N04004:256
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.
And of all Kinds of Pride, spiritual Pride is upon many Accounts the most hateful; 'tis most like the Devil; 'tis most like the Sin that he committed in an Heaven of Light and Glory, where he was exalted high in divine Knowledge, Honour, Beauty and Happiness. Pride is much more difficultly discerned than any other Corruption, for that Reason, that the Nature of it does very much consist in a Person's having too high a Thought of himself: but no Wonder that he that has too high a Thought of himself, don't know it; for he necessarily thinks that the Opinion he has of himself, is what he has just Grounds for, and therefore not too high; if he thought such an Opinion of himself was without just Grounds, he would therein cease to have it. But of all Kinds of Pride, spiritual Pride is the most hidden, and difficultly discovered; and that for this Reason, Because those that are spiritually proud, their Pride consists, much in an high Conceit of those two Things, viz. ⟨p. 200⟩Their Light, and their Humility; both which are a strong Prejudice against a Discovery of their Pride. Being proud of their Light, that makes 'em not jealous of themselves; he that thinks a clear Light shines around him, is not suspicious of an Enemy lurking near him, unseen: And then being proud of their Humility, that makes 'em least of all jealous of themselves in that Particular, viz. as being under the Prevalence of Pride. There are many Sins of the Heart that are very secret in their Nature, and difficultly discerned. The Psalmist says, Psal. 19. 12. Who can understand his Errors? Cleanse thou me from secret Faults. But spiritual Pride is the most secret of all Sins. The Heart is so deceitful and unsearchable in nothing in the World, as it is in this Matter, and there is no Sin in the World, that Men are so confident in, and so difficultly convinced of: The very Nature of it is to work Self-Confidence, and drive away Self-Diffidence, and Jealousy of any Evil of that Kind. There is no Sin so much like the Devil, as this, for Secrecy and Subtlety, and appearing in a great many Shapes, undiscerned and unsuspected, and appearing as an Angel of Light: It takes Occasion to arise from every Thing; it perverts and abuses every Thing, and even the Exercises of real Grace, and real Humility, as an Occasion to exert it self: It is a Sin that has, as it were many Lives; if you kill it, it will live still;
And of all Kinds of Pride, spiritual Pride is upon many Accounts the most hateful; 'tis most like the Devil; 'tis most like the Sin that he committed in an Heaven of Light and Glory, where he was exalted high in divine Knowledge, Honour, Beauty and Happiness. Pride is much more difficultly discerned than any other Corruption, for that Reason, that the Nature of it does very much consist in a Person's having too high a Thought of himself: but no Wonder that he that has too high a Thought of himself, don't know it; for he necessarily thinks that the Opinion he has of himself, is what he has just Grounds for, and therefore not too high; if he thought such an Opinion of himself was without just Grounds, he would therein cease to have it. But of all Kinds of Pride, spiritual Pride is the most hidden, and difficultly discovered; and that for this Reason, Because those that are spiritually proud, their Pride consists, much in an high Conceit of those two Things, viz.