5
refers to the "visible church, consisting of those that are outwardly, and by profession and
external privileges, the people of God."
There are, Edwards explains, two sorts of sinners. "There are those that are visibly
of Satan's kingdom, that are without the pale of the visible church. . . . And there [are]
the sinners in Zion."
wrath, but his wrath is more especially manifested in Scripture against the latter. The
sinners in Zion will have by far the lowest place in hell. They are exalted nearest to
heaven in this world, and they will be lowest in hell in another world. The same is meant
in the text by `hypocrites' as `sinners in Zion.' Sinners in Zion are all hypocrites, for they
make a profession of the true religion, they attend to God's ordinances and make a show
of being God's worshippers; but all is in hypocrisy."
people who are part of the visible church but are not actually redeemed. They are
hypocrites who live among the true people of God. As such, they are more culpable for
their sin than those who are "visibly of Satan's kingdom" and thus these hypocrites will
face a particularly severe measure of divine wrath.
Surprise of Fearfulness of the Sinners in Zion
The second part of this section addresses how fearfulness will surprise these
sinners in Zion. Edwards emphasizes both the horrifying fear which awaits these
hypocrites at the time of judgment and the suddenness with which it will come. He begins
this section with a pointed rebuke of these hypocrites. They seem not at all concerned
about their destiny, but are going about their daily lives in apparent security.
11
"Sinners in Zion," 268.
12
"Sinners in Zion," 268.
13
"Sinners in Zion," 268.