N04004:282
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.
'Tis beautiful for Persons when they are at Prayer as the Mouth of others, to make GOD only their Fear and their Dread, and to be wholly forgetful of Men that are present, who let 'em be great or small, are nothing in the Presence of the great GOD. And 'tis beautiful for a Minister, when he speaks in the Name of the Lord of Hosts, to be bold, and put off all Fear of Men. And 'tis beautiful in private Christians, tho' they are Women and Children, to be bold in professing the Faith of CHRIST, and in the Practice of all Religion, ⟨p. 218⟩and in owning GOD's Hand in the Work of his Power and Grace, without any Fear of Men, tho' they should be reproached as Fools and Madmen, and frowned upon by great Men, and cast off by Parents & all the World. But for private Christians, Women and others, to instruct, rebuke and exhort, with a like Sort of Boldness as becomes a Minister when preaching, is not beautiful.
Some have been bold in some Things that have really been Errors; and have gloried in their Boldness in practising them, tho' cried out of as odd and irregular. And those that have gone the greatest Lengths in these Things, have been by some most highly esteemed, as those that come out, and appear bold for the Lord Jesus Christ, and fully on his Side; and others that have professed to be godly, that have condemned such Things, have been spoken of as Enemies of the Cross of CHRIST, or at least very cold and dead; and many that of themselves, were not inclined to such Practices, have by this Means been driven on, being ashamed to be behind, and accounted poor Soldiers for CHRIST.
Some have been bold in some Things that have really been Errors; and have gloried in their Boldness in practising them, tho' cried out of as odd and irregular. And those that have gone the greatest Lengths in these Things, have been by some most highly esteemed, as those that come out, and appear bold for the Lord Jesus Christ, and fully on his Side; and others that have profess'd to be godly, that have condemned such Things, have been spoken of as Enemies of the Cross of CHRIST, or at least very cold and dead; and many that of themselves, were not inclined to such Practices, have by this Means been driven on, being asham'd to be behind, and accounted poor Soldiers for CHRIST.