Differences in the Discovery of His Grace

Excerpted from The Narrative of Surprising Conversions
by Jonathan Edwards

These gracious discoveries given, whence the first special
comforts are derived, are in many respects very various. More frequently,
Christ is distinctly made the object of the mind in His all-sufficiency and
willingness to save sinners; but some have their thoughts more especially fixed
on God, in some of His sweet and glorious attributes manifested in the Gospel,
and shining forth in the face of Christ. Some view the all-sufficiency of the
mercy and grace of God; some, chiefly the infinite power of God, and His
ability to save them, and to do all things for them; and some look most at the
truth and faithfulness of God. In some, the truth and certainty of the Gospel
in general is the first joyful discovery they have; in others, the certain
truth of some particular promises; in some the grace and sincerity of God in
His invitations, very commonly in some particular invitation in the mind, and
it now appears real to them that God does indeed invite them. Some are struck
with the glory and wonderfulness of the dying love of Christ; and some with the
sufficiency and preciousness of His blood, as offered to make an atonement for
sin; and others, with the value and glory of His obedience and righteousness.
In some, the excellency and loveliness of Christ chiefly engages their
thoughts; in some, His divinity, that He is indeed the Son of the living God;
and in others, the excellency of the way of salvation by Christ, and the
suitableness of it to their necessities.

What glorious contemplations these seeking sinners had of
God’s glorious way of redemption! In Psalm 85:10, we read, “Mercy and truth are
met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Here the harmony
of the divine attributes meet together at Calvary, manifesting the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6).