According to the opening paragraph,what keeps sinners from falling to hell?

In his sermon, Edwards makes it clear that the will of God keeps sinners from falling into hell.

The opening paragraph of the sermon argues that divine judgment determines whether an individual reaches heaven or hell.  Edwards points to how "the vengeance of God" played this role with "wicked unbelieving Israelites."  In Edwards's mind, when God feels that human beings have engaged in transgression, his anger determines an individual's fate. In order to receive such works, Edwards argues that humans must endear themselves to the divine. 

The sermon's first paragraph is deliberate in the way it captures the reader's attention.  Edwards contrasts God's wrath with images of "God's wonderful works."  No matter what human beings do, Edwards is emphatic that individuals will "slide" or ascend based on what God decides. In the sermon's opening paragraph, Edwards creates a vision of God that is omnipotent.  He sees and knows all. 

It is the will of God that keeps sinners from entering hell.  The opening of the sermon is blunt in who holds the power in the relationship between people and the divine.  Edwards wants to change the minds of those who believe that they control their fate.  To these people, Edwards directly argues that God's power keeps people from sliding into hell or condemned to it.