N04004:197
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.
It seems to be foretold, that the Gospel should be especially preached in a loud and earnest Manner, at the Introduction of the prosperous State of Religion, in the latter Days. Isai. 40. 9. O Zion, that bringeth good Tidings, get thee up into the high Mountain! O Jerusalem, that bringeth good Tidings, lift up thy Voice with Strength! lift up, and be not afraid! Say unto the Cities of Judah, Behold your God! Isai. 52. 7, 8. How beautiful upon the Mountains, are the Feet of him that bringeth good Tidings!—Thy Watchmen shall lift up the Voice.—Isai. 27. 13 And it shall come to pass, in that Day, that the great Trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish.—And this will be one Way, that the Church of God will cry at that Time, like a travailing Women, ⟨p. 156⟩when CHRIST mystical is going to be brought forth; as Rev. 12. at the Beginning. It will be by Ministers, that are her Mouth: And it will be this Way, that CHRIST will then cry like a travailing Woman, as in Isai. 42. 14. I have long Time holden my Peace: I have been still, and refrained my self; now will I cry, like a travailing Woman. CHRIST cries by his Ministers, and the Church cries by her Officers. And 'tis worthy to be noted, that the Word commonly used in the New-Testament, that we translate preach, properly signifies to proclaim aloud like a Crier.
Another Thing that some Ministers have been greatly blamed for, and I think unjustly, is speaking Terror to them, that are already under great Terrors, instead of comforting them. Indeed, if Ministers in such a Case, go about to terrify Persons with that which is not true, or to affright 'em by representing their Case worse than it is, or in any respect otherwise than it is, they are to be condemned; but if they terrify 'em only by still holding forth more Light to them, and giving them to understand more of the Truth of their Case, they are altogether to be justified. When Sinners Consciences are greatly awakened by the Spirit of GOD, it is by Light imparted to the Conscience, enabling them to see their Case to be, in some Measure, as it is; and if more Light be let in, it will terrify 'em still more: but Ministers are not therefore to be blamed that they endeavour to hold forth more Light to the Conscience, and don't rather alleviate the Pain they are under, by intercepting and obstructing that Light