N04004:186
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.
Showing, in many Instances, where in the Subjects, or zealous Promoters of this WORK, have been injuriously blamed.
Shewing, in many Instances, where in the Subjects, or zealous Promoters of this WORK, have been injuriously blamed.
THIS Work that has lately been carried on in the Land, is the Work of GOD, and not the Work of Man. It's beginning has not been of Man's Power or Device, and it's being carried on, depends not on our Strength or Wisdom; but yet GOD expects of all, that they should use their utmost Endeavours to promote it, and that the Hearts of all should be greatly engaged in this Affair, and that we should improve our utmost Strength in it, however vain human Strength is without the Power of GOD; and so he no less requires that we should improve our utmost Care, Wisdom and Prudence, tho' human Wisdom, of it self, be as vain as human Strength. Tho' GOD is wont to carry on such a Work, in such a Manner, as many Ways, to show the Weakness and Vanity of Means and human Endeavours, in themselves; yet at the same Time, he carries it on in such a Manner, as to ⟨p. 148⟩encourage Diligence and Vigilance, in the Use of proper Means and Endeavours, and to punish the Neglect of them. Therefore in our Endeavours to promote this great Work, we ought to use the utmost Caution, Vigilance and Skill, in the Measures we take in order to it. A great Affair should be managed with great Prudence: This is the most important Affair that ever New-England was called to be concerned in. When a People are engaged in War with a powerful and crafty Nation, it concerns them to manage an Affair of such Consequence with the utmost Discretion. Of what vast Importance then must it be, that we should be vigilant and prudent, in the Management of this great War that New-England now has, with so great a Host of such subtle and cruel Enemies, wherein we must either conquer or be conquered, and the Consequence of the Victory, on one Side, will be our eternal Destruction, in both Soul and Body in Hell, and on the other Side, our obtaining the Kingdom of Heaven, and reigning in it in eternal Glory? We had Need always to stand on our Watch, and to be well versed in the Art of War, and not to be ignorant of the Devices of our Enemies, and to take Heed lest by any Means we be beguiled through their Subtlety.