N04004:20
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.
I. They have greatly erred in the Way in which they have gone about to try this Work, whether it be a Work of the Spirit of GOD or no, viz. in judging of it a priori; from the Way that it began, the Instruments that have been employed, the Means that have been made Use of, and the Methods that have been taken and succeeded, in carrying it on. Whereas, if we duly consider the Matter, it will evidently appear that such a Work is not to be judged of a priori, but a posteriori: We are to observe the Effect wrought; and if, upon Examination of that, it be found to be agreeable to the Word of GOD, we are bound without more ado to rest in it as GOD's Work; and shall be like to be rebuked for our Arrogance, if we refuse so to do 'till GOD shall explain to us how he has brought this Effect to pass, or why he has made Use of such and such Means in doing of it. Those Texts are enough to cause us with trembling to forbear such a Way of proceeding in judging of a Work of GOD's Spirit, Isai. 40. 13, 14. Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his Counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he Counsel? and who instructed him, and who taught him in the Path of Judgment, and taught him Knowledge, and showed to him the Way of Understanding? Joh. 3. 8. The Wind bloweth where it listeth; and thou hearest the Sound thereof; but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whether it goeth. We hear the sound, we perceive the Effect, and from thence we judge that the Wind does indeed blow; without waiting, before we pass this Judgment, ⟨p. 3⟩first to be satisfied what should be the Cause of the Wind's blowing from such a Part of the Heavens, and how it should come to pass that it should blow in such a Manner, at such a Time. To judge a priori, is a wrong Way of judging of any of the Works of GOD. We are not to resolve that we will first be satisfied how GOD brought this or the other Effect to pass, and why he hath made it thus, or why it has pleased him to take such a Course, and to use such and such Means, before we will acknowledge his Work, and give him the Glory of it. This is too much for the Clay to take upon it with respect to the Potter. GOD gives not Account of his Matters: His Judgments are a great Deep: He hath his Way in the Sea, and his Path in the great Waters, and his Footsteps are not known;