N03831:169
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.
And another Thing I would beg the dear Children of God more fully to consider of, is; How far, and upon what Grounds, the Rules of the holy Scriptures will truly justify their passing Censures upon others that are professing Christians, as Hypocrites ⟨p. 101⟩and ignorant of any Thing of real Religion. We all know that there is a judging and censuring of some Sort or other, that the Scripture very often, and very strictly forbids. I desire that those Rules of Scripture may be looked into, and thoroughly weighed […] that it may be considered whether or no […] it upon us to discern the State of the Soul of others, and to pass Sentence upon them as wicked Men, that are professing Christians, and of a good visible Conversation, be not really forbidden by Christ in the New Testament: If it be, then doubtless the Disciples of Christ ought to avoid it, however sufficient they may think themselves for it; or however needful, or of good Tendency, they may think it. 'Tis plain that that Sort of Judging is forbidden, that God claims as his Prerogative, whatever that be. We know that there is a certain Judging of the Hearts of the Children of Men, that is often spoken of as the great Prerogative of God, and which belongs only to him; as in 1 Kin. 8. 39. Forgive, and do, and give to every Man according to his Ways, whose Heart thou knowest: for thou, even thou only, knowest the Hearts of all the Children of Men. And if we examine, we shall find that that Judging of Hearts that is spoken of as God's Prerogative, is not only the judging of the Aims and Disposition of Mens Hearts in particular Actions, but chiefly a judging the State of the Hearts of the Professors of Religion, with Regard to that Profession. This will appear very ⟨p. 102⟩manifest, by looking over the following Scriptures; 1 Chron. 28. 9. Psal. 7. 9, 10, 11. Psal. 26. throughout. Prov. 16. 2