Jonathan Edwards' imagery inspires feelings, and visions of the inferno of hell. The sermon frightens the listeners into realizing that "an angry god" holds them above the blazing fire. The imagery inspires fear into the audience and is designed to send the message that they will go to hell if they don't repent their sins and become good people. In this case, imagery is not used to encourage curiosity about the place described, it is meant to warn and drive people away. Jonathan Edwards wishes to convert people, so the only reason for using vivid and smoldering imagery is to frighten people, and keep them scared about hell.
             The figurative language also adds to the foreboding imagery. The figurative language used describes people small and insignificant, and god as omnipotent and angry. The effect of the language places the audience in a state of fear and belief. Usually describing people as loathsome insects would drive them away from a speaker, but Jonathan Edwards' audience keeps listening so they can learn how to save them selves from hell. This is the effect of this language, when said at the right time.
             The language between these two passages varies in that we see two completely different sides of Jonathan Edwards. One passage displays the side of Jonathan which is compassionate and worldly. The other side is his minister side, the side which he exposes to the "sinners" in the church.
             Jonathan Edwards' worldly side experiences emotions like love and admiration. Jonathan loves Sarah Pierrepont because he sees her as a beacon of spiritual strength. This same side also experiences admiration, mostly from the power of god. Jonathan sees lightning and once he was afraid, but now he believes that it is an act of god, so he admires it with all his heart.
             Jonathan Edwards' "other" side is his minister's side. This is the part of his attitude which he uses to frighten p...