N04004:120
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 such a Time is a Time wherein God eminently sets his King on his holy Hill of Zion, so it is a Time wherein he remarkably fulfils that in Isai. 28. 16. Therefore thus faith the Lord God, behold, I lay in Zion for a Foundation, a Stone, a tried Stone, a precious Corner Stone, a sure Foundation. Which the two Apostles Peter and Paul, (1 Pet. 2. 6, 7, 8. and Rom. 9. 33.) join with that Prophecy, Isai. 8. 14, 15. And he shall be for a Sanctuary; but for a Stone of Stumbling, and for a Rock of Offence to both the Houses of Israel, for a Gin and for a Snare to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem: and many among them shall stumble and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and taken. As signifying that both are fulfilled together. Yea both are joined together by the Prophet Isaiah himself; as you may see in the Context of that forementioned, Isai. 28. 16. In Ver. 13. preceding it is said, But the Word of the Lord […] unto them Precept upon Precept, Precept upon Precept; Line upon Line, Line upon Line; here a little and there a little, that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared and taken. And accordingly it always is so, that when Christ is in a peculiar and eminent Manner manifested and magnified, by a glorious Work of God in his Church, as a Foundation and a Sanctuary for some, he is remarkably a Stone of Stumbling and a Rock of Offence, a Gin and a Snare to others. They that continue long to stumble, and be offended and ensnared in their Minds, at such a great & glorious Work of Christ, in God's Account, stumble at Christ, and are offended in him; for the Work is ⟨p. 93⟩that by which he makes Christ manifest, and shows his Glory, and by which he makes the Stone that the Builders refused, to become the Head of the Corner. This shows how dangerous it is to continue always stumbling at such a Work, for ever doubting of it, and forbearing fully to acknowledge it, and give God the Glory of it: Such Persons are in Danger to go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared and taken, and to have Christ a Stone of Stumbling to them, that shall be an Occasion of their Ruin; while he is to others, a Sanctuary, and a sure Foundation.