Quote 1358
Of all kinds of knowledge that we can ever obtain, the knowledge of God, and the knowledge of ourselves, are the most important.
Jonathan Edwards
Preface, Freedom of the Will14.8K
Other Quotes from the Author & Topic
Resolved, never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.Resolutions
Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times.https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-resolutions-of-jonathan-edwards
The resurrection of Christ is the most joyful event that ever came to pass.
Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-resolutions-of-jonathan-edwards
God's purpose for my life was that I have a passion for God's glory and that I have a passion for my joy in that glory, and that these two are one passion.
Whether God has decreed all things that ever come to pass or not, all that own the being of a God, own that He knows all things beforehand. Now, it is self-evident that if He knows all things beforehand, He either doth approve of them or doth not approve of them; that is, He either is willing they should be, or He is not willing they should be. But to will that they should be is to decree them.
Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.Resolutions
Knowledge is the eye which must direct the foot of obedience.
We may have excellent notions in divinity, but the Holy Ghost must enable us to know them after a spiritual manner; a man may see the figures upon a dial, but he cannot tell how the day goes unless the sun shine. We may read many truths in the Bible, but we cannot know them savingly till God's Spirit does shine upon us (1 Cor. 2:10).
The knowledge of a godly man is self-emptying; carnal knowledge makes the head giddy with pride (1 Cor. 8:2). True knowledge brings a man out of love with himself; the more he knows, the more he blushes at his own ignorance.
The knowledge of a godly man is growing. True knowledge is like the light of the morning, which increases in the horizon till it comes to the full meridian. So sweet is spiritual knowledge that the more a saint knows, the more thirsty he is of knowledge.
Some know but to know. Some know to be known. Some know to practice what they know. Now to know but to know, that is curiosity. To know to be known, that is vainglory. But to know to practice what we know, that is gospel duty. This makes a man a complete Christian; the other without this makes a man almost, and yet but almost a Christian.
The mind is to the heart as the door to the house; what comes into the heart comes in at the understanding, which is introductive to it.
Remember that as it is Christ's work to teach, it is yours to hear and read and study and pray and practice what you hear. Do your part, then, if you expect the benefit. You come not to the school of Christ to be idle. Knowledge drops not into the sleepy dreamer's mouth. Dig for it, as for silver, and search for it in the Scriptures as for a hidden treasure.
Let me caution you, lest, instead of gaining Christ by your knowledge, you rather lose him, by putting your knowledge in the place of Christ, and trusting on it for your salvation.
I well know, that the little measure of knowledge I have obtained in the things of God has not being owing to my own wisdom and docility, but to his goodness.
Pride is the most hidden, secret, and deceitful of all lusts.
Either I must lay hold of Christ or the devil will lay hold of me and drag me to the pit of misery.
God is a perfectly happy Being, in the most absolute and highest sense possible; in strict propriety of speech, there is no such thing as any pain, grief or trouble in God.
It is God's way to let ministers try all their strength first, and then He Himself comes and subdues the hearts they cannot.
If true religion lies much in the affections, we may infer, that such a way of preaching the word . . . as has a tendency deeply to affect the hearts of those who attend . . . is much to be desired.Religious Affections
God hath appointed . . . preaching . . . as a fit means . . . to stir up the pure minds of the saints, quicken their affections by often bringing the great things of religion to their remembrance, setting them in their proper colours, though they know them, and have been fully instructed in them.
Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity.https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-resolutions-of-jonathan-edwards
I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age.https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-resolutions-of-jonathan-edwards
Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-resolutions-of-jonathan-edwards
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