N04004:281
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.
Another Effect of spiritual Pride is a certain unsuitable and self-confident Boldness before GOD and Men. Thus some in their great Rejoicings before GOD, han't paid a sufficient Regard to that Rule, in Psal. 2. 11. They han't rejoiced with a reverential Trembling, in a proper Sense of the awful Majesty of GOD, and the awful Distance between GOD and them. And there has also been an improper Boldness before Men, that has been encouraged & defended, by a Misapplication of that Scripture, Prov. 29. 25. The Fear of Man bringeth a Snare. As tho' it became all Persons, high and low, Men, Women & Children, in all religious Conversation, wholly to divest themselves of all Manner of Shamefacedness, Modesty or Reverence towards Man; which is a great Error, and quite contrary to Scripture. There is a Fear of Reverence that is due to some Men. Rom. 13. 7. Fear, to whom Fear; Honour, to whom Honour. And there is a Fear of Modesty and Shamefacedness, in Inferiors towards Superiors, that is amiable, and required by Christian Rules. 1 Pet. 3. 2. While they behold your chaste Conversation, coupled with Fear. And 1 Tim. 2. 9. In like Manner also, ⟨p. 217⟩that Women adorn themselves, in modest Apparel, with Shamefacedness and Sobriety. And the Apostle means that this Virtue shall have Place, not only in civil Communication, but also in spiritual Communication, and in our religious Concerns and. Behaviour, as is evident by what follows. Ver. 11, 12. Let the Women learn in Silence, with all Subjection. But I suffer not a Woman to teach, nor to usurp Authority over the Man, but to be in Silence. Not that I would hence infer that Women's Mouths should be shut up from Christian Conversation; but all that I mean from it at this Time is, that Modesty, or Shamefacedness, and Reverence towards Men, ought to have some Place, even in our religious Communication one with another. The same is also evident by 1 Pet. 3. 15. Be ready always to give an Answer, to every Man that asketh you a Reason of the Hope that is in you, with Meekness and Fear. 'Tis well if that very Fear and Shamefacedness, which the Apostle recommends, han't sometimes been condemned, under the Name of a cursed Fear of Man.