The Quotable Jonathan Edwards

"I make it my rule to lay hold of light and embrace it, wherever I see it, though held forth by a child or an enemy."

"I am fitted for no other business but study."

"Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in knowledge of the same."

"Such little things as Christians commonly do, will not evince much increase in grace. We must do great things for God."

"Being sensible that I am to do anything without God's help, I do humbly 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."

"The mind having a sensibleness of the excellency of divine objects, dwells upon them with delight; and the powers of the soul are more awakened and enlivened to employ themselves in the contemplation of them, and exert themselves more fully and much more to the purpose."

"All gracious affections are broken-hearted affections."

"Holiness is the most beautiful, lovely thing."

"Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general, Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever."

"Thus love would dispose to all duties, both toward God and toward man."

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

"Christ, as he is a divine person, is the Lord of heaven and earth, and so one of infinite dignity, to whom our supreme respect is due; and on that account he is infinitely worthy that we should regard, not only his precepts, but example. The infinite honorableness of his person recommends his virtues, and a conformity to them as our greatest dignity and honor."

"Almost all the prosperity of a public society and civil community does, under God, depend on their rulers."

"They [ministers] should imitate the faithfulness of Christ in his ministry; in speaking whatsoever God had commanded him, and declaring the whole counsel of God."

"Every Christian family ought to be as it were a little church, consecrated to Christ, and wholly influenced and governed by his rules."

"It is manifest, that the Scriptures speak, on all occasions, as though God made himself his end in all his works; and as though the same Being, who is the first cause of all things, were the supreme and last end of all things."

"Procure and diligently use other books which may help you to grow in this knowledge. There are many excellent books extant, which might greatly forward you in this knowledge, and afford you a very profitable and pleasant entertainment in your leisure hours."