N04004:218
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.
Again, some Ministers have been blamed for keeping Persons together, that have been under great Affections, which have appeared in such extraordinary outward Manifestations. Many think this promotes Confusion, that Persons in such Circumstances do but discompose each others Minds, and disturb the Minds of others; and that therefore 'tis best they should be dispersed, and that when any in a Congregation are strongly seized, […]. ⟨p. 174⟩they can't forbear outward Manifestations of it, they should be removed that others Minds may not be diverted.
Again, some Ministers have been blam'd for keeping Persons together, that have been under great Affections, which have appeared in such extraordinary outward Manifestations. Many think this promotes Confusion, that Persons in such Circumstances do but discompose each others Minds, and disturb the Minds of others; and that therefore 'tis best they should be dispersed, and that when any in a Congregation are strongly seized, 〈…〉. ⟨p. 174⟩they can't forbear outward Manifestations of it, they should be removed that others Minds may not be diverted.
But I can't but think that those that thus object go upon quite wrong Notions of Things: For tho' Persons ought to take Heed that they don't make an Ado without Necessity; for this will be the Way in Time, to have such Appearances lose all their Effect; yet the unavoidable Manifestations of strong religious Affections tend to an happy Influence on the Minds of By-standers, and are found by Experience to have an excellent and durable Effect; and so to contrive and order Things, that others may have Opportunity and Advantage to observe them, has been found to be blessed, as a great Means to promote the Work of GOD; and to prevent their being in the Way of Observation, is to prevent the Effect of that, which God makes use of, as a principal Means of carrying on his Work, at such an extraordinary Time, viz. Example; which is often spoken of in Scripture, as one of the chief Means by which GOD would carry on his Work, in the Time of the Prosperity of Religion in the latter Days: I have mentioned some Texts already to this Purpose, in what I published before, of the Marks of a Work of the true Spirit; but would here mention some others. In