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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Edwards' claim, the the Doctrine section of his sermon, that "Unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering" (408), is what type of argument?

2. What is Edwards' sixth argument for the truth of his statement of doctrine?

3. In the Doctrine section of his sermon, Edwards calls God's laws "immutable" (407). What is he saying is true of God's laws?

4. What is Edwards' eighth argument for the truth of his statement of doctrine?

5. In the "Doctrine" section of his sermon, Edwards makes reference to God's "sovereign" power. What kind of power is this?

Short Essay Questions

1. When, in the Doctrine section of his sermon, Edwards says of sinners that "The glittering sword is whet, and held over them, and the pit hath opened her mouth under them," (407), what does he mean, and what analogy found elsewhere in the sermon is he making reference to?

2. In the Doctrine section of his sermon, what does Edwards mean when he says that the "mere pleasure of God" (406) is all that keeps sinners out of hell?

3. Why does Edwards say, in the Doctrine section of the sermon, that those who think that they are protecting themselves from hell are fooling themselves?

4. According to the Doctrine section of Edwards' sermon, what is God's attitude toward the sinners who are not yet in hell?

5. When, in the Doctrine section of his speech, Edwards says that "The Scripture represents them as his 'goods'" (407), to whom does he refer when he says "them" and "his," and what point is he making about these people?

6. According to the Doctrine section of Edwards' sermon, what different promises has God made to the converted and the unconverted?

7. Explain why, in the Doctrine section of his sermon, Edwards says that God is not like an earthly prince.

8. In the end of the Doctrine section of his sermon, what criticism does Edwards make of religious authorities who do not believe what he believes?

9. In the Doctrine section of his sermon, Edwards compares God's power to the power of a human to crush a worm. Explain the meaning and significance of this analogy.

10. Why, in the Doctrine section of his sermon, does Edwards say that sinners should not be comforted by the fact that there is no "visible means of death at hand" (408)?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify an aphorism in Edwards' sermon. Explain what qualifies it as an aphorism and discuss its rhetorical effect.

Essay Topic 2

Edwards' sermon uses a logical format that allows him to be extremely convincing if the audience accepts the premises of his argument. Explain how his argument can be critiqued by examining his premises.

Essay Topic 3

Explain how the structure of the Awakening sermon creates a sense of approaching doom in Edwards' audience. How does the sermon gradually bring its "action" closer and closer to the audience?

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