I wrote this essay as an unsaved person, contrasting Ben Franklin and Jonathan Edwards. So as I read through the works discussed here I had only head knowledge of what they meant. Since 1986 I have had a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for my sins and yours, and who rose from the grave to demonstrate his authority and power over death. As a Christian, I would have written this with a different point of view, so please recognize the spirit in which this essay was first penned.

As a believer, the words in this essay relating to the Lord and the gospel now have much more significance to me. I am so thankful that even before I was saved the Lord was drawing me near and sharing his gospel and truth with me.

May you be blessed in all that you do, and in all that you receive from God.

Wes Sweetser
December 2018