Felix not only preferred his business to his salvation, but he mentions it with evasive disdain.  “When I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”  “When I have a convenient season!” Might we not thence infer that the truths discust by St. Paul were not of serious importance?  Might we not infer that the soul of Felix was created for the government of Judea; and that the grand doctrines of righteousness, temperance, and a judgment to come ought to serve at most but to pass away the time, or merely to engross one’s leisure—­“when I have a convenient season?” ...

Yes, Christians, this is the only moment on which we can reckon.  It is, perhaps, the only acceptable time.  It is, perhaps, the last day of our visitation.  Let us improve a period so precious.  Let us no longer say by and by—­at another time; but let us say to-day—­this moment—­even now.  Let the pastor say:  I have been insipid in my sermons, and remiss in my conduct; having been more solicitous, during the exercise of my ministry, to advance my family than to build up the Lord’s house, I will preach hereafter with fervor and zeal.  I will be vigilant, sober, rigorous, and disinterested.  Let the miser say:  I have riches ill acquired.  I will purge my house of illicit wealth.  I will overturn the altar of Mammon and erect another to the supreme Jehovah.  Let the prodigal say:  I will extinguish the unhappy fires by which I am consumed and kindle in my bosom the flame of divine love.  Ah, unhappy passions, which war against my soul; sordid attachments; irregular propensities; emotions of concupiscence; law in the members,—­I will know you no more.  I will make with you an eternal divorce, I will from this moment open my heart to the eternal Wisdom, who condescends to ask it.

If we are in this happy disposition, if we thus become regenerate, we shall enjoy from this moment foretastes of the glory which God has prepared.  From this moment the truths of religion, so far from casting discouragement and terror on the soul, shall heighten its consolation and joy; from this moment heaven shall open to this audience, paradise shall descend into your hearts, and the Holy Spirit shall come and dwell there.  He will bring that peace, and those joys, which pass all understanding.

EDWARDS

SPIRITUAL LIGHT

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Jonathan Edwards, the New England divine and metaphysician, was born at East Windsor, Connecticut, in 1703.  He was graduated early from Yale College, where he had given much attention to philosophy, became tutor of his college, and at nineteen began to preach.  His voice and manner did not lend themselves readily to pulpit oratory, but his clear, logical, and intense presentation of the truth produced a profound and permanent effect upon his hearers.  He wrote what were considered the most important philosophical treatises