N04004:193
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.
And not only the Words that are spoken, but the Manner of speaking, is one Thing that has a great Tendency to this. I think an exceeding affectionate Way of Preaching about the great Things of Religion, has in it self no Tendency to beget false Apprehensions of them; but on the contrary a much greater Tendency to beget true Apprehensions of them, than a moderate, dull, indifferent Way of speaking of 'em. An Appearance of Affection and Earnestness, in the Manner of Delivery, if it be very great indeed, yet if it be agreeable to the Nature of the Subject, and ben't beyond a Proportion to its Importance, and Worthiness of ⟨p. 152⟩Affection, and there be no Appearance of its being feigned or forced, has so much the greater Tendency to beget true Ideas or Apprehensions in the Minds of the Hearers, of the Subject spoken of, and so to enlighten the Understanding: And that for this Reason, That such a Way or Manner of speaking of these Things, does in Fact, more truly represent them, than a more cold and indifferent Way of speaking of them. If the Subject be in its own Nature, worthy of very great Affection, then a speaking of it with very great Affection, is most agreeable to the Nature of that Subject, or is the truest Representation of it, and therefore has most of a Tendency to beget true Ideas of it, in the Minds of those, to whom the Representation is made. And I don't think Ministers are to be blamed, for raising the Affections of their Hearers too high, if that which they are affected with, be only that which is worthy of Affection, and their Affections are not raised beyond a Proportion to their Importance, or Worthiness of Affection. I should think my self in the Way of my Duty, to raise the Affections of my Hearers as high as possibly I can, provided that they are affected with nothing but Truth, and with Affections that are not disagreeable to the Nature of what they are affected with. I know it has long been fashionable to despise a very earnest and pathetical Way of Preaching; And they, and they only have been valued as Preachers, that have shown the greatest Extent of Learning, and Strength of Reason, and Correctness of Method and Language: but I humbly conceive it has been for want of Understanding, ⟨p. 153⟩or duly considering human Nature, that such Preaching has been thought to have the greatest Tendency to answer the Ends of Preaching;
And not only the Words that are spoken, but the Manner of speaking, is one Thing that has a great Tendency to this. I think an exceeding affectionate Way of Preaching about the great Things of Religion, has in it self no Tendency to beget false Apprehensions of them; but on the contrary a much greater Tendency to beget true Apprehensions of them, than a moderate, dull, indifferent Way of speaking of 'em. An Appearance of Affection and Earnestness, in the Manner of Delivery, if it be very great indeed, yet if it be agreeable to the Nature of the Subject, and ben't beyond a Proportion to its Importance, and Worthiness of