Deep Dive into Advice to Young Converts by Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards’ letter to Deborah Hatheway provides pastoral guidance for navigating the Christian life following conversion. Edwards argues that a convert must maintain the same "earnestness" and "violence" for the kingdom of heaven that they possessed while seeking salvation, noting that obligations to God are even greater after grace is received. He urges the believer to continue praying for spiritual sight and the love of Christ as if they were still unconverted, seeking a continual renewal of enlightenment.

Humility forms the foundation of this counsel. Edwards advises remembering past sins to remain humble and grieving post-conversion sins deeply, though never to the point of discouragement, as Christ’s merit outweighs all iniquity. He warns specifically against pride, describing it as the "worst viper" and the most deceitful, hidden enemy of the soul. To combat this, he suggests measuring one's spiritual state by how low and child-like it makes them feel, rather than by confidence alone.

Practical instructions include listening to every sermon with personal application and engaging in secret days of fasting and detailed confession. Regarding doubt, Edwards counsels against spending too much time analyzing past experiences; instead, he recommends pursuing "new light" and fresh acts of faith to scatter spiritual darkness. If fear prevails, it should be cast out by the reviving of love. Ultimately, Edwards portrays the Christian walk as one of total dependence, advising Hatheway to follow Christ as a "helpless child" holding His hand, while adorning her life with meekness and charity so as not to bring reproach upon religion.

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