Introduction to Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

For Edwards, resolutions were neither pious hopes, romantic dreams, nor legalistic rules. They
were instructions for life, maxims to be followed in all respects. Edwards depended on the
sustaining strength of his omnipotent Deity to enable him to live up to them.
The Resolutions were Edwards guidelines for self-examination. Puritans set great store by
biblical injunctions to submit themselves to divine searching and to monitor their motives and
actions. On a community level, congregations were exhorted to practice introspection as a
duty of great consequence.
Edwards lays out the Resolutions in a matter-of-fact style, treating them much like scientific
principles. Of the seventy resolutions, the first one dated, No. 35, was written on December
18, 1722, when the Diary begins. The last, No. 70, was composed on August 17, 1723. Thus,
at least half were devised during Edwards New York pastorate and subsequent stay in East
Windsor, before receiving his Masters degree in September 1723. The date and place of
composition of the early, undated resolutions are unknown.
Drawing up resolutions was a standard practice for educated people in the eighteenth century.
Scholars have long compared Edwards and Benjamin Franklins resolutions. In addition to
arguing about Edwards and Franklins respective skills and significance as autobiographers,
scholars have discussed the two men as philosophers, scientists, and religious commentators.
They have seen in these representative figures two sides of the Enlightenment, as well as the
different patterns of the American character.
Franklins resolutions in his Autobiography stand in interesting comparison with Edwards'.
Both men agreed on the value of making resolutions, evaluating their effectiveness, and
following them lifelong. And the resolutions show that the two were united on the importance
of speaking the truth, living in moderation, helping others, and doing ones duty. Each
counseled himself (and others) to avoid sloth, make good use of time, cultivate an even
temper, and pray for divine assistance; and each offers an energetic, thoughtful approach to
life.
Beyond these similarities, however, the two differ greatly, and the resolutions reflect this.
Franklin was satisfied with only thirteen resolutions, while the earnest Edwards drew out his
list to seventy. They also differed in spirit and purpose. Franklin represents the Age of
Reason. His emphasis is on this world and the preparation of a good citizen. His Resolutions
were brief, epigrammatic, and eclectic. Jesus and Socrates equally merited imitation. Prayers
were an afterthought in Franklin's daily practice. In contrast, Edwards remained the exemplar
of Puritanism, depicting himself, along with all humans, as weak and sinful, helpless without
divine intervention. Because the ultimate intention of the Resolutions was to produce a soul fit
for eternity with God, they served as a set of practical day-to-day guidelines for achieving that
end. Edwards adjured himself to study the Scriptures above all other books and to pray
steadfastly; Jesus was to be trusted as Lord; God was present, personal, and primary.

RESOLUTIONS
Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat him by
his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for
Christ's sake.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. 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, without any consideration of the time,
whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. 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.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to
promote the forementioned things.
[[3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these
Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.]]
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what
tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
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.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my
life.
[[8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as
I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and
that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove
only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. Vid. July 30, [1723].]]
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common
circumstances which attend death.
[[10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.]]
11. Resolved, when I think of any1 theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I
can towards solving it, if circumstances don't hinder.
[[12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such
account, immediately to throw it by.]]
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.
[[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.
18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have
clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
[[19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not
be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.]]
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do anything, 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.
[[22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself (as much happiness, in the other world,) as I
possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of,
or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be
done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it;
and if I find it not to be for God's glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.]]
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the
original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with
all my might against the original of it.
[[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.
26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God;
and frequently to examine my omissions.]]
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.
[[29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a
petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a
confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.]]
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.
[[31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable
to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest
humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the Golden Rule; often,
when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this
Resolution.]]
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Proverbs 20:6, "A
faithful man who can find?" may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining and establishing2 peace,
when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. [[Dec. 26, 1722.]]
34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.
[[35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet
and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18,
1722.]]
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. [[Dec.
19, 1722.]]
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,
what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week,
month and year. [[Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.]]
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous,3 or matter of laughter on the Lord's
day. [[Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.]]
39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend,
at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no: except I as
much question the lawfulness of the omission.
[[40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way
I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.]]
41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could
possibly in any respect have done better. [[Jan. 11, 1723.]]
42. 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 12th day of January,
172223.
43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were anyway my own, but entirely
and altogether God's, agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, Jan. 12. [[Jan. 12th, 1723.
44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my
actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious
end will carry it. Jan. 12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor
any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12
and 13, 1723.]]
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or
mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or
motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and
universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented, easy, compassionate, generous,
humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even,
patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would
lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so. [[Sabbath morning, May 5,
1723.]]
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to
be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ
or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of.
[[May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.]]
50. 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. [[July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should
at last be damned. July 8, 1723.]]
52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their
lives over again: resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done,
supposing I live to old age. [[July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of
mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and
consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing
that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.]]
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in commendation4 of any person, if I think it would be
praiseworthy in me, resolved to endeavor to imitate it. [[July 8, 1723.]]
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had already seen
the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. [[July 8, 1723.]]
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions,
however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my
duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be
concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. [[June 9 and July 13, 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation,
but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27 and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill-nature and anger, that I will
strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though
I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at
other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am
conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject
myself to the strictest examination. July 4 and 13, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my
mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for itthat what
my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21 and July 13, 1723.]]
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, do it
willingly and cheerfully "as unto the Lord, and not to man; knowing that whatever good thing
any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord." [[June 25 and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one
time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having
Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from
whatever part and under whatever character viewed: resolved, to act just as I would do, if I
strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan. 14 and July 13, 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those "groanings which cannot be uttered," of which the Apostle
speaks [Romans 8:26], and those "breakings of soul for the longing it hath," of which the
Psalmist speaks, Psalms 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that
I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such
earnestness. July 23 and Aug. 10, 1723.]]
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest
openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my
sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and everything, and every
circumstance; according to Dr. Manton's 27th sermon on the 119th Psalm.5 [[July 26 and Aug.
10, 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and
speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires
otherwise.]]
67. 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.
[[68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or
sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore
needed help. July 23 and Aug. 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug.
11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. Aug. 17, 1723.]]

1. "Any" is from Dwight (1, 69); Hopkins (p. 6) reads "my."
2. Dwight (1, 70): "preserving."
3. Ibid., "sportive."
4. "Commendation" is from Dwight (1, 72); Hopkins (p. g) reads "conversation."
5. Thomas Manton, One Hundred and Ninety Sermons on the Hundred and Nineteenth Psalm
(London, 1681). The doctrine of Sermon XXVII, on Psalms 119:26 (pp. 16270), reads:
"They that would speed with God, should learn this point of Christian ingenuity, unfeignedly
to lay open their whole case to him." See also the "Diary" for July 26, 1723, below.