Conviction

On March 16, 1742, Jonathan Edwards’ congregation entered into a covenant.

Everyone in the church fifteen and older made promises.

“In all our conversation, concerns, and dealings with our neighbor,

we will have strict regard to rules of honesty, justice, and uprightness.”
 

“And furthermore we promise that we will not allow ourselves in backbiting.”
 

“And we promise that we will be very careful to avoid doing any thing to our neighbor 

out of a spirit of revenge.”
 

“And if any of us find that we have an old secret grudge against any of our neighbors,

we will not gratify it but cross it, and endeavor to our utmost to root it out,

crying to God for his help.”
 

“And those of us that are in youth do promise never to allow ourselves

in any diversions or pastimes, in meetings, or companies of young people…

to rob God of that honor which he expects.”
 

“And furthermore we promise that will strictly avoid all freedoms and familiarities

in company [which] stir up a lust…that we cannot in our consciences think

 will be approved by the infinitely pure and holy eye of God.”
 

“And we now appear before God, depending on Divine grace and assistance,

solemnly to devote our whole lives, to be laboriously spent in the business of religion.”