Humanity's Precarious State
Jonathan Edwards portrays human existence as extremely fragile, constantly teetering on the brink of damnation. He likens sinners to individuals suspended by a 'slender thread' over the abyss of hell, emphasizing that their survival is solely dependent on God's mercy. Edwards states, "There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God." This vivid imagery underscores the utter dependence of humans on divine grace for their continued existence.