N04004:23
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.
GOD in this Work has begun at the lower End, and he has made Use of the weak and foolish Things of the World to carry on his Work. The Ministers that have been chiefly improved, some of them have been mere Babes in Age and Standing, and some of them such as have not been so high in Reputation among their Fellows as many others; and GOD has suffered their Infirmities to appear in the Sight of others, so as much to displease them; and at the same Time it has pleased GOD to improve them, and greatly to succeed them, while he has not so succeeded others that are generally reputed vastly their Superiors. Yea, there is Reason to think that it has pleased GOD to make Use of the Infirmities and Sins of some that he has improved and succeeded; as particularly their imprudent and rash Zeal and censorious Spirit, to chastise the Deadness, Negligence, Earthly-mindedness and Vanity, that have been found among Ministers, in the late Times of general Declension and Deadness, wherein wise Virgins and foolish, Ministers and People have sunk into such a deep Sleep. These Things in Ministers of the Gospel, that go forth as the Ambassadors of CHRIST, and have the ⟨p. 6⟩Care of immortal Souls, are extremely abominable to GOD; vastly more hateful in his Sight than all the Imprudence, and intemperate Heats, Wildness and Distraction (as some call it) of these zealous Preachers. A supine Carelessness, and a vain, carnal, worldly Spirit, in a Minister of the Gospel, is the worst Madness and Distraction in the Sight of GOD. GOD may also make Use at this Day, of the unchristian Censoriousness of some Preachers, the more to humble and purify some of his own Children and true Servants, that have been wrongfully censured, to sit them for more eminent Service, and future Honour that he designs them for.
GOD in this Work has begun at the lower End, and he has made Use of the weak and foolish Things of the World to carry on his Work. The Ministers that have been chiefly improved, some of them have been meer Babes in Age and Standing, and some of them such as have not been so high in Reputation among their Fellows as many others; and GOD has suffered their Infirmities to appear in the Sight of others, so as much to displease them; and at the same Time it has pleased GOD to improve them, and greatly to succeed them, while he has not so succeeded others that are generally reputed vastly their Superiours. Yea, there is Reason to think that it has pleased GOD to make Use of the Infirmities and Sins of some that he has improved and succeeded; as particularly their imprudent and rash Zeal and censorious Spirit, to chastize the Deadness, Negligence, Earthly-mindedness and Vanity, that have been found among Ministers, in the late Times of general Declension and Deadness, wherein wise Virgins and foolish, Ministers and People have sunk into such a deep Sleep. These Things in Ministers of the Gospel, that go forth as the Ambassadors of CHRIST, and have the