View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the Doctrine section of his sermon, what point does Edwards make about those who are in hell?
(a) If they repent they can finally enter heaven.
(b) If they can no longer stand the suffering, they can ask God for mercy.
(c) They were not smart enough to outwit the devil.
(d) They did not expect to end up there.

2. What is Edwards' seventh argument for the truth of his statement of doctrine?
(a) God's Providence is for every human soul.
(b) Sinners hate God and His laws.
(c) The devil "owns" the souls of sinners.
(d) People should not take comfort in their seeming safety.

3. When Edwards uses the phrase "natural man," what is he referring to?
(a) Souls already in hell.
(b) People who live as God intends them to.
(c) Adam.
(d) Those who have not been "born again."

4. What is Edwards' eighth argument for the truth of his statement of doctrine?
(a) Sinners are like defiant children.
(b) Sinners are like a rebellious army.
(c) There are many obstacles to avoid if a person wants to stay out of hell.
(d) There is nothing that sinners can do to keep themselves alive if God wants them dead.

5. In the Doctrine section of his sermon, what does Edwards say can make the soul perfectly miserable?
(a) Righteous believers.
(b) Fear of hell.
(c) Its own sinfulness.
(d) God's power.

Short Answer Questions

1. The expression "The arrows of death fly unseen at noonday" (408), which Edwards uses in the Doctrine section of his sermon, could properly be called an example of which literary technique?

2. In the Doctrine section of his sermon, what does Edwards say is a typical way for sinners to think?

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

4. Which of the following is a key point that Edwards makes as he argues the seventh point in the Doctrine section of the sermon?

5. What proof does Edwards offer that it is not possible to avoid death once God has decided it will happen?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Explain what Edwards is saying, in the Doctrine section of the sermon, about the nature of the souls of sinners when he says "There are in the souls of wicked men those hellish principles reigning, that would presently kindle and flame out into hell fire, if it were not for God's restraints" (408).

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

4. 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)?

5. 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.

6. 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?

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. What reasons does Edwards give, in the Doctrine section of his sermon, for divine justice not stopping God from casting sinners into hell?

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,329 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample