Search for perfection Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edwards were both Enlightenment thinkers of the eighteenth century. However, they differ in their tone and ideas concerning moral perfection. Edwards presents his views through puritan values and revelation ,while Franklin uses ideological and scientific reason. Jonathan Edwards “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” and Benjamin Franklin's “The Autobiography " demonstrates their views on achieving moral perfection.
Edwards’ sermon displayed a profound emotional impact through fear. Jonathan Edwards's Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, was delivered on July 8, 1741 in Enfield, Connecticut. It was preached in order to grab the attention of 'sinners' in hopes for them to seek God's …show more content…
The last theme he expresses is that the only thing keeping sinners out of hell is God's will. God is giving them an opportunity to show mercy. Theses themes are utilized by the use of vivid imagery along with other rhetorical devices to make his point. Edwards does not hold back when criticizing people for their sinful ways. Sin, as explained in his sermon, is controlled by the devil. Unless sinners have experienced an awakening, they are in the devil's possession. Sinners are portrayed as corrupt, conceited and helpless because they reject God. Jonathan Edwards says, "the God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked"(Edwards 285). There is no security that will save sinners. Good actions is not enough because they are useless."We find it easy to tread on and crush a Worm that we see crawling on the Earth; so ‘tis easy for us to cut or singe a slender Thread that any Thing hangs by; thus easy is it for God when he pleases to cast his Enemies down to Hell"(Edwards 279).Human beings only existed because of God's will."There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God"(Edwards 279).God was the only thing keeping sinners out of hell. Edwards wanted to teach people
Edwards’ sermon displayed a profound emotional impact through fear. Jonathan Edwards's Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, was delivered on July 8, 1741 in Enfield, Connecticut. It was preached in order to grab the attention of 'sinners' in hopes for them to seek God's …show more content…
The last theme he expresses is that the only thing keeping sinners out of hell is God's will. God is giving them an opportunity to show mercy. Theses themes are utilized by the use of vivid imagery along with other rhetorical devices to make his point. Edwards does not hold back when criticizing people for their sinful ways. Sin, as explained in his sermon, is controlled by the devil. Unless sinners have experienced an awakening, they are in the devil's possession. Sinners are portrayed as corrupt, conceited and helpless because they reject God. Jonathan Edwards says, "the God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked"(Edwards 285). There is no security that will save sinners. Good actions is not enough because they are useless."We find it easy to tread on and crush a Worm that we see crawling on the Earth; so ‘tis easy for us to cut or singe a slender Thread that any Thing hangs by; thus easy is it for God when he pleases to cast his Enemies down to Hell"(Edwards 279).Human beings only existed because of God's will."There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God"(Edwards 279).God was the only thing keeping sinners out of hell. Edwards wanted to teach people