N04004:199
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 'tis uncertain whether they shall ever obtain Mercy: GOD is under no Obligation to show 'em Mercy, nor will he be, if they fast and pray and cry never so much; and they are then ⟨p. 158⟩especially provoking GOD, under those Terrors, that they stand it out against CHRIST, and won't accept of an offered SAVIOUR, tho' they see so much Need of him: And seeing this is the Truth, they should be told so, that they may be sensible what their Case indeed is.
and 'tis uncertain whether they shall ever obtain Mercy: GOD is under no Obligation to shew 'em Mercy, nor will he be, if they fast and pray and cry never so much; and they are then ⟨p. 158⟩especially provoking GOD, under those Terrors, that they stand it out against CHRIST, and won't accept of an offered SAVIOUR, tho' they see so much Need of him: And seeing this is the Truth, they should be told so, that they may be sensible what their Case indeed is.
To blame a Minister, for thus declaring the Truth to those who are under Awakenings, and not immediately administering Comfort to them, is like blaming a Surgeon, because when he has begun to thrust in his Lance, whereby he has already put his Patient to great Pain, and he shrinks and cries out with Anguish, he is so cruel that he won't stay his Hand, but goes on, to thrust it in further, 'till he comes to the Core of the Wound. Such a compassionate Physician, who as soon as his Patient began to flinch, should withdraw his Hand, and go about immediately to apply a Plaster, to skin over the Wound, and leave the Core untouched, would be one that would heal the Hurt slightly, crying Peace, Peace, when there is no Peace.
To blame a Minister, for thus declaring the Truth to those who are under Awakenings, and not immediately administring Comfort to them, is like blaming a Surgeon, because when he has begun to thrust in his Lance, whereby he has already put his Patient to great Pain, and he shrinks and cries out with Anguish, he is so cruel that he won't stay his Hand, but goes on, to thrust it in further, 'till he comes to the Core of the Wound. Such a compassionate Physician, who as soon as his Patient began to slinch, should withdraw his Hand, and go about immediately to apply a Plaister, to skin over the Wound, and leave the Core untouch'd, would be one that would heal the Hurt slightly, crying Peace, Peace, when there is no Peace.