N04004:170
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.
When the Tabernacle was erected in the Camp of Israel, and GOD came down from Heaven to dwell in it, the Priests were above all others concerned, and busily employed in the solemn Transactions of that Occasion, Levit. Chap. 8. and 9. And so it was at the Time of the Dedication of the Temple of Solomon, 1 King. Chap. 8. and 2 Chron. Chap. 5. and 6. and 7. which was at ⟨p. 133⟩the Time of the Feast of Tabernacles, at the same Time that the Tabernacle was erected in the Wilderness: And the Levites were primarily, and most immediately concerned in bringing up the Ark into Mount Zion; the Business properly belonged to them, and the Ark was carried upon their Shoulders. 1 Chron. 15. 2. Then David said, None ought to carry the Ark of GOD but the Levites; for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the Ark of GOD, and to minister unto him for ever. And v. 11, 12. And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the Priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Aminadab, and said unto them, Ye are the chief of the Fathers of the Levites; sanctify your selves, both ye, and your Brethren, that you may bring up the Ark of the Lord God of Israel, unto the Place that I have prepared for it. So we have an Account that the Priests led the Way, in rebuilding the Wall of Jerusalem, after the Babylonish Captivity, Neh. 3. at the beginning.
If Ministers preach never so good Doctrine, and are never so painful and laborious in their Work, yet, if at such a Day as this, they show to their People, that they are not well affected to this Work, but are very doubtful and suspicious of it, they will be very likely to do their People a great deal more Hurt than Good: For the very Fame of such a great and extraordinary Work of GOD, if their People were suffered to believe it to be his Work, and the Example of other Towns, together with what Preaching they might hear occasionally, would be likely to have a much greater ⟨p. 134⟩