The time
during which this sermon was presented and the conditions of the religious world must be
understood in order to get the true picture of Edwards' sermon, "."
There was so much going on in the church both in Europe and America that prompted this
sermon. King Henry VIII had started his own church after the Pope would not let him do what he
wanted in divorcing his wife and marrying another, giving the impression that the king was above
religion. Others were discouraged over the political and economic conditions on both sides of
the Atlantic, causing people's convictions concerning religion to wane.
Edwards, being a Reform Theologian, was concerned about all of this and wanted to make
the point that, in answer to the question, God was prepared to send anyone
to hell who did not obey him. No exceptions. The only thing that kept anyone at any
time from being sent to Hell is the Grace and Mercy of God.
He does give a
"come to Jesus" moment at the end, so the sermon is not all "gloom and
doom", but it is a very clear appeal to shake to awareness.
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