notes of The works of Jonathan Edwards began 12-25-10 p. ii, end of first complete paragraph.

. We must roam, as it were, through the world of intellect, and selecting form many minds the appropriate excellence of each, mould these fragments of intellectual beauty into an immortal feature of loveliness and perfection. p ii, paragraphs 3 and 4 the comparison of concentrations in a chemical reaction to the human minds in different concentrations. the products always reflect a part of the reactants, there will be no surprises... I jumped to start reading his memoirs. Chapter one: pg. liv paragraph two: Edwards basically gives his testimony here. His old self to New self. The things he struggled with, the things that drew him away. I entirely lost all those affections and delight..; and returned like a dog to his vomit, and went on in the ways of sin. I made seeking my salvation the main business of my life. I was indeed brought to seek salvation, in a manner that I never was before; I felt a spirit to part with all things in the world, for an interest in Christ p. lv paragraphs one: The first instance, that I remember, of that sort of inward, sweet delight in God and divine things, that I have lived much in since, was on reading those words 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. As I read the words, there came into my soul, and was as it were diffused through it, a sense of the glory of the Divine Being; a new sense, quite different from any thing I never experienced before. Never any words of scripture seemed to me as these words did. I thought with myself. how excellent a Being that was, and how happy I should be, if i might enjoy that God, and be rapt up to him in heaven; and be as it were swallowed up in him for ever! I kept saying, and as it were singing, over these words of Scripture to myself; and went to pray to God that I might enjoy him; and prayed in a manner quite different from what I used to do, with a new sort of affection. But it never came into my thought, that there was any thing spiritual, or of saving nature, in this. To be so caught up in this verse, those words describing the qualities of God shook my standings. I realized how lacking my life had been. Also to see such discipline displayed earlier in the chapter. This is a man who truly has his heart set on God and God alone. Instead of living a life that barely meets the requirements, am I not wanting this type of relationship with Him? Do I enjoy Him? Do those words mean something so deep to me as the words declare? p. lv paragraph two The second paragraph talks about his beauty. This I know not how to express otherwise, than by a calm, sweet abstraction of soul from all the concerns of this world; and sometimes a kind of vision, or fixed ideas and imaginations, of being alone in the mountains, or some solitary wilderness, far from all mankind, sweetly conversing with Christ, and wrapt and swallowed up in God. The sense I had of divine things, would often of a sudden kindle up, as it were, a sweet burning in my heart, an ardour of soul, that I know not how to express. I get this guy. I know what he speaks of. the paragraph goes on to speak of: God's excellency, his wisdom, his purity and love, seemed to appear in every thing; in the sun, moon, and stars; in the clouds and blue sky; in the grass, flowers, trees; in the

water and all nature; which used to greatly fix my mind. I often used to sit and view the moon for a long time; and in the day, spent much time in viewing the clouds and sky, to behold the sweet glory of God in these things: in the mean time singing forth, with a low voice, my contemplations of the Creator and Redeemer. When was the last time I was truly captivated by His Beauty? by his nature? When was the last time I went and prayed to him surrounded by His creation? This is something I thirst for, something I desire that I know I need to continue in practice. Thank you Lord for this awakening. It had been too long. I was trying to go off my own strength. p. lv paragraph iii Psalm 119 28 My soul breaketh for the long it hath. He is in constant prayer and thinking of Christ and conversing with God. Prayer seemed to be natural to me, as the breath by which the inward burnings of my heart had vent Retreating to places to really become one with the father. It truly mimics that of Christ: Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Chapter Two: It was short, but focused. Jonathan Edwards was a very devoted man. To whatever he did, he put his all into it. He had advantages as a child by having been exposed to scripture and education at a young. He went to college at age 12?? I think one of the points made also was that often we can prepare kids with challenging pushes. If we teach them early and develop a good discipline in them at a young age, it will benefit them in the long run when they are ready to make more of their own choices. This chapter had a lot of parenting advice I should go back and take note of when I am ready for that type of stuff... Chapter Three: This chapter mianly contained the resolutions of Jonathan edwards. These were standards/duties that he set for himself in order to keep inline. These were not on public display for people to seee what he was tryinhg to do, which is interestin to me. In a sense of getting accountable for these resolutions, he does not consider it. Why? How was he suposed to be able to have help and not be deceibed when making these and holding to them? This record of wanting to be a better man, wanting to grow each day, close to the one we know as the L:ord God Alimighty, is admiarable. Do I have that yearn everyday? Do I seek to yearn him in ALL I do or everyday? Morning by morning new mercies I see. Because of the LORDs great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The suggest the importance of consistency in character. By upholding to theses resolutions, he is able to refine himself in the manners in which he knows he needs most refinement. The areas he struggles with the most. The verse in 1 corinthians, 1:17. In everything, you seek Me. pertains to this whole chapter.