One of the most famous sermons ever preached in American history is transcripted in this book. It’s hard to review a sermon the way one would review a book, because much of the power in preaching comes from the work of the Spirit in that time and place. That said, Edwards’ message about the reality of hell, the guilt of humanity, and the righteous judgment of God remains a poignant, much-needed message in our postmodern age.  

The man who walks in slippery places is at every moment liable to fall. He cannot foresee whether he will stand one moment or fall the next; and when he does fall, he falls at once, without warning. [15]

Sin is the ruin and misery of the soul. It is destructive in its nature; and if God should leave it without restraint, nothing else would be needed to make the soul perfectly miserable. [24]

Almost every natural man who hears of hell flatters himself that he will escape it. He depends on himself for his own security; he flatters himself because of what he has done, what he is now doing, or what he intends to do. [27]

God has placed Himself under no obligation, by any promise, to keep any natural man out of hell. God certainly has made no promises, either or eternal life or of any deliverance or preservation from eternal death, except those that are contained in the covenant of grace, the promises that are given in Christ, in whom all the promises are yes and amen. [30]

The wrath of God is an everlasting wrath… There will be no end to this exquisitely horrible misery. When you look forward, you will see a long forever, a boundless duration before you, which will swallow up your thoughts and amaze your soul; and you will absolutely lose all hope or confidence of ever having any deliverance, any end, any mitigation, any rest at all. You will know without question that you must wear out long ages, millions and millions of ages, in wrestling and conflicting with this almighty, merciless vengeance. And then, when you have done so, when so many ages have actually been spent by you in this manner, you will know that everything you have suffered is but a pinpoint compared with what remains. Your punishment will indeed be infinite. [56] 

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This small book (an adaptation of Edward’s final sermon in a 16-part series on 1 Corinthians 13) examines heaven and the love of God that defines it. In solid fashion, Edwards discusses the purity of heavenly love, describing how we will relate to God and to one another in the absence of hate and evil. Drawing from Scripture, Edwards paints a beautiful picture of heaven as the eternal dwelling place of God and those He loves. 

Even the very best of men, are, on earth, imperfect. But it is not so in heaven. There shall be no pollution, or deformity, or unamiable defect of any kind, seen in any person or thing; but everyone shall be perfectly pure, and perfectly lovely in heaven. That blessed world shall be perfectly bright, without any darkness; perfectly fair, without any spot; perfectly clear, without any cloud. [21]

Everything in the heavenly world shall contribute to the joy of the saints, and every joy of heaven shall be eternal. No night shall settle down with its darkness upon the brightness of their everlasting day. [63]

These things are not cunningly devised fables, but the great and dreadful realities of God’s word, and things that, in a little while, you will know with everlasting certainty are true. How, then, can you rest in such a state as you are in, and go about so carelessly from day to day, and so heedless and negligent of your precious, immortal souls? [96]

We shall leave all our cares, and troubles, and fatigues, and perplexities, and disturbances for ever. We shall rest from these storms that are raging here and from every toil and labor, in the paradise of God. [103]

You cannot constantly be seeking heaven, without having your thoughts much there. [105] 

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