N04004:265
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 'tis a grand Mistake to think that we may commonly use concerning one another all such Language as represents the worst of each other, according to strict Truth. 'Tis really true, that every Kind of Sin, & every Degree of it, is devilish and from Hell, and is cursed, hellish, and condemned or damned: And if Persons had a full Sight of their Hearts they would think no Terms too had for them; they would look like Beasts, like Serpents and like Devils to themselves; they would be at a loss for Language to express what they see in themselves, the worst Terms they could think of would seem as it were faint to represent what they see in themselves. But shall a Child ⟨p. 206⟩therefore, from Time to Time, use such Language concerning an excellent & eminently holy Father or Mother, as that the Devil is in them, that they have such and such devilish, cursed Dispositions, that they commit every Day Hundreds of hellish, damned Acts, and that they are cursed Dogs, Hell-Hounds and Devils? And shall the meanest of the People be justified, in commonly using such Language concerning the most excellent Magistrates, or their most eminent Ministers? I hope no Body has gone to this Height: but the same Pretences of Boldness, Plain-heartedness, and declared War against Sin, will as well justify these Things as the Things they are actually made Use of to justify. If we proceed in such a Manner, on such Principles as these, what a Face will be introduced upon the Church of CHRIST, the little beloved Flock of that gentle Shepherd the Lamb of GOD? What a Sound shall we bring into the House of GOD, into the Family of his dear little Children? How far off shall we soon banish that lovely Appearance of Humility, Sweetness, Gentleness, mutual Honour, Benevolence, Complacence, and an Esteem of others above themselves, which ought to clothe the Children of GOD all over? Not but that Christians should watch over one another, and in any wise reprove one another, and be much in it and do it plainly and faithfully; but it don't thence follow that dear Brethren in the Family of GOD, in rebuking one another, should use worse Language than Michael the Arch-angel durst use when rebuking the Devil himself.
But 'tis a grand Mistake to think that we may commonly use concerning one another all such Language as represents the worst of each other, according to strict Truth. 'Tis really true, that every Kind of Sin, & every Degree of it, is devilish and from Hell, and is cursed, hellish, and condemned or damned: And if Persons had a full Sight of their Hearts they would think no Terms too had for them; they would look like Beasts, like Serpents and like Devils to themselves; they would be at a loss for Language to express what they see in themselves, the worst Terms they could think of would seem as it were faint to represent what they see in themselves. But shall a Child