N04004:261
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.
Spiritual Pride is very apt to suspect others; whereas an humble Saint is most jealous of himself, he is so suspicious of nothing in the World as he is of his own Heart. The spiritually proud Person is apt to find Fault with other Saints, that they are low in Grace, and to be much in observing how cold and dead they be, and crying out of them for it, and to be quick to discern and take Notice ⟨p. 203⟩of their Deficiencies: But the eminently humble Christian has so much to do at Home, and sees so much Evil in his own Heart, and is so concerned about it, that he is not apt to be very busy with others Hearts; he complains most of himself, and cries out of his own Coldness and Lowness in Grace, and is apt to esteem others better than himself, and is ready to hope that there is no Body but what has more Love and Thankfulness to GOD than he, and can't bare to think that others should bring forth no more Fruit to GOD's Honour than he. Some that have spiritual Pride mixed with high Discoveries and great Transports of Joy, that dispose 'em in an earnest Manner to talk to others, are apt, in such Frames, to be calling upon other Christians that are about them, and sharply reproving them for their being so cold and lifeless. And there are some others that behave themselves very differently from these, who in their Raptures are over-whelmed with a Sense of their own Vileness; and when they have extraordinary Discoveries of GOD's Glory, are all taken up about their own Sinfulness; and tho' they also are disposed to speak much and very earnestly, yet it is very much in Crying out of themselves, and exhorting Fellow Christians, but in a charitable and humble Manner. Pure Christian Humility disposes a Person to take Notice of every Thing that is in any Respect good in others, and to make the best of it, and to diminish their Failings; but to have his Eye chiefly on those Things that are bad in himself, and to take much Notice of every Thing that aggravates them.
Spiritual Pride is very apt to suspect others; whereas an humble Saint is most jealous of himself, he is so suspicious of nothing in the World as he is of his own Heart. The spiritually proud Person is apt to find Fault with other Saints, that they are low in Grace, and to be much in observing how cold and dead they be, and crying out of them for it, and to be quick to discern and take Notice ⟨p. 203⟩of their Deficiences: But the eminently humble Christian has so much to do at Home, and sees so much Evil in his own Heart, and is so concerned about it, that he is not apt to be very busy with others Hearts; he complains most of himself, and cries out of his own Coldness and Lowness in Grace, and is apt to esteem others better than himself, and is ready to hope that there is no Body but what has more Love and Thankfulness to GOD than he, and can't bare to think that others should bring forth no more Fruit to GOD's Honour than he. Some that have spiritual Pride mix'd with high Discoveries and great Transports of Joy, that dispose 'em in an earnest Manner to talk to others, are apt, in such Frames, to be calling upon other Christians that are about them, and sharply reproving them for their being so cold and lifeless. And there are some others that behave themselves very differently from these, who in their Raptures are over-whelmed with a Sense of their own Vileness; and when they have extraordinary Discoveries of GOD's Glory, are all taken up about their own Sinfulness; and tho' they also are disposed to speak much and very earnestly, yet it is very much in Crying out of themselves, and exhorting Fellow Christians, but in a charitable and humble Manner. Pure Christian Humility disposes a Person to take Notice of every Thing that is in any Respect good in others, and to make the best of it, and to diminish their Failings; but to have his Eye chiefly on those Things that are bad in himself, and to take much Notice of every Thing that aggravates them.