N04004:248
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.
In speaking of the Errors that have been, or that we are in Danger of, I would in the
First Place, take Notice of the Causes whence the Errors that attend a great Revival of Religion usually arise; and as I go along, take Notice of some particular Errors that arise from each of those Causes.
Secondly, Observe some Errors, that some have lately gone into, that have been owing to the Influence of several of those Causes conjunctly.
As to the first of these, the Errors that attend a great Revival of Religion, usually arise from these three Things. 1. Undiscerned spiritual Pride. 2. Wrong Principles. 3. Ignorance of Satan's Advantages and Devices.
The first, and the worst Cause of Errors, that prevail in such a State of Things, is spiritual Pride. This is the main Door, by which the Devil comes into the Hearts of those that are zealous for the Advancement of Religion. 'Tis the chief Inlet of Smoke from the bottomless Pit, to darken the Mind, and mislead the Judgment: This is the main Handle by which the Devil has hold of religious Persons, and the chief Source of all the Mischief that he introduces, to clog and hinder a Work of GOD. This Cause of Error is the main