle subterfuges of my thoughts, and
answering them to the utmost of my power, that I may know what are the
very first originals of my defect, as with respect to want of repentance,
love to God, loathing of myself, — to do this sometimes in sermons. —
Vid. Resolution 8. Especially, to take occasion therefrom, to bewail those
sins of which I have been guilty, that are akin to them; as for instance, from
pride in others, to take occasion to bewail my pride; from their malice, to
take occasion to bewail my evil speaking: and so of other sins. Mem. To
receive slanders and reproaches, as glorious opportunities of doing this.
Wednesday afternoon, July 31. 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. — Never in the least to seek to hear sarcastical relations of
others’ faults. Never to give credit to any thing said against others, except
there is very plain reason for it; nor to behave in any respect otherwise for
it.
Sabbath morning, Aug. 4. Concluded at last, at those times when I am in
the best frames, to set down the aspirations of my heart, as soon as I can
get time.
Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 6. Very much convinced of the extraordinary
deceitfulness of the heart, and how exceedingly affection or appetite blinds
the mind, and brings it into entire subjection. There are many things which
I should really think to be my duty, if I had the same affections, as when I
first came from New York; which now I think not to be so. How doth
appetite stretch the reason, to bring both ends together.
Wednesday forenoon, Aug. 7. To esteem it as some advantage, that the
duties of religion are difficult, and that many difficulties are sometimes to
be gone through, in the way of duty. Religion is the sweeter, and what is
gained by labour is abundantly more precious, as a woman loves her child
the more for having brought it forth with travail; and even to Christ Jesus
himself his mediatorial glory, his victory and triumph, the kingdom which
he hath obtained, how much more glorious is it, how much more excellent
and precious, for his having wrought it out with such agonies.
Friday afternoon, Aug. 9. With respect to the important business which I
have now in handf10, Resolved, To do whatever I think to be duty,
prudence, and diligence in the matter, and to avoid ostentation; and if I
succeed not, and how many disappointments soever I meet with, to be
entirely easy; only to take occasion to acknowledge my unworthiness; and
if it should actually not succeed, and should not find acceptance, as I
expected, yet not to afflict myself about it, according to the 57th
Resolution. —At night. One thing that may be a good help towards
thinking profitably in times of vacation, is, when I find a profitable thought
that I can fix my mind on, to follow it as far as I possibly can to advantage.
— I missed it when a graduate at college, both in point of duty and
prudence, in going against a universal benevolence and good nature.
Saturdaymorning, Aug. 10. Transferred my determination of July 23, to
the 64th Resolution, and that of July 26, to the 65th. — About sunset. As a
help against that inward shameful hypocrisy, to confess frankly to myself
all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; also to confess to
God, and open the whole case to him, when it is what concerns religion,
and humbly and earnestly implore of him the help that is needed; not in the
least to endeavour to smother what is in my heart, but to bring it all out to
God and my conscience. By this means, I may arrive at a greater
knowledge of my own heart. — When I find difficulty in finding a subject
of religious meditation, in vacancies, to pitch at random on what alights to
my thoughts, and to go from that to other things which that shall bring into
my mind, and follow this progression as a clue, till I come to what I can
meditate on with profit and attention, and then to follow that, according to
last Thursday’s determination.
Sabbath afternoon, Aug. 11. Resolved always to do that, which I shall
wish I had done when I see others do it; as for instance, sometimes I argue
with myself, that such an act of good nature, kindness, forbearance, or
forgiveness, &c. is not my duty, because it will have such and such
consequences: yet when I see others do it, then it appears amiable to me,
and I wish I had done it, and see that none of these feared inconveniences
follow.
Monday morning, Aug. 12. The chief thing, that now makes me in any
measure to question my good estate, is my not having experienced
conversion in those particular steps, wherein the people of New England,
and anciently the dissenters of Old England, used to experience it.
Wherefore, now resolved, never to leave searching, till I have satisfyingly
found out the very bottom and foundation, the real reason, why they used
to be converted in those steps.
Tuesday morning, Aug. 13. Have sinned, in not being careful enough to
please my parents. — Afternoon. I find it would be very much to my
advantage, to be thoroughly acquainted with the Scriptures. When I am
reading doctrinal books, or books of controversy, I can proceed with
abundantly more confidence; can see on what footing and foundation I
stand.
Saturday noon, Aug. 17. Let there, in the general, be something of
benevolence in all that I speak.
Tuesday night, Aug. 20. Not careful enough in watching opportunities of
bringing in christian discourse with a good grace. Do not exercise myself
half enough in this holy art; neither have I courage enough to carry it on
with a good grace. Vid Sept. 2.
Saturdaymorning, Aug. 24. Have not practised quite right about revenge;
though I have not done any thing directly out of revenge, yet I have
perhaps omitted some things that I should otherwise have done; or have
altered the circumstances and manner of my actions, hoping for a secret
sort of revenge thereby. I have felt a little sort of satisfaction, when I
thought that such an evil would happen to them by my actions, as would
make them repent what they have done. To be satisfied for their repenting,
when they repent from a sense of their error, is right. But a satisfaction in
their repentance, because of the evil that is brought upon them, is revenge.
This is in some measure a taking the matter out of God’s hands when he
was about to manage it, who is better able to plead it for me. Well,
therefore, may he leave me to boggle at it. —Near sunset. I yet find a
want of dependence on God, to look unto him for success, and to have my
eyes unto him for his gracious disposal of the matter; for want of a sense of
God’s particular influence, in ordering and directing all affairs and
businesses, of whatever nature, however naturally, or fortuitously, they
may seem to succeed; and for want of a sense of those great advantages,
that would follow therefrom: not considering that God will grant success,
or make the contrary more to my advantage; or will make the advantage
accruing from the unsuccessfulness more sensible and apparent; or will
make it of less present and outward disadvantage; or will some way so
order the circumstances, as to make the unsuccessfulness more easy to
bear: or several, or all of these. This want of dependence, is likewise for
want of the things mentioned, July 29. — Remember to examine all
narrations I can call to mind; whether they are exactly according to verity.
Wednesday night, Aug. 28. When I want books to read; yea, when I have
not very good books, not to spend time in reading them, but in reading the
Scriptures, in perusing Resolutions, Reflections, &c. in writing on types of
the Scripture, and other things, in studying the languages, and in spending
more time in private duties. To do this, when there is a prospect of wanting
time for the purpose. Remember, as soon as I can to get a piece of slate, or
something, whereon I can make short memorandums while travelling.
Thursday, Aug. 29. Two great quærenda with me now are: How shall I
make advantage of all the time I spend in journeys? and how shall I make a
glorious improvement of afflictions?
Saturday night, Aug. 31. The objection which my corruptions make
against doing whatever my hands find to do with my might, is, that it is a
constant mortification. Let this objection by no means ever prevail.
Sabbath morning, Sept. 1. When I am violently beset with worldly
thoughts, for a relief, to think of death, and the doleful circumstances of it.
Monday afternoon, Sept. 2. To help me to enter with a good grace into
religious conversation; when I am conversing on morality, to turn it over
by application, exemplification, or otherwise, to Christianity. Vid. Aug. 28,
and Jan. 15. —At night. There is much folly, when I am quite sure I am in
the right, and others are positive in contradicting me, in entering into a
vehement or long debate upon it.
Saturday, Sept. 7. Concluded no more to suffer myself to be interrupted,
or diverted from important business, by those things from which I expect,
though some, yet but little, profit.
Sabbath morning, Sept. 8. I have been much to blame, for expressing so
much impatience for delays in journeys, and the like.
Sabbath evening, Sept. 22. To praise God by singing psalms in prose, and
by singing forth the meditations of my heart in prose.
Monday, Sept. 23. I observe that old men seldom have any advantage of
new discoveries, because they are beside the way of thinking to which they
have been so long used. Resolved, if ever I live to years, that I will be
impartial to hear the reasons of all pretended discoveries, and receive them
if rational, how long soever I have been used to another way of thinking.
My time is so short, that I have not time to perfect myself in all studies;
wherefore resolved, to omit and put off all but the most important and
needful studies.”
Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life, — was
the maxim of the wisest of men, and it was founded upon the most solid
reason. This maxim has ever been considered as most important by all the
possessors of true wisdom and piety who have strenuously aimed at daily
spiritual advancement. It has never been regarded without the greatest
advantages, nor neglected without the most extensive injury. The views
which were entertained of this lesson of spiritual wisdom by Jonathan
Edwards are sufficiently apparent in all the extracts now presented from his
Diary, and the advantages which he derived from its practice are equally
manifest. He lived in the sight of God; he lived in the constant and faithful
survey of his own heart and conduct, and he arose to the highest class of
the followers of Christ, whose religion is eminently that of the heart. Let
others pursue the same steps, and they will surely find the same precious
results.
“Thursday forenoon, Oct. 4, 1723. Have this day fixed and established it,
that Christ Jesus has promised me faithfully, that, if I will do what is my
duty, and according to the best of my prudence in the matter, that my
condition in this world shall be better for me than any other condition
whatever, and more to my welfare to all eternity. And, therefore, whatever
my condition shall be, I will esteem it to be such: and if I find need of faith
in the matter, that I will confess it as impiety before God. Vid. Resolution
57, and June 9.
Sabbath night, Oct. 7. Have lately erred, in not allowing time enough for
conversation.
Friday night, Oct. 12. I see there are some things quite contrary to the
soundness and perfection of Christianity, in which almost all good men do
allow themselves, and where innate corruption has an unrestrained secret
vent, which they never take notice of, or think to be no hurt, or cloak
under the name of virtue; which things exceedingly darken the brightness,
and hide the loveliness, of Christianity. Who can understand his errors? O
that I might be kept from secret faults!
Sabbath morning, Oct. 14. Narrowly to observe after what manner I act
when I am in a hurry, and to act as much so at other times as I can without
prejudice to the business.
Monday morning, Oct. 15. I seem to be afraid, after errors and decays, to
give myself the full exercise of spiritual meditation: — Not to give way to
such fears.
Thursday, Oct. 18. To follow the example of Mr. B. who though he meets
with great difficulties, yet undertakes them with a smiling countenance, as
though he thought them but little; and speaks of them as if they were very
small.
Friday night, Nov. 1. When I am unfit for other business to perfect myself
in writing characters.
Friday afternoon, Nov. 22. For the time to come, when I am in a lifeless
frame in secret prayer, to force myself to expatiate, as if I were praying
before others, more than I used to do.
Tuesday forenoon, Nov. 26. It is a most evil and pernicious practice, in
meditations on afflictions, to sit ruminating on the aggravations of the
affliction, and reckoning up the evil, dark circumstances thereof, and
dwelling long on the dark side: it doubles and trebles the affliction. And so
when speaking of them to others, to make them as bad as we can, and use
our eloquence to set forth our own troubles, is to be all the while making
new trouble, and feeding and pampering the old; whereas the contrary
practice would starve our affliction. If we dwelt on the bright side of things
in our thoughts, and extenuated them all that we possibly could, when
speaking of them, we should think little of them ourselves, and the
affliction would really, in a great measure, vanish away.
Friday night, Nov. 29. As a help to attention in social prayer, to take
special care to make a particular remark at the beginning of every petition,
confession, &c.

Part One

Containing the History of his Life, from his Birth to his SETTLEMENT in the Work of the Ministry.

Mr. Jonathan Edwards was born October 5, 1703, at Windsor, a town in Connecticut. His father was the Reverend Mr. Timothy Edwards, minister of the gospel on the east of the Connecticut river in Windsor. He began to reside and preach at Windsor in November 1694, but was not ordained till July 1698. He died January 27, 1758, in the 89th year of his age, not two months before this his son. He was in the work of the ministry above 59 years: and from his first beginning to reside and preach constantly till within a few months before his death. He was very universally esteemed and beloved as an upright, pious, exemplary man and faithful minister of the gospel; and was greatly useful. He was born at Hartford in Connecticut, May 14, 1669, received the honours of the college at Cambridge in New England, by having the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts given him the same day, July 4, 1691, one in the forenoon, and the other in the afternoon.
On the 6th day of November 1694, he was married to Mrs Esther Stoddard, in the 23rd year of her age, the daughter of the late famous Mr Solomon Stoddard of Northampton; whose great parts and zeal for experimental religion are well known in all the churches in America; and will probably be transmitted to posterity yet unborn, by his valuable writings. They lived together in the married state above 63 years. Mrs Edwards was born June 2. 1672, and is now living in her 89th year, remarkable for the little decay of her mental powers at so great an age.

They had eleven children: all of which lived to adult years, viz. Ten daughters, seven of whom are now living and their only son and fifth child.
Mr Edwards entered Yale College in the year 1716, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in September 1720, a little before he was seventeen years old. He had the character of a sober youth, and a good scholar while he was a member of the college. In his second year at college, and thirteenth of his age, he read Locke on the human understanding, with great delight and profit. He uncommon genius, by which he was as it were by nature, formed for the closeness of thought and deep penetration now began to exercise and discover itself. Taking that book into his hand, upon some occasion, not long before his death, he said to some of his select friends, who were then with him, that he was beyond expression entertained and pleased with it, when he read it in his youth at college; that he was as much engaged and had more satisfaction and pleasure in studying it, than the most greedy miser in gathering up handfuls of silver and gold form some new discovered treasure.
Though he made good proficiency in all the arts and sciences, and had an uncommon taste for natural philosophy, which he cultivated to the end of his life with that justness and accuracy of thought which was almost peculiar to him; yet Moral philosophy or Divinity was his favourite study.  In this he early made great progress. He lived at college near two years after he took his first degree, and designing and preparing for the work of the ministry. After which, having passed the perquisite trials, he was licensed to preach the gospel as a candidate. And being pitched upon, and applied to by a number of ministers in New England, who were entrusted to act in behalf of the English Presbyterians at New York, as a fit person to be sent to them, he complied with their request, and went to New York, the beginning of August 1722, and preached there to very good acceptance about eight months. But by reason of the smallness of that society, and some special difficulties that attended it, he did not think they were in a capacity to settle a minister, with a rational prospect of answered the good ends proposed. He therefore left them, the next spring, and retired to his father’s house; where he spent the summer in close study. He was indeed earnestly solicited by the people he had been among at New York, to return to them again; but for the reason just mentioned, he could not think himself in the way of his duty to gratify them.
In September 1723, he received his degree of Master of Arts; about which time he had invitations from several congregations to come among them in order to his settlement at the work of the ministry; but being chosen tutor of Yale College the next spring, in the year 1724, being in the twenty first year of his age, he retired to the college, and attended the business of tutor there above two years.
While he was in this place, he was applied to by the people of Northampton with an invitation to come and settle in the work of the ministry there, with his grandfather Stoddard, who, by reason of his great age, stood in need of assistance. He therefore resigned his tutorship, in September 1726, and accepted of their invitation; and was ordained in the work of the ministry at Northampton, colleague with his grandfather Stoddard, February 15, 1727, in the twenty fourth year of his age, where he continued in the work of the ministry till June 22, 1750, twenty three years and four month.
Between the time of his going to New York and his settlement at Northampton, he formed a number of resolutions and committed them to writing; the particular time, and special occasion of his making many of them, he has noted in his diary which he then kept; as well as many other observations and rules, which related to his own exercises and conduct. And as these resolutions, together with the things noted in his Diary, may justly be considered as the foundation and plan of his whole life, it maybe proper here to give the reader a taste and idea of them; which will therefore be done in the following extracts.
 

PRESIDENT EDWARDS, in the esteem of all the judicious, who were well acquainted with him, either personally or by his writings, was on 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 conversations, 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, and eminently good man. He 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 conscious, constant and universal obedience, in all exact and holy  ways of living: in one word, the goodness of 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 to come, to the great comfort and advantage of the church of Christ; that his publications will produce 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 upon the following composure so much an act of friendship to the dead, as of k 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 readers 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 an holy and useful life, all is in vain 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 laboured 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. He 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 corner-stone; while their hearts and practices, in some measure, answer to it, as in water, face answerth 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 are more and more convinced, the longer he lived; and which he was wont frequently to observe in conversation. If, therefore, there his remains are adapted to answer this end, and maybe 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 impropriates 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