Resolutions for a Lifetime
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), the famous preacher from New England, made a number of resolution at the tender age of 19. While the style suggests an unduly somber mood for our generational tastes, we do need to be sobered as we face another year by the grace of God.
There were originally 70 of these resolutions. Let me give you my favourite 14. Some are provocative, all are challenging. I have retained the original numbering:-
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord’ s day.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can or think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, and what I might have got by them.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.
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Such devotion! Thanks for that, was encouraging and convicting.