Apple of God's Eye's

English: The memorial to Jonathan Edwards in the chapel of Jesus College, Oxford (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Jonathan Edwards was one of the greatest American theologians and philosophers. His works combine profound theology with religious fervor. His Resolutions give insight into the intensity and seriousness of his pursuit of God:

“Being sensible that I am unable to do any thing 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 the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration . . . whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
5. Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.
11. Resolved, When I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.
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.
36. Resolved, Never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call to it. Dec. 19, 1722.
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.
56. Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
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.

Read the rest of Edwards' Resolutions.