Jonathon Edwards

Jonathon Edwards knew what he intended to be understood when writing his sermon "Sinners in the hands of an angry God." He makes the audience of the eighteenth century grasp onto their chairs and look away in fear of the sight or sound of hell. He wants to make sure the audience is aware of heaven and hell, so they may achieve the "right one." Edwards scares the audience to believe that God can do away with them at any second. He uses dramatic comparisons to show the wrath of God. To make people turn from their sinful ways, he compared God’s wrath to “great waters" and a "bow" that is bent with the arrow ready to pierce the heart of the sinner.He also made people believe that they may be saved. “Than only that you shall not suffer beyond what strict justice requires….” He uses vivid imagery to portray his thoughts of God and damnation. "[the Devil]... stands waiting for them, like greedy hungry lions that see their prey, and expect to have it...” Also, he includes metaphors and smilies. “Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead….” He exaggerates to make the audience feel oppressed by the thought of hell. “You are ten thousand times more abominable in his eyes, than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours…." Jonathan wants to persuade the people that they only depend on God. “Every soul in this congregation that has not been born again, however moral and strict, sober and religious.." is constantly in danger because he or she has not completely devoted himself or herself to God. So any person who isn't devoted may be killed at any moment by God and damned to hell; there is no escape. Jonathan Edwards is in attempt to make sure people of the eighteenth century know of hell and believe that it is real. He overwhelms them with images of hell and fear of rejection on Gods part. He strikes them with fear and recognition of sin and utilizes their own guilt to achieve them into repentance.