N04004:107
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.
As there is the clearest Evidence, from those Things that have been observed, that this is the Work of GOD, so it is evident that it is a very great and wonderful, and exceeding glorious Work of GOD. This is certain that it is a great and wonderful Event, a strange Revolution, an unexpected, surprising Overturning of Things, suddenly brought to pass; such as never has been seen in New-England, and scarce ever has been heard of in any Land. Who that saw the State of Things in New-England a few Years ago, the State that it was settled in, and the Way that we had been so long going on in, would have thought that in so little a Time there would be such a Change? This is undoubtedly either a very great Work of GOD, or a great Work of the Devil, as to the main Substance of it. For tho' undoubtedly, GOD and the Devil may work together at the same Time, and in the same Land; and when GOD is at work, especially if he be very remarkably at Work, Satan will to his utmost endeavour to intrude, and by intermingling his Work, to darken and hinder GOD's Work; yet GOD and the Devil don't work together in producing the same Event, and in effecting the same Change in the Hearts and Lives of Men: But 'tis apparent that there are some Things wherein the main Substance of this Work consists, a certain Effect that is produced, and Alteration that is made in the Apprehensions, Affections, Dispositions and Behaviour of Men, in which there is a Likeness and Agreement every where: Now this I say, is either a wonderful Work of GOD, or a mighty Work ⟨p. 83⟩of the Devil; and so is either a most happy Event, greatly to be admired and rejoiced in, or a most awful Calamity. Therefore if what has been said before, be sufficient to determine it to be as to the Main, the Work of GOD, then it must be acknowledged to be a very wonderful and glorious Work of GOD.
As there is the clearest Evidence, from those Things that have been observed, that this is the Work of GOD, so it is evident that it is a very great and wonderful, and exceeding glorious Work of GOD. This is certain that it is a great and wonderful Event, a strange Revolution, an unexpected, surprizing Overturning of Things, suddenly brought to pass; such as never has been seen in New-England, and scarce ever has been heard of in any Land. Who that saw the State of Things in New-England a few Years ago, the State that it was settled in, and the Way that we had been so long going on in, would have thought that in so little a Time there would be such a Change? This is undoubtedly either a very great Work of GOD, or a great Work of the Devil, as to the main Substance of it. For tho' undoubtedly, GOD and the Devil may work together at the same Time, and in the same Land; and when GOD is at work, especially if he be very remarkably at Work, Satan will to his utmost endeavour to intrude, and by intermingling his Work, to darken and hinder GOD's Work; yet GOD and the Devil don't work together in producing the same Event, and in effecting the same Change in the Hearts and Lives of Men: But 'tis apparent that there are some Things wherein the main Substance of this Work consists, a certain Effect that is produced, and Alteration that is made in the Apprehensions, Affections, Dispositions and Behaviour of Men, in which there is a Likeness and Agreement every where: Now this I say, is either a wonderful Work of GOD, or a mighty Work