N04004:222
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.
Concerning which I would say, That I am far from thinking that such a Disposition should be wholly without any Limits or Regulation, (as I shall more particularly show afterwards;) and I believe some have erred, in setting no Bounds, and indulging and encouraging this Disposition without any kind of Restraint or Direction: But yet, it seems to me, that such a Disposition in general, is what both Reason & Scripture will justify. Those that are offended at such Things, as tho' they were unreasonable, are not just: upon Examination it will probably be found, that they have one Rule of reasoning about temporal Things, and another about spiritual Things. They won't at all wonder, if a Person on some very great and affecting Occasion, of extraordinary Danger or great Joy, that eminently and immediately concerns him and others, is disposed to speak much, and with great Earnestness, especially to those to whom he is united, in the Bonds of dear Affection, and great Concern for their Good. And therefore, if they were just, why would not they allow it in spiritual Things? and much more in them, agreeably to the vastly greater Importance, and ⟨p. 177⟩more affecting Nature of spiritual Things, and the Concern which true Religion causes in Mens Minds for the Good of others, and the Disposition it gives and excites to speak GOD's Praises, to show forth his infinite Glory, and talk of all his glorious Perfections and Works?
Concerning which I would say, That I am far from thinking that such a Disposition should be wholly without any Limits or Regulation, (as I shall more particularly shew afterwards;) and I believe some have erred, in setting no Bounds, and indulging and encouraging this Disposition without any kind of Restraint or Direction: But yet, it seems to me, that such a Disposition in general, is what both Reason & Scripture will justify. Those that are offended at such Things, as tho' they were unreasonable, are not just: upon Examination it will probably be found, that they have one Rule of reasoning about temporal Things, and another about spiritual Things. They won't at all wonder, if a Person on some very great and affecting Occasion, of extraordinary Danger or great Joy, that eminently and immediately concerns him and others, is disposed to speak much, and with great Earnestness, especially to those to whom he is united, in the Bonds of dear Affection, and great Concern for their Good. And therefore, if they were just, why would not they allow it in spiritual Things? and much more in them, agreeably to the vastly greater Importance, and