N04004:237
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.
Many that are zealous for this glorious WORK of GOD, are heartily sick of the great Noise there is in the Country, about Imprudences and Disorders; they have heard it so often from the Mouths of Opposers that they are prejudiced against the Sound; and they look upon it that That which is called a being prudent and regular, which is so much insisted on, is no other than being asleep, or cold and dead in Religion, and that the great Imprudence that is so much cried out of, is only a being alive, and engaged in the Things of GOD: and they are therefore rather confirmed in any Practice, than brought off from it, by the Clamour they hear against it, as imprudent and irregular. ⟨p. 189⟩And to tell the Truth, the Cry of Irregularity and Imprudence has been much more in the Mouths of those that have been Enemies to the Main of the Work than others; for they have watched for the Halting of the Zealous, and eagerly catched at any Thing that has been wrong, and have greatly insisted on it, made the most of it, and magnified it; especially have they watched for Errors in zealous Preachers, that are much in reproving and condemning the Wickedness of the Times: They would therefore do well to consider that Scripture, Isai. 29. 20, 21. The Scorner is consumed, and all that watch for Iniquity are cut off, that make a Man an Offender for a Word, and lay a Snare for him that reproveth in the Gate, and turn aside the Just for a Thing of nought. They han't only too much insisted on, and magnified real Errors, but have very injuriously charged them as guilty, in Things wherein they have been innocent, and have done their Duty. This has so prejudiced the Minds of some, that they have been ready to think that all that has been said about Errors and Imprudences, was injurious and from an ill Spirit; and has confirmed them in it, that there is no such Thing as any prevailing Imprudences; and it has made 'em less cautious and suspicious of themselves, left they should err. Herein the Devil has had an Advantage put into his Hands, and has taken the Advantage; and, doubtless, has been too subtle for some of the true Friends of Religion. That would be a strange Thing indeed, if in so great a Commotion and Revolution, and such a new State of ⟨p. 190⟩Things, wherein so many have been engaged, none have been guilty of any Imprudence;