N04004:176
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.
'Tis our wisest and best Way, fully, and without Reluctance, to bow to the great GOD in this Work, and to be entirely resigned to him, with Respect to the Manner in which he carries it on, and the Instruments he is pleased to make Use of, and not to show our selves out of Humour, and sullenly to refuse to acknowledge the Work, in the full Glory of it, because we han't had so great a Hand in promoting it, or han't shared so largely in the Blessings of it, as some others; and not to refuse to give all that Honour, that belongs to others, as Instruments, because they are young, or are upon other Accounts, much inferior to our selves, and many others, and may appear to us very unworthy, that GOD should put so much Honour upon them. When GOD comes to accomplish ⟨p. 139⟩any great Work for his Church, and for the Advancement of the Kingdom of his Son, he always fulfils that Scripture, Isai. 2. 17. And the Loftiness of Man shall be bowed down, and the Haughtiness of Men shall be made low, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that Day. If GOD has a Design of carrying on this Work, every one, whether he be great or small, must either bow to it, or be broken before it: It may be expected that GOD's Hand will be upon every Thing that is high, and stiff, and strong in Opposition, as in Isai. 2. 12, 13, 14, 15. For the Day of the Lord of Hosts, shall be upon every one that is proud & lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up, and he shall be brought low; and upon all the Cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the Oaks of Bashan, and upon all the high Mountains, and upon all the Hills that are lifted up, and upon every high Tower, and upon every fenced Wall.
'Tis our wisest and best Way, fully, and without Reluctance, to bow to the great GOD in this Work, and to be entirely resign'd to him, with Respect to the Manner in which he carries it on, and the Instruments he is pleased to make Use of, and not to shew our selves out of Humour, and sullenly to refuse to acknowledge the Work, in the full Glory of it, because we han't had so great a Hand in promoting it, or han't shared so largely in the Blessings of it, as some others; and not to refuse to give all that Honour, that belongs to others, as Instruments, because they are young, or are upon other Accounts, much inferiour to our selves, and many others, and may appear to us very unworthy, that GOD should put so much Honour upon them. When GOD comes to accomplish