N03467:713
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.
There was scarcely a single Person in the Town, either old or young, that was left unconcerned about the great Things of the eternal World. Those that were wont to be the vainest, and loosest, and those that had been most disposed to think, and speak slightly of vital and experimental Religion, were now generally subject to great awakenings. And the Work of Conversion was carried on in a most astonishing manner, and increased more and more; Souls did as it were come by Flocks to Jesus Christ. From Day to Day, for many Months together, might be seen evident Instances of Sinners brought out of Darkness into marvellous Light, and delivered out of an horrible Pit, and from the miry Clay, and set upon a Rock, with a new Song of Praise to God in their mouths.
This Work of God, as it was carried on, and the Number of true Saints multiplied, soon made a glorious Alteration in the Town; so that in the Spring and Summer following, Anno 173•. the Town seemed to be full of the Presence of God: It never was so full of Love, nor so full of Joy; and yet so full of Distres•, as i• was then. There were remarkable Tokens of God's Presence in almost every House. It was a time of Joy in Families on the account of Salvation's being b•ought unto them; Parents rejoicing over their Children as new born, and Husbands over their Wives, and Wives over their Husbands. The goings of God were then seen in his Sanctuary, God's Day was a delight, and ⟨p. 10⟩his Tabernacles were amiable. Our public Assemblies were then beautiful; the Congregation was alive in God's Service, every one earnestly intent on the Public Worship, every Hearer eager to drink in the Words of the Minister as they came from his Mouth; the Assembly in general were from time to time, in Tears while the Word was preached; some weeping with Sorrow and Distress, others with Joy and Love, others with Pity and Concern for the Souls of their Neighbours.