In this study, we have come to the place where Christian and Hopeful are deceived by the Flatterer. A modern illustration is drawn by this character to the teaching of the proponents of the Federal Vision or Auburn Avenue Theology and the redefining of the doctrine of justification by faith. Finally, we discuss the encounter with Atheist.

Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. - 2 Chronicles 31- 1

This text touches on one of the most important doctrines of the Christian faith- the eternal generation of the Son.--The average church member in our day-even in sound, Reformed, gospel preaching churches-has no clue what the eternal generation of the Son is. He cannot define it or explain what it is. He can't show it from the Scriptures or defend it biblically. Much less has the church member been sufficiently equipped that he may discern when the truth of it is upheld and when vital components of the doctrine are being undermined or attacked. Normally when the doctrine is mentioned, Christians become perplexed. They think that to insist on it is to engage in theological hair-splitting that has no practical relevance for life.--I say to the contrary- it has everything to do with life. It has everything to do with who God is. Our understanding of the doctrine of eternal generation -or lack of it- affects our understanding of the gospel as it has been historically defined and articulated by the true church of Jesus Christ. Nicene Trinitarian orthodoxy matters, because it grounds the gospel in the reality of who God is.

-Narrated by Thomas Sullivan- William Pope...by associating with some backsliding professors, he entered the path to eternal ruin. His new companions ridiculed the eternity of future misery - and professed to believe even in the redemption of devils. William became an admirer of their scheme - a frequenter with them of the public house - and in time, a common drunkard. On one occasion of this kind, being upbraided as a Methodist, he replied, - I am not a Methodist now - it would be better for me were that the - case - for while I was a Methodist I was as happy as an angel, but now I am as miserable as a devil.

Hath Satan any more friendly aim and intention towards thee, who is a sharer in every temptation- To beguile thee as a serpent, to devour thee as a lion, is the friendship that he owes thee. I shall only add, that the sin he tempts thee to against the law, it is not the thing he aims at- his design lies against thy interest in the gospel.--Owen, John. Of Temptation . Unknown. Kindle Edition.

The almost Christians, like Agrippa, who were just now mentioned, and the half-believers, like Nicodemus, both need nothing more than the frequent recollection of the unpardonable duplicity of an unsettled and wavering conduct- and of the increased condemnation which must finally fall on such in the great day of account. Reader, art thou ashamed of prayer-- ashamed of that which is the distinguishing character of man, and the noblest privilege with which he is furnished- Anticipate, I beseech thee, that hour when the shame will be on the opposite side of the question - when it will not be the shame of man- of a poor fleeting creature of a day, like thyself- but the shame of an offended God, an injured Redeemer, and the presence of the whole world of congregated beings, at the judgment-seat of Christ-

-June 27.- Reading Life of David Brainerd. Most wonderful man- What conflicts, what depressions, desertions, strength, advancement, victories, within thy torn bosom- I cannot express what I think when I think of thee. To-night, more set upon missionary enterprise than ever.- -June 28.-Oh for Brainerd's humility and sin-loathing dispositions-- -June 30.-Much carelessness, sin, and sorrow. 'Oh wretched man than I am, who shall deliver me from this body of sin and death-' Enter thou, my soul, into the rock, and hide thee in the dust for fear of the Lord and the glory of his majesty.-

This is a funeral sermon for Pastor William Williams, the uncle of Jonathan Edwards 1665-1741. William Williams is the pastor who most likely beseeched Solomon Stoddard to appeal to Jonathan Edwards to be his successor at Northhampton. Interestingly, however, it was his sons - for example Solomon Williams - that turned against Jonathan Edwards in 1751 and were instrumental in removing him as the pastor.

When awakenings first begin, their consciences are commonly most exercised about their outward vicious course, or other acts of sin- but afterwards are much more burdened with a sense of heart-sins, the dreadful corruption of their nature, their enmity against God, the pride of their hearts, their unbelief, their rejection of Christ, the stubbornness and obstinacy of their wills- and the like. In many, God makes much use of their own experience, in the course of their awakenings and endeavors after saving good, to convince them of their own vile emptiness and universal depravity.

Some have had such a sense of the displeasure of God, and the great danger they were in of damnation, that they could not sleep at nights- and many have said that when they have laid down, the thoughts of sleeping in such a condition have been frightful to them- they have scarcely been free from terror while asleep, and they have awakened with fear, heaviness, and distress still abiding on their spirits.