Tommy has a long history of stealing, armed robbery, physical violence, and lying and cheating to get out of trouble. today, the general consensus among researchers and clinicians who deal with problems such as tommy's is that:

Answer is: it is important to focus on early intervention in childhood, rather than in adulthood, because there is small chance that treatment can be successful in later life.
It is important to recognize and help children who have problem with stealing, robbery and physical violence right at the begining of the problem.

:what is edwards's purpose for giving this sermon? which elements likely make the argument effective for a puritan audience?