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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. In the Doctrine section of his sermon, what does Edwards say the Bible recommends be done with the tree with poisoned fruit?

2. When Edwards uses the phrase "natural man," what is he referring to?

3. 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?

4. In the Doctrine section, Edwards speaks of the "multitudes" of God's enemies (406). What is true of these enemies?

5. What is Edwards' third argument for the truth of his statement of doctrine?

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

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

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

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 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?

7. 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?

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

9. 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).

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain how Edwards uses images to create fear in his listener.

Essay Topic 2

The Great Awakening is considered to be the birth of American Evangelical Christianity. Explain what Evangelical Christianity is and discuss how its key tenets can be traced to the Great Awakening.

Essay Topic 3

Choose a poem by Phillis Wheatley (her work is widely available online.) Explain how the poem exemplifies the ideas of the Great Awakening.

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