Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

  Being sensible that I am unable to do any thing without God's

   help, I do humbly intreat him by his grace to enable me to

   keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His

   will, for Christ's sake.

   Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to

   God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the

   whole of my duration.

   Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for

   the good and advantage of mankind in general.

   Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how

   many and how great soever.

   Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but improve it the

   most profitable way I possibly can.

   Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to

   do, if it were the last hour of my life.

   Resolved, To be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity

   and liberality.

   Resolved, To maintain the strictest temperance in eating and

   drinking.

   Resolved, Never to do any thing, which if I should see in

   another, I should count a just occasion to despise Him for, or

   to think any way the more meanly of Him.

   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.

   Resolved, To strive to my utmost every week to be brought

   higher in religion, and to a higher excercise of grace, than I

   was the week before.

   Resolved, To ask myself at the end of every day, week, month

   and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done

   better.

   Resolved, Frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God,

   which was made at my baptism, which I solemnly renewed, when I

   was received into the communion of the church; and which I

   have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-3.

   Resolved, Never hence-forward, till I die, to act as if I were

   any way my own, but entirely and altogether God's.

   Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have

   been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future

   world.

   Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my

   fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

   Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better

   for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have

   got by them.