Safety, Fullness, and Sweet Refreshment in Christ

There has been 3 previous posts on this sermon by Edwards. The introductory post was first, followed by posts on the first and second propositions. This post concerns itself with Edwards' third proposition. As well as online, this sermon can be found in Altogether Lovely (Jonathan, Edwards. Altogether Lovely Jonathan Edwards on the glory and excellency of Jesus Christ. Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1997).

The third proposition is as follows:

There is quiet rest and full refreshment in Christ for sinners that are weary and heavy laden with sin.

Sinners, according to Edwards, fall into two categories in terms of weariness and sin; those who are wearied with sin and those who are weary of sin. The first group, wearied with sin, are "are not wearied with sin from any dislike to it, or dislike of it. There is no sinner that is burdened with sin in the sense in which a godly man carries his indwelling sin ... The unregenerate man has nothing of this nature, for sin is yet his delight, he dearly loves it. If he be under convictions, his love to sin in general is not mortified, he loves it as well as ever, he hides it still as a sweet morsel under his tongue." Rather, those weary with sin are 'awakened sinners'. "Awakened sinners are weary with sin, but not properly weary of it. Therefore, they are only weary of the guilt of sin, the guilt that cleaves to their consciences is that great burden. God has put the sense of feeling into their consciences, that were before as seared flesh, and it is guilt that pains them. The filthiness of sin and its evil nature, as it is an offence to a holy, gracious, and glorious God, is not a burden to them. But it is the connexion between sin and punishment, between sin and God's wrath, that makes it a burden." Or to put it bluntly, as Edwards can do with the best of them, the awakened sinners are "burdened with their sins, not because there is any odiousness in them, but because there is hell in them."

For Edwards, not unexpectedly, Christ is the answer to that burden. First, "He takes away the guilt of sin, from which the soul before saw no way how it was possible to be freed, and which, if it was not removed, led to eternal destruction. When the sinner comes to Christ, it is all at once taken away, and the soul is left free, it is lightened of its burden, it is delivered from its bondage, and is like a bird escaped from the snare of the fowler." And secondly, "Christ puts strength and a principle of new life into the weary soul that comes to him." Finally, Edwards pronounces that "Christ gives to those who come to him such comfort and pleasure as are enough to make them forget all their former labour and travail."

Edwards asks the sinner to consider a few things. Firstly, that "there is no remedy but in Jesus Christ." Second, "that Christ is a remedy at hand." His final consideration for the sinner is great news. "Christ is not only a remedy for your weariness and trouble, but he will give you an abundance of the contrary, joy and delight."

I will stop there, though Edwards goes on to admonish the saint in similar fashion to the sinners. He declares that "There are quiet rest and sweet refreshment in Christ for God's people that are weary. The saints themselves, while they remain in this imperfect state, and have so much remains of sin in their hearts, are liable still to many troubles and sorrows, and much weariness, and have often need to resort anew unto Jesus Christ for rest." He goes on with three specific cases in which Edwards proclaims the rest and refreshment in Christ applies; those under afflictions, those under persecutions, and those under buffetings of Satan. Okay, I'm done ... really.