by Jonathan Edwards
Available in ePub, mobi and .pdf formats
HT: Chapel Library
This sermon was “preached at the first precinct at Northampton after the people’s public rejection of their minister and renouncing their relation to him as pastor of the church there, on June 22, 1750.” How this rejection came about is not the focus in his last message to his beloved congregation, but rather how the pastor and congregation must relate to each other, both during their time as congregants and when they meet at the Last Judgment, when all things will be known! In this, it is wonderfully instructive for churches everywhere.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
I. How Ministers and Their People Will Meet in the Day of Judgment
1. They shall not meet as all the world will meet.
a. As to a clear actual view and distinct knowledge and notice of each other
b. They shall meet together as having special concern one with another in the great transactions of that Day.
2. They shall not meet as they did in this world
a. Now they meet together in a preparatory mutable[12] state, but then in an unchangeable state.
b. Then they shall meet together in a state of clear, certain, and infallible light.
c. In this world, ministers and their people often meet together to hear of and wait upon an unseen Lord; but at the Judgment, they shall meet in His most immediate and visible presence.
d. The meeting at the last Day of ministers and the people that have been under their care will not be attended by anyone with a careless, heedless heart.
II. The Purposes for which They Shall Meet
1. To give an account in the relation they bore to each other
2. That Christ may judge between them regarding any controversies
3. To receive an eternal sentence and retribution from the Judge
III. The Reasons for which They Shall Meet
1. For their mutual concerns
2. For the special relation these have to the Day of Judgment
IV. Applications
1. To those who are professors of godliness amongst us
2. To those who remain in a Christless, godless condition
3. To those who are under some awakenings
4. To the young people of the congregation
5. To the children of the congregation
6. Some words of advice to all
a. Maintaining of family order
b. Avoiding contention
c. Watching against error
d. Praying
e. Caring for the minister
Jonathan Edwards Short Biography