1a. According to Edwards, what does the average person think keeps him or her alive? To what does Edwards give complete credit?
2a. What are some of the elements of creation that Edwards lists as "not willingly" serving the sinner?
3a. What does Edwards claim is required to take a person out of the sinner classification?
4a. In paragraph 4, what progression does Edwards trace in speaking of the threat to the sinner's existence?
5a. Do you think that this sermon could be influential, on a short-term basis, in inspiring listeners to throw themselves on the mercy of an angry God? What would you expect to be its long-term impact? Why?
1b. In paragraph 2, Edwards compares the sinner first with a fallen rock and later with chaff on a threshing floor. What does he mean by each of these similes?
2b. Which elements of nature does Edwards use in paragraph 2 to represent God's anger? What qualities do these elements have in common with anger?
3b. What abstract ideal is personified—described as a person—in paragraph 3? In what action is this personified ideal occupied? Why is this comparison frightening?
4b. Why might this progression be particularly effective in arousing fear?
5b. Read the following speech from William Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice. Write a brief essay comparing and contrasting the view of God presented in this speech with that presented in Edwards's sermon. PORTIA: The quality of mercy is not strain'd, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest, it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown. His scepter shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptered sway, It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's When mercy seasons justice.
Emphasis. Identify a paragraph in which Edwards uses both repetition and elaboration to emphasize an important concept. State the concept being emphasized. Then identify the repeated words or phrases, and list some additions or changes that elaborate on the original statement.
Analogy. Refer to the graphic organizer you completed as you read the selection. Then, answer the following questions: Do you think the analogies Edwards uses are effective? Why, or why not?
1. Write a journal entry about things you would like to do to make yourself a better person. Write about your idea of a "sinner" and your idea of a holy or "pure" person. You do not have to share this journal entry with anyone.
2. Write two metaphors and two similes about what you imagine the church was like the day Edwards delivered this sermon. Avoid cliched, or overused, phrases such as "the preacher's voice roared like thunder" or "the woman in the front row was shaking like a leaf." Try to think of creative ways to describe the scene.
3. Imagine that you are explaining the main points of this sermon to a friend. In your own words and in simple, informal language, write a summary of the sermon's main ideas. For example, what is the view of God that Edwards presents? Of what does Edwards warn his parishoners?Integrating the Language Arts
Concrete and Abstract Nouns. Write each of the nouns in these sentences. Star (*) the concrete nouns once. Star the abstract nouns twice.(**)
1. Jonathan Edwards was the last great spokesperson for Puritanism.
2. The bow of God's wrath is bent and the arrow made ready on the string.
3. He wrote and spoke with such power that congregations reacted with barely controllable emotion.
4. For years, his words inspired an era of belief called "The Great Awakening."
5. Eventually, however, his inability to compromise ended in his downfall.
