N04004:194
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 the Experience of the present and past Ages abundantly confirms the same. Tho', as I said before, Clearness of Distinction & Illustration, & Strength of Reason, and a good Method, in the doctrinal Handling of the Truths of Religion, is many Ways needful and profitable, and not to be neglected, yet an Increase in speculative Knowledge in Divinity, is not what is so much needed by our People, as something else. Men may abound in this Sort of Light and have no Heat: How much has there been of this Sort of Knowledge, in the Christian World, in this Age? Was there ever an Age, wherein Strength and Penetration of Reason, Extent of Learning, Exactness of Distinction, Correctness of Style, and Clearness of Expression, did so abound? And yet was there ever an Age, wherein there has been so little Sense of the Evil of Sin, so little Love to GOD, heavenly Mindedness, and Holiness of Life, among the Professors of the true Religion? Our People don't so much need to have their Heads stored, as to have their Hearts touched; and they stand in the greatest Need of that Sort of Preaching, that has the greatest Tendency to do this.
and the Experience of the present and past Ages abundently confirms the same. Tho', as I said before, Clearness of Distinction & Illustration, & Strength of Reason, and a good Method, in the doctrinal Handling of the Truths of Religion, is many Ways needful and profitable, and not to be neglected, yet an Increase in speculative Knowledge in Divinity, is not what is so much needed by our People, as something else. Men may abound in this Sort of Light and have no Heat: How much has there been of this Sort of Knowledge, in the Christian World, in this Age? Was there ever an Age, wherein Strength and Penetration of Reason, Extent of Learning, Exactness of Distinction, Correctness of Style, and Clearness of Expression, did so abound? And yet was there ever an Age, wherein there has been so little Sense of the Evil of Sin, so little Love to GOD, heavenly Mindedness, and Holiness of Life, among the Professors of the true Religion? Our People don't so much need to have their Heads stored, as to have their Hearts touched; and they stand in the greatest Need of that Sort of Preaching, that has the greatest Tendency to do this.
Those Texts, Isai, 58. 1. Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy Voice like a Trumpet, and show my People their Transgression, and the House of Jacob their Sins. And