N04004:27
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 I can't but think that these Gentlemen labour under great Mistakes, both in their Philosophy and Divinity. 'Tis true, Distinction must be made in the Affections or Passions. There's a great deal of Difference in high and raised Affections, which must be distinguished by the Skill of the ⟨p. 8⟩Observer. Some are much more solid than others. There are many Exercises of the Affections that are very flashy, and little to be depended on; and oftentimes there is a great deal that appertains to them, or rather that is the Effect of them, that has its Seat in animal Nature, and is very much owing to the Constitution and Frame of the Body; and that which sometimes more especially obtains the Name of Passion, is nothing solid or substantial. But it is false Philosophy to suppose this to be the Case with all Exercises of Affection in the Soul, or with all great and high Affections; and false Divinity to suppose that religious Affections don't appertain to the Substance and Essence of Christianity: On the contrary, it seems to me that the very Life and Soul of all true Religion consists in them.
I humbly conceive that the Affections of the Soul are not properly distinguished from the Will, as tho' they were two Faculties in the Soul. All Acts of the Affections of the Soul are in some Sense Acts of the Will, and all Acts of the Will are Acts of the Affections. All Exercises of the Will are in some Degree or other, Exercises of the Soul's Appetition or Aversion; or which is the same Thing, of its Love or Hatred. The Soul wills one Thing rather than another, or chooses one Thing rather than another, no otherwise than as it loves one Thing more than another; but Love and Hatred are Affections of the Soul: and therefore all Acts of the Will are truly Acts of the Affections; tho' ⟨p. 9⟩the Exercises of the Will don't obtain the Name of Passions, unless the Will, either in its Aversion or Opposition, be exercised in a high Degree, or in a vigorous and lively Manner.
I humbly conceive that the Affections of the Soul are not properly distinguished from the Will, as tho' they were two Faculties in the Soul. All Acts of the Affections of the Soul are in some Sense Acts of the Will, and all Acts of the Will are Acts of the Affections. All Exercises of the Will are in some Degree or other, Exercises of the Soul's Appetition or Aversion; or which is the same Thing, of its Love or Hatred. The Soul wills one Thing rather than another, or chuses one Thing rather than another, no otherwise than as it loves one Thing more than another; but Love and Hatred are Affections of the Soul: and therefore all Acts of the Will are truly Acts of the Affections; tho'