N03831:26
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.
One Thing more is worthy Remark; and this is the Uniformity of the Work. By the Accounts I have received in Letters, and Conversation with Ministers and Others who live in different Parts of the Land where this Work is going on, It is the same Work that is carried on in one Place and another: The Method of the Spirit's Operation on the Minds of People is the same; tho' with some Variety of Circumstances as is usual at other Times: And the particular Appearances with which this Work is attended, that have not been so common at other Times, are also much the same. These are indeed objected by many against the Work: But tho' Conversion is the same Work, in the main Strokes of it, wherever it is wrought; yet it seems reasonable to suppose that at an extraordinary Season wherein God is pleased to carry on a Work of his Grace in a more observable and glorious Manner, in a Way which he would have to be taken Notice of by the World; at such a Time, I say, It seems reasonable to suppose, There may be some particular Appearances in the Work of Conversion, which are not common at other Times, when yet there are true Conversions wrought; or some Circumstances ⟨p. xii⟩attending the Work may be carried to an unusual Degree and Height. If it were not thus, the Work of the Lord would not be so much regarded and spoken of; and so God would not have so much, of the Glory of it: nor would the Work it self he like to spread so fast; for God has evidently made Use of Example & Discourse in the carrying of it on.
One Thing more is worthy Remark; and this is the Uniformity of the Work. By the Accounts I have received in Letters, and Conversation with Ministers and Others who live in different Parts of the Land where this Work is going on, It is the same Work that is carried on in one Place and another: The Method of the Spirit's Operation on the Minds of People is the same; tho' with some Variety of Circumstances as is usual at other Times: And the particular Appearances with which this Work is attended, that have not been so common at other Times, are also much the same. These are indeed objected by many against the Work: But tho' Conversion is the same Work, in the main Strokes of it, wherever it is wrought; yet it seems reasonable to suppose that at an extraordinary Season wherein God is pleas'd to carry on a Work of his Grace in a more observable and glorious Manner, in a Way which he would have to be taken Notice of by the World; at such a Time, I say, It seems reasonable to suppose, There may be some particular Appearances in the Work of Conversion, which are not common at other Times, when yet there are true Conversions wrought; or some Circumstances