Jonathan Edwards:
Born in 1703 Great Awakening led by him. Died on 1758.
“Personal narrative”
Ideas: .God is omniscient and He is the only one who knows our previous existence,
present, and next existence. Even the worst are redeemed. Men are tools in God’s hands.
Salvation comes throughout of pure love to Christ. God does not offer his mercy arbitrarily.
Melancholy and sweetness quote:
“My heart seemed to sink (…) with a kind of melancholy mixed with sweetness. (…) After
I came home to Windsor my support was in contemplations on the heavenly state, that
state where is the enjoyment of the persons loved, without ever parting, (…) that this
enjoyment will last to all eternity.” (p.392)
Salvation quotes:
I fell again into my old ways of sin (…) I had great and violent inward struggles. (…) I laid
myself under by a kind of vows to God to break off all former wicked ways; and to apply
myself to seek my salvation. (…) I made seeking my salvation the main business of my
life.” (p.387)
Cotton Mather
Born in 1663 in Boston. Was a great influence for the trials of Salem.Died in February
1728.
“The wonders of invisible world”:
Witchcraft is affirmed by Christians quote:
And we have now with horror seen the discovery of such a witchcraft! (309).
Objectivity vs. Subjevtivity quote:
I was not present at any of them (...) but having received a command (...) I report matters
not as an advocate but as an historian. (310)
“Trial of Martha Carrier”
False reports and manipulation of truth quote:
Before the trial of this prisoner, several of her own children had frankly and fully confessed,
not only that they were witches themselves, but that this their mother had made them so.
This confession they made with great shows of repentance, and with much demonstration
of truth. (311)
