Edwards’ First Published Sermon - 5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols

Summary3 min read

Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Title: Edwards’ First Published Sermon
Host: Stephen Nichols (Ligonier Ministries)
Date: July 16, 2025
Theme: This episode delves into the historical and theological significance of Jonathan Edwards’ first published sermon, “God Glorified in the Work of Redemption,” delivered in 1731. Host Stephen Nichols explores the unique circumstances of its publication, the core message of the sermon, and the enduring importance of Edwards’ thought.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historical Context of the Sermon

Jonathan Edwards preached his first published sermon on July 8, 1731, at the age of 27.
The sermon was published just over a month later, on August 17, 1731, in Boston.
The publication was unusual for someone so young, as it was more customary to publish sermons near the end of a minister’s career to honor their legacy.

2. Role of Thomas Prince and William Cooper

Thomas Prince (1687–1758) and William Cooper (1694–1743)—respected Boston ministers—were instrumental in publishing Edwards’ sermon.
They wrote a preface (referred to as an “advertisement”) highlighting both Edwards’ youth and humility:
- Quote [01:10]:
  
  "It was with no small difficulty that the author's youth and modesty were prevailed on to let him appear a preacher in our public lecture and afterwards to give us a copy of his discourse at the desire of diverse ministers and others who heard it."

3. Significance of the Boston Lecture Series

Public lectures were significant events in Puritan New England, held occasionally on Thursdays and attended by ministers from across Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Being chosen to preach—and have the sermon published—was a mark of distinction.

4. The Sermon’s Message & Biblical Text

The sermon is titled “God Glorified in the Work of Redemption.”
Edwards’ main text: 1 Corinthians 1:29–31
- “That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
Edwards’ doctrine:
- Quote [03:13]:
  
  “God is glorified in the work of redemption in this, that there appears in it so absolute and universal a dependence of the redeemed on him.”
The central insight is total reliance on God for salvation:
- The redeemed “have all of their good of God, and through God, but all of our good consists in him.”
- Paraphrase [03:33]:
  “The redeemed have all their good in God. He is all our good.”

5. Enduring Relevance

Nichols recommends the sermon as excellent summer reading, highlighting its deep theology and accessibility.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Edwards’ Reluctance Yet Impactful Role [01:10]:
“It was with no small difficulty that the author's youth and modesty were prevailed on to let him appear a preacher in our public lecture...”
(Attributed to Prince & Cooper, cited by Stephen Nichols)
On the Essence of the Sermon [03:13]:
“God is glorified in the work of redemption in this, that there appears in it so absolute and universal a dependence of the redeemed on him.”
(Jonathan Edwards, as summarized by Nichols)
On Our Reliance on God [03:33]:
“The redeemed have all their good in God. He is all our good.”
(Jonathan Edwards, as paraphrased by Nichols)

Important Timestamps

00:06–01:20 — Introduction, historical setup, involvement of Prince and Cooper
01:20–02:30 — Explanation of the unusual circumstances around the sermon’s publication and the Boston lecture tradition
02:30–03:13 — Title and theological focus of the sermon
03:13–03:33 — Edwards’ doctrine and scriptural basis
03:33–04:28 — Explanation of complete dependence on God and recommendation to read the sermon

Conclusion

Stephen Nichols provides a concise yet rich exploration of Jonathan Edwards’ first published sermon, placing it in historical context and drawing out Edwards’ central theme: the utter dependence of redeemed people on God for all good and for salvation itself. Nichols underscores the humility of the young Edwards and the bold, theologically weighty message that even in youth, a minister could set before both his contemporaries and future generations. The episode closes with an encouragement to read the sermon today, reflecting on its timeless message.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:06]
A
Welcome back to another episode of five Minutes in Church History. On this episode, we are looking at Jonathan Edwards first published sermon. He preached this sermon on July 8, 1731. He was 27 years old, and a month and a week later it was published in Boston. On August 17, 1731, the two ministers in Boston who were responsible for it getting published, Thomas Prince and William Cooper, wrote a little preface, what they called an advertisement, to the reader respecting the first sermon. And Thomas Prince ended up being a longtime friend and supporter of Jonathan Edwards. Thomas Prince was born in 1687. He died in 1758, the same year that Jonathan Edwards died and spent most of those years as a minister in Boston. The other was William Cooper. He was born in 1694. He died in 1743. And as we've said, another Boston pastor. They write in their advertisement, first sentence. It was with no small difficulty that the author's youth and modesty were prevailed on to let him appear a preacher in our public lecture and afterwards to give us a copy of his discourse at the desire of diverse ministers and others who heard it. Now, let's explain what's going on here. It was very typical in Puritan days that when a minister would get near the end of his career, they would publish one of his sermons, and it was a way to honor a minister. And then these sermons, they'd be printed up usually in Boston, and they'd be circulated around New England, et cetera. It was very unusual for a young minister to have a sermon published. And so we find out that Edward's youth at 27 years of age and his modesty, his humility, were needing to be prevailed upon for him, first of all to give the public lecture and then to have it published. These public lectures were a big deal on Puritan days. They were held on Thursdays in Boston, not every Thursday, occasionally on Thursdays. And ministers would gather not just from Boston, but for many of these, they'd come in from all over Massachusetts or the colony of Connecticut, and they would gather in a church, and they were ministers there to be preached to by a fellow minister. And again, it was a big deal to be chosen to give the public lecture and then to have it published. Well enough about Edwards, because the sermon that was published is God glorified in the work of redemption. It goes on to say, by the greatness of man's dependence upon him in the whole of it. In other words, as we come to this great doctrine of salvation, we have two factors. We have one, that it is entirely the work of God, and therefore he is entirely deserving of the glory. And the other factor is our absolute dependence, our utter need of dependence on him for salvation from start to finish. Edwards chose as his text for this sermon, 1 Corinthians 1:29 31, that no flesh should glory in his presence, but of him Are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, that according as it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. From this text Edwards draws this doctrine. God is glorified in the work of redemption in this that there appears in it so absolute and universal a dependence of the redeemed on him. Every part of you as a redeemed person, and all of us as redeemed persons, are entirely dependent upon God. Edwards will go on to say that not only do the redeemed have all of their good of God, and through God, but all of our good consists in him. The redeemed have all their good in God. He is all our good. It is a wonderful sermon. It is summertime, so I commend it to you as some great summer reading. It is the first published sermon of Jonathan Edwards, going all the way back to 1710 31. And I'm Steve Nichols, and thanks for listening to Five Minutes in Church History.