N04004:22
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.
Indeed GOD has not taken that Course, nor made Use of those Means, to begin and carry on this great Work, which Men in their Wisdom, would have thought most advisable, if he had ⟨p. 4⟩asked their Counsel; but quite the contrary. But it appears to me that the great GOD has wrought like Himself, in the Manner of his carrying on this Work; so as very much to show his own Glory, and exalt his own Sovereignty, Power and All-sufficiency, and pour Contempt on all that human Strength, Wisdom, Prudence and Sufficiency, that Men have been wont to trust, and to glory in; and so as greatly to cross, rebuke and chastise the Pride and other Corruptions of Men; in a Fulfilment of that Isai. 2. 17. And the Loftiness of Man shall be bowed down, and the Haughtiness of Men shall be made low, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that Day. GOD doth thus, in intermingling in his Providence so many Stumbling-blocks with this Work; in suffering so much of human Weakness and Infirmity to appear; and in ordering so many Things that are mysterious to Men's Wisdom: in pouring out his Spirit chiefly on the common People, and bestowing his greatest and highest Favours upon them, admitting them nearer to himself than the great, the honourable, the rich and the learned, agreeable to that Prophecy, Zech. 12. 7. The LORD also shall save the Tents of Judah first, that the Glory of the House of David, and the Glory of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, do not magnify themselves against Judah. Those that dwelt in the Tents of Judah were the common People, that dwelt in the Country, and were of inferior Rank. The Inhabitants of Jerusalem were their Citizens, their Men of Wealth and Figure: And Jerusalem also was the chief Place of the Habitation ⟨p. 5⟩or Resort of their Priests, and Levites, and their Officers and Judges; there sat the great Sanhedrin. The House of David were the highest Rank of all, the Royal Family, and the great Men that were round about the King.—'Tis evident by the Context, that this Prophecy has Respect to something further than the saving the People out of the Babylonish Captivity.
Indeed GOD has not taken that Course, nor made Use of those Means, to begin and carry on this great Work, which Men in their Wisdom, would have thought most adviseable, if he had