N04004:267
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 tho' we read that CHRIST once turned and said unto Peter, on a certain Occasion, get thee behind me Satan; and this may seem like an Instance of Harshness and Severity in reproving Peter; yet I humbly conceive that this is by many taken wrong, and that this is indeed no Instance of CHRIST's Severity in his Treatment of Peter, but on the contrary, of his wonderful Gentleness and Grace, distinguishing between Peter and the Devil in him, not laying the Blame of what Peter ⟨p. 208⟩had then said, or imputing it to him, but to the Devil that influenced him. CHRIST saw the Devil then present, secretly influencing Peter to do the Part of a Tempter to his Master; and therefore CHRIST turned him about to Peter, in whom the Devil then was, and spake to the Devil, and rebuked him. Thus the Grace of CHRIST don't behold Iniquity in his People, imputes not what is amiss in 'em to them, but to Sin that dwells in them, and to Satan that influences them.
But to return,
Spiritual Pride often disposes Persons to Singularity in external Appearance, to affect a singular Way of Speaking, to use a different Sort of Dialect from others, or to be singular in Voice, or Air of Countenance or Behaviour: but he that is an eminently humble Christian, tho' he will be firm to his Duty, however singular he is in it; he'll go in the Way that leads to Heaven alone, tho' all the World forsakes him; yet he delights not in Singularity for Singularity's Sake, he don't affect to set up himself to be viewed and observed as one distinguished, as desiring to be accounted better than others, or despising their Company, or an Union and Conformity to them; but on the contrary is disposed to become all Things to all Men, and to yield to others, and conform to them and please 'em, in every Thing but Sin. Spiritual Pride commonly occasions a certain Stiffness and Inflexibility in Persons, in their own Judgment and their own Ways; whereas the eminently humble Person, tho' he be inflexible in his Duty, and in those Things wherein GOD's Honour is