N04004:278
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.
Yea if we go on in a Way of Bitterness, and high Censuring, it will be the Way to have him rebuke us, and put us to Shame before our Enemies.
Here some may be ready to say, 'Tis not in our own Cause, that we are thus vehement, but it is in the Cause of GOD; and the Apostle directed the primitive Christians to contend earnestly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints. But how was it that the primitive Christians contended ⟨p. 215⟩earnestly for the Faith? They defended the Truth with Arguments, and a holy Conversation; but yet gave their Reasons with Meekness & Fear: They contended earnestly for the Faith, by fighting violently against their own Unbelief, and the Corruptions of their Hearts, yea they resisted unto Blood striving against Sin; but the Blood that was shed in this earnest Strife, was their own Blood, and not the Blood of their Enemies. It was in the Cause of God, that Peter was so fierce, and drew his Sword, and began to smite with it; but Christ bids him put up his Sword again, telling him that they that take the Sword shall perish by the Sword; and while Peter wounds, CHRIST heals. They contend the most violently, and are the greatest Conquerors in a Time of Persecution, who bear it with the greatest Meekness and Patience.
Here some may be ready to say, 'Tis not in our own Cause, that we are thus vehement, but it is in the Cause of GOD; and the Apostle directed the primitive Christians to contend earnestly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints. But how was it that the primitive Christians contended ⟨p. 215⟩earnestly for the Faith? They defended the Truth with Arguments, and a holy Conversation; but yet gave their Reasons with Meekness & Fear: They contended earnestly for the Faith, by fighting violently against their own Unbelief, and the Corruptions of their Hearts, yea they resisted unto Blood striving against Sin; but the Blood that was shed in this earnest Strife, was their own Blood, and not the Blood of their Enemies. It was in the Cause of God, that Peter was so sierce, and drew his Sword, and began to smite with it; but Christ bids him put up his Sword again, telling him that they that take the Sword shall perish by the Sword; and while Peter wounds, CHRIST heals. They contend the most violently, and are the greatest Conquerors in a Time of Persecution, who bear it with the greatest Meekness and Patience.