N04004:238
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.
it would be such a Revival of Religion, as never was yet, if among so many Men, not guided by infallible Inspiration, there had not been prevailing a pretty many notable Errors in Judgment and Conduct; our young Preachers, and young Converts, must in general vastly exceed Luther, the Head of the Reformation, who was guilty of a great many Excesses, in that great Affair, in which GOD made him the chief Instrument.
If we look back into the History of the Church of GOD in past Ages, we may observe that it has been a common Device of the Devil, to overset a Revival of Religion, when he finds he can keep Men quiet and secure no longer, then to drive 'em to Excesses and Extravagances. He holds them back as long as he can, but when he can do it no longer, then he'll push 'em on, and if possible, run 'em upon their Heads. And it has been by this Means chiefly, that he has been successful, in several Instances, to overthrow most hopeful and promising Beginnings: yea, the principal Means by which the Devil was successful, by Degrees, to overset that grand religious Revival of the World, that was in the primitive Ages of Christianity, and in a Manner, to overthrow the Christian Church through' the Earth, and to make Way for, and bring on the great antichristian Apostasy, that Master-Piece of all the Devil's Work, was to improve the indiscreet Zeal of Christians, to drive them into those three Extremes, of Enthusiasm, Superstition, and Severity ⟨p. 191⟩towards Opposers; which should be enough for an everlasting Warning to the Christian Church.
If we look back into the History of the Church of GOD in past Ages, we may observe that it has been a common Device of the Devil, to overset a Revival of Religion, when he finds he can keep Men quiet and secure no longer, then to drive 'em to Excesses and Extravagances. He holds them back as long as he can, but when he can do it no longer, then he'll push 'em on, and if possible, run 'em upon their Heads. And it has been by this Means chiefly, that he has been successful, in several Instances, to overthrow most hopeful and promising Beginnings: yea, the principal Means by which the Devil was successful, by Degrees, to overset that grand religious Revival of the World, that was in the primitive Ages of Christianity, and in a Manner, to overthrow the Christian Church thro' the Earth, and to make Way for, and bring on the great antichristian Apostacy, that Master-Piece of all the Devil's Work, was to improve the indiscreet Zeal of Christians, to drive them into those three Extremes, of Enthusiasm, Superstition, and Severity