N04004:254
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.
But then those that are zealous Christians should take heed that this Injuriousness of those that are cold in Religion, don't prove a Snare to them, and the Devil don't take Advantage from it, to blind their Eyes from beholding what there is indeed of this Nature in their Hearts, and make 'em think, because they are charged with Pride wrongfully, and from an ill Spirit, in many Things, that therefore it is so in every Thing. Alas, how much Pride have the best of us in our Hearts! 'Tis the worst Part of the Body of Sin and Death: 'Tis the first Sin that ever entered into the Universe, and the last that is rooted out; 'Tis God's most stubborn Enemy!
But then those that are zealous Christians should take heed that this Injuriousness of those that are cold in Religion, dont prove a Snare to them, and the Devil don't take Advantage from it, to blind their Eyes from beholding what there is indeed of this Nature in their Hearts, and make 'em think, because they are charged with Pride wrongfully, and from an ill Spirit, in many Things, that therefore it is so in every Thing. Alas, how much Pride have the best of us in our Hearts! 'Tis the worst Part of the Body of Sin and Death: 'Tis the first Sin that ever entred into the Universe, and the last that is rooted out; 'Tis God's most stubborn Enemy!
The Corruption of Nature may all be resolved into two Things, Pride and Worldly-mindedness, the Devil and the Beast, or Self and the World. These are the two Pillars of Dagon's Temple, on which the whole House leans. But the former of these is every Way, the worst Part of the Corruption ⟨p. 199⟩of Nature; 'tis the first born Son of the Devil, and his Image in the Heart of Man chiefly consists in it; 'tis the last Thing in a Sinner that is over-born by Conviction, in order to Conversion; and here is the Saints hardest Conflict; 'tis the last Thing that he obtains a good Degree of Conquest over, & Liberty from; 'tis that which most directly militates against God, and is most contrary to the Spirit of the Lamb of God; and 'tis most like the Devil its Father, in a serpentine Deceitfulness and Secrecy; it lies deepest, and is most active, is most ready secretly to mix it self with every Thing.