N03467:699
Discourses on various important subjects, nearly concerning the great affair of the soul's eternal…
Discourses on various important subjects, nearly concerning the great affair of the soul's eternal salvation, viz. I. Justification by faith alone. II. Pressing into the Kingdom of God. III. Ruth's resolution. IV. The justice of God in the damnation of sinners. V. The excellency of Jesus Christ. : Delivered at Northampton, chiefly at the time of the late wonderful pouring out of the spirit of God there. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the Church of Christ in Northampton. ; [Three lines from Deuteronomy]
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland and T. Green, 1738
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
We being much separated from other Parts of the Province, and having comparatively but little Intercourse with them, have from the beginning, till now, always managed our ecclesiastical Affairs within our selves: 'tis the way in which the County, from its Infancy, has gone on, by the practical Agreement of all, and the way in which our Peace and good Order has hither to been maintained.
The Town of Northampton is of about 82 Years standing, and has now about 200 Families; which mostly dwell more compactly together than any Town of such a Bigness in these Parts of the Country; which probably has been an Occasion that both our Corruptions, and Reformations have been, from ⟨p. 3⟩time to time, the more swiftly propagated, from one to another, through the Town. Take the Town is general, and so far as I can judge, they are as Rational and Understanding a People as most I have been acquainted with: Many of them have been noted for Religion, and particularly, have been remarkable for their distinct Knowledge in things that relate to Heart Religion, and Christian Experience, and their great Regards thereto.
I am the third Minister that has been settled in the Town: the Rev. Mr. Eleazer Mather, who was the first, was ordained in July, 1669. He was one whose Heart was much in his Work, abundant in Labours for the good of precious Souls; he had the high Esteem and great Love of his People, and was blessed with no small Success. The Rev. Mr. Stoddard, who succeeded him, came first to the Town the November after his Death, but was not ordained till September 11. 1672, and died Feb. 11. 1728. 9. So that he continued in the Work of the Ministry here, from his first coming to Town, near 60 Years. And as he was eminent and renowned for his Gifts and Grace; so he was blessed, from the beginning, with extraordinary Success in his Ministry, in the Conversion of many Souls. He had five Harvests, as he called them: The first was about 57 Years ago; the second about 53 Years; the third about 40; the fourth about 24; the fifth and last about 18 Years ago. Some of these Times were much more remarkable than others, and the ingathering of Souls more plentiful. Those that were about 53, and 40, and 24 Years ago, were much greater than either the first or the last: but in each of them, I have heard my Grandfather say, the bigger Part of the young People in the Town, seemed to be mainly concerned for their eternal Salvation.