N04004:277
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.
Meekness and Quietness among GOD's People, when opposed & reviled, would be the surest Way to have GOD remarkably to appear for their Defence. 'Tis particularly observed of Moses, on the Occasion of Aaron and Miriam their envying him, & rising up in Opposition against him, that he was very meek, above all Men upon the Face of the Earth, Num. 12. 3. Doubtless because he remarkably showed his Meekness on that Occasion, being wholly silent under the Abuse. And how remarkable is the Account that follows of GOD's being as it were suddenly roused to appear for his Vindication? And what high Honour did he put upon Moses? And how severe were his Rebukes of his Opposers? The Story is very remarkable, and worth every One's observing. Nothing is so effectual to bring GOD down from Heaven in the Defence of his People, as their Patience and Meekness under Sufferings. When CHRIST girds his Sword upon his Thigh, with his Glory and Majesty, and in his Majesty rides prosperously, his right Hand teaching him terrible Things, it is because of Truth & MEEKNESS & Righteousness. Psal. 45. 3, 4. God will cause Judgment to be heard ⟨p. 214⟩from Heaven; the Earth shall fear and be still, and God will arise to Judgment, to save all the MEEK of the Earth. Psal. 76. 8, 9. He will lift up the Meek, and cast the Wicked down to the Ground. Psal. 147. 6, He will reprove with Equity, for the Meek of the Earth, and will smite the Earth with the Rod of his Mouth, and with the Breath of his Lips will be say the Wicked. Isai. 11. 4. The great Commendation that CHRIST gives the Church of Philadelphia, is that, Thou hast kept the Word of my Patience, Rev. 3. 10. And we may see what Reward he promises her, in the preceding Verse, Behold, I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship at thy Feet, and to know that I have loved thee. And thus it is, that we might expect to have CHRIST appear for us, if under all Reproaches we are loaded with, we behaved ourselves with a Lamb-like Meekness and Gentleness; but if our Spirits are raised, and we are vehement and noisy with our Complaints under Colour of Christian Zeal, this will be to take upon us our own Defence, and GOD will leave it with us, to vindicate our Cause as well as we can: