N04004:242
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.
The Errors of the Friends of the Work of God, and especially of the great Promoters of it, give vast Advantage to the Enemies of such a Work. Indeed there are many Things that are no Errors, but are only Duties faithfully and thoroughly done, that wound the Minds of such Persons more, and are more cross to 'em, than real Errors: but yet one real Error gives Opposers as much Advantage, and hinders and clogs the Work, as much as […] that are only supposed ones. Real Errors don't […] and gall the Enemies of Religion so much as those Things that are strictly right, […] encourage ⟨p. 192⟩'em more; they give 'em Liberty, and open a Gap for 'em; so that some that before kept their Enmity burning in their own Bowels, and durst not show themselves, will on such an Occasion take Courage, and give themselves Vent, and their Rage will be like that of an Enemy let loose; and those that lay still before, having nothing to say, but what they would be ashamed of, (agreeable to Tit. 2. 8.) when they have such a Weapon put into their Hands, will fight with all Violence. And indeed the Enemies of Religion would not know what to do for Weapons to fight with, were it not for the Errors of the Friends of it; and so must soon fall before them. And besides, in real Errors, Things that are truly disagreeable to the Rules of GOD's Word, we can't expect the divine Protection, and that GOD will appear on our Side, as if our Errors were only supposed ones.
The Errors of the Friends of the Work of God, and especially of the great Promoters of it, give vast Advantage to the Enemies of such a Work. Indeed there are many Things that are no Errors, but are only Duties faithfully and thoroughly done, that wound the Minds of such Persons more, and are more cross to 'em, than real Errors: but yet one real Error gives Opposers as much Advantage, and hinders and clogs the Work, as much as 〈…〉 that are only supposed ones. Real Errors don't 〈…〉 and gaul the Enemies of Religion so much as those Things that are strictly right, 〈…〉 encourage ⟨p. 192⟩'em more; they give 'em Liberty, and open a Gap for 'em; so that some that before kept their Enmity burning in their own Bowels, and durst not show themselves, will on such an Occasion take Courage, and give themselves Vent, and their Rage will be like that of an Enemy let loose; and those that lay still before, having nothing to say, but what they would be ashamed of, (agreeable to