N04004:103
Some thoughts concerning the present revival of religion in New-England, and the way in…
Some thoughts concerning the present revival of religion in New-England, and the way in which it ought to be acknowledged and promoted, humbly offered to the public, in a treatise on that subject. : In five parts; Part I. Showing that the work that has of late been going on in this land, is a glorious work of God. Part II. Showing the obligations that all are under, to acknowledge [sic], rejoice in and promote this work, and the great danger of the contrary. Part III. Showing in many instances, wherein the subjects, or zealous promoters, of this work have been injuriously blamed. Part IV. Showing what things are to be corrected or avoided, in promoting this work, or in our behaviour under it. Part V. showing positively what ought to be done to promote this work. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the Church of Christ at Northampton. ; [Two lines from Isaiah]Some thoughts concerning the present revival of religion in New-England, and the way in which it ought to be acknowledged and promoted, humbly offered to the publick, in a treatise on that subject. : In five parts; Part I. Shewing that the work that has of late been going on in this land, is a glorious work of God. Part II. Shewing the obligations that all are under, to acknowlege [sic], rejoice in and promote this work, and the great danger of the contrary. Part III. Shewing in many instances, wherein the subjects, or zealous promoters, of this work have been injuriously blamed. Part IV. Shewing what things are to be corrected or avoided, in promoting this work, or in our behaviour under it. Part V. shewing positively what ought to be done to promote this work. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the Church of Christ at Northampton. ; [Two lines from Isaiah]
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland and T. Green, 1742
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.
Now if such Things are Enthusiasm, and the Fruits of a distempered Brain, Let my Brain be evermore possessed of that happy Distemper! If this be Distraction, I pray GOD that the World of Mankind may be all seized with this […] meek, beneficent, beatifical, glorious Distraction. If Agitations of Body were found in the French Prophets, and Ten Thousand Prophets more, 'tis little to their Purpose who bring it as an Objection against such a Work as this, unless their Purpose be to disprove the whole of the Christian Religion. The great Affections and high Transports that others have lately been under, are in general of the same Kind with those in the Instance that has been given, tho' not to so high a Degree, and many of them, not so pure and unmixed, and so well regulated. I have had Opportunity to observe many Instances here and elsewhere; and tho' there are some Instances of great Affections in which there has been a great Mixture of Nature ⟨p. 79⟩with Grace, and in some, a sad degenerating of religious Affections; yet there is that Uniformity observable, that 'tis easy to be seen that in general 'tis the same Spirit from whence the Work in all Parts of the Land has originated. And what Notions have they of Religion, that reject what has been described as not true Religion? What shall we find to answer those Expressions in Scripture, The Peace of GOD that passes all Understanding;—Rejoicing with Joy unspeakable & full of Glory, in believing in and loving an unseen Saviour;—All Joy & Peace in believing;—GOD's shining into our Hearts, to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of GOD, in the Face of Jesus Christ; with open Face, beholding as in a Glass, the Glory of the Lord, and being changed into the same Image, from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord;—Having the Love of GOD shed abroad in our Hearts, by the Holy Ghost given to us;—Having the Spirit of GOD, and of Glory rest upon us;—A being called out of Darkness into marvellous Light; and having the Day-Star arise in our Hearts:—I say, if those Things that have been mentioned, don't answer these Expressions, what else can we find out that does answer them? Those that don't think such Things as these to be the Fruits of the true Spirit, would do well to consider what Kind of Spirit they are waiting and praying for, and what Sort of Fruits they expect he should produce when he comes.
Now if such Things are Enthusiasm, and the Fruits of a distemper'd Brain, Let my Brain be evermore possess'd of that happy Distemper! If this be Distraction, I pray GOD that the World of Mankind may be all seized with this meek, beneficent, beatifical, glorious Distraction. If Agitations of Body were found in the French Prophets, and Ten Thousand Prophets more, 'tis little to their Purpose who bring it as an Objection against such a Work as this, unless their Purpose be to disprove the whole of the Christian Religion. The great Affections and high Transports that others have lately been under, are in general of the same Kind with those in the Instance that has been given, tho' not to so high a Degree, and many of them, not so pure and unmixed, and so well regulated. I have had Opportunity to observe many Instances here and elsewhere; and tho' there are some Instances of great Affections in which there has been a great Mixture of Nature