N03831:13
The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God
The distinguishing marks of a work of the spirit of God. Applied to that uncommon operation that has lately appeared on the minds of many of the people of this land: : with a particular consideration of the extraordinary circumstances with which this work is attended. : A discourse delivered at New-Haven, September 10th 1741. Being the day after the commencement; : and now published at the earnest desire of many ministers and other gentlemen that heard it; : with great enlargements. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the Church of Christ at Northampton. ; With a preface by the Rev. Mr. Cooper of Boston. ; [Three lines from John]
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland and T. Green, 1741
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.
The Mosaic Dispensation, tho' darkened with Types and Figures, yet far exceeded the former: But the Gospel Dispensation so much exceeds in Glory, that it doth eclipse the Glory of the Legal, as the Stars disappear when the Sun ariseth, and goeth forth in his Strength—And the chief Thing that renders the Gospel so glorious is, that it is the Ministration of the SPIRIT. Under the preaching of it the Holy Spirit was to be poured out in more plentiful Measures; not only in miraculous Gifts, as in the first Times of the Gospel; but in his internal saving Operations, accompanying the outward Ministry, to produce numerous Conversions to Christ, and give spiritual Life to Souls that were before dead in Trespasses and Sins, and so prepare them for Life eternal. Thus the Apostle speaks, when he runs a Comparison between the old Testament and the new, the Law of Moses, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ; For the Letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth Life. But if the Ministration of Death, written and engraven in Stones was glorious, so that the Children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the Face of Moses, for the Glory of his Countenance, which Glory was to be done away; how shall not the Ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious?†
The Mosaic Dispensation, tho' darkned with Types and Figures, yet far exceeded the former: But the Gospel Dispensation so much exceeds in Glory, that it doth eclipse the Glory of the Legal, as the Stars disappear when the Sun ariseth, and goeth forth in his Strength—And the chief Thing that renders the Gospel so glorious is, that it is the Ministration of the SPIRIT. Under the preaching of it the Holy Spirit was to be poured out in more plentiful Measures; not only in miraculous Gifts, as in the first Times of the Gospel; but in his internal saving Operations, accompanying the outward Ministry, to produce numerous Conversions to Christ, and give spiritual Life to Souls that were before dead in Trespasses and Sins, and so prepare them for Life eternal. Thus the Apostle speaks, when he runs a Comparison between the old Testament and the new, the Law of Moses, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ; For the Letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth Life. But if the Ministration of Death, written and engraven in Stones was glorious, so that the Children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the Face of Moses, for the Glory of his Countenance, which Glory was to be done away; how shall not the Ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious?†