Deep Dive into The Life And Diary Of David Brainerd by Jonathan Edwards - Preface

Jonathan Edwards introduces the life of David Brainerd by establishing two primary methods for recommending true religion: doctrine, which provides the rules, and example, which demonstrates their power. While Jesus Christ perfectly embodied both, Edwards presents Brainerd as a remarkable human instance where eminent teaching and a "bright example" of piety were united.

Brainerd’s life served as a powerful confirmation of the reality of vital religion, particularly because his example was forged in unusual trials and "great fatigues" during his mission to the Indians. His legacy is defined by his ability to distinguish genuine spiritual affection from false "enthusiasm." Having briefly fallen into imprudent zeal in his youth, Brainerd later developed a sharp judgment against the "whimsical conceits" and arrogance of enthusiasts. He insisted that true piety arose from light and judgment, resulting in humility and meekness, rather than the "warm imagination" or visual impressions typical of false religion.

Edwards frankly addresses Brainerd’s imperfections, specifically his constitutional proneness to melancholy. Far from discrediting his testimony, this natural tendency to despondency serves as proof that his religious experiences were not the product of a flighty or sanguine imagination. A second imperfection was his tendency toward excessive labor, often pushing himself beyond his physical strength—an error he eventually regretted and warned against.

Initially, Brainerd wrote his diary solely for private use and was "invincibly averse" to its publication, even ordering parts of it destroyed before his death. However, he eventually yielded, allowing Edwards to publish the papers if they served God’s glory. The resulting history offers a comprehensive view of a man who, despite natural gloom and physical frailty, provided an illustrious pattern of true godliness, proving that the Christian life is both rational and resilient.

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