N03831:156
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.
III. and last Place, to apply my self to those that are the Friends of this Work, and have been Partakers of it, and are zealous to promote it. Let me earnestly exhort such to give diligent heed to themselves to avoid all Errors & Misconduct, and whatsoever may darken and obscure the Work, and give Occasion to those that stand ready to reproach it. The Apostle was careful to cut off Occasion from those that desired Occasion. The same Apostle exhorts Titus, to maintain that strict Care and Watch over himself, that both his Preaching and Behaviour might be such as could not be condemned; that he that was of the contrary Part might be ashamed, having no evil Thing to say of them, Tit. 2. 7, 8. We had need to be wise as Serpents and harmless as Doves. 'Tis of no small Consequence that we should at this Day behave our selves innocently and prudently. We must expect that the great Enemy of this Work will especially try his utmost with us; and he will especially triumph if ⟨p. 90⟩he can prevail against any of us, in any Thing to blind and mislead us: He knows it will do more to further his Purpose and Interest, than if he prevailed against an hundred others. We had need to watch and pray, for we are but little Children; this roaring Lion is too strong for us, and this old Serpent too subtle for us.
III. and last Place, to apply my self to those that are the Friends of this Work, and have been Partakers of it, and are zealous to promote it. Let me earnestly exhort such to give diligent heed to themselves to avoid all Errors & Misconduct, and whatsoever may darken and obscure the Work, and give Occasion to those that stand ready to reproach it. The Apostle was careful to cut off Occasion from those that desired Occasion. The same Apostle exhorts Titus, to maintain that strict Care and Watch over himself, that both his Preaching and Behaviour might be such as could not be condemned; that he that was of the contrary Part might be ashamed, having no evil Thing to say of them, Tit. 2. 7, 8. We had need to be wise as Serpents and harmless as Doves. 'Tis of no small Consequence that we should at this Day behave our selves innocently and prudently. We must expect that the great Enemy of this Work will especially try his utmost with us; and he will especially triumph if