N03831:78
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.
6. 'Tis no Sign that a Work that is wrought amongst a People is not from the Spirit of God, That many that seem to be the Subjects of it, are guilty of great Imprudences & Irregularities in their Conduct. We are to consider that the End for which God pours out his Spirit, is to make Men holy, and not to make them Politicians. 'Tis no Wonder at all, that in a mixed Multitude of all sorts, wise and unwise, young & old, of weak and strong natural Abilities, that are under strong Impressions of Mind, there are many that behave themselves imprudently. There are but few that know how to conduct them under vehement Affections of any Kind, whether they be of a temporal or spiritual Nature: to do so requires a great deal of Discretion, and strength & steadiness of Mind. A thousand Imprudences won't prove a Work not to be the Work of the Spirit of God; yea if there be not only Imprudences, but many Things prevailing that are irregular, and really contrary to the Rules of God's holy Word. That it should be thus may be well accounted for from the exceeding Weakness of human Nature, together ⟨p. 29⟩with the remaining Darkness and Corruption of those that are yet the Subjects of the saving Influences of God's Spirit, and have a real Zeal for God.
6. 'Tis no Sign that a Work that is wrought amongst a People is not from the Spirit of God, That many that seem to be the Subjects of it, are guilty of great Imprudences & Irregularities in their Conduct. We are to consider that the End for which God pours out his Spirit, is to make Men holy, and not to make them Politicians. 'Tis no Wonder at all, that in a mixt Multitude of all sorts, wise and unwise, young & old, of weak and strong natural Abilities, that are under strong Impressions of Mind, there are many that behave themselves imprudently. There are but few that know how to conduct them under vehement Affections of any Kind, whether they be of a temporal or spiritual Nature: to do so requires a great deal of Discretion, and strength & steadiness of Mind. A thousand Imprudences won't prove a Work not to be the Work of the Spirit of God; yea if there be not only Imprudences, but many Things prevailing that are irregular, and really contrary to the Rules of God's holy Word. That it should be thus may be well accounted for from the exceeding Weakness of human Nature, together ⟨p. 29⟩with the remaining Darkness and Corruption of those that are yet the Subjects of the saving Influences of God's Spirit, and have a real Zeal for God.