N04004:219
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.
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 Zech. 9. 15, 16. Those that in the latter Days should be filled, in an extraordinary Manner with the Holy Spirit, so as to appear in outward Manifestations, and making a Noise, are spoken of as those that GOD, in these uncommon circumstances, will set up to the View of others, ⟨p. 175⟩as a Prize or Ensign, by their Example and the Excellency of their Attainments, to animate and draw others, as Men gather about an Ensign, and run for a Prize, a Crown and precious Jewels, set up in their View. The Words are; And they shall drink, and make a Noise, as through' Wine; and they shall be filled like Bowls, and as the Corners of the Altar: and the Lord their God shall save them, in that Day, as the Flock of his People; for they shall be as the Stones of a Crown, lifted up as an Ensign upon his Land. (But I shall have Occasion to say something more of this Scripture afterwards.) Those that make the Objection I am upon, instead of suffering this Prize or Ensign to be in public View, are for having it removed, and hid in some Corner. To the like Purpose is that, Isai. 62. 3. Thou shalt be a Crown of Glory, in the Hand of the Lord, and a royal Diadem, in the Hand of thy God.