N04004:295
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.
This Error will defend and support all Errors. As long as a Person has a Notion that he is guided by immediate Direction from Heaven, it makes him incorrigible and impregnable in all his Misconduct: For what signifies it, for poor blind Worms of the Dust, to go to argue with a Man, ⟨p. 227⟩and endeavour to convince him and correct him, that is guided by the immediate Counsels & Commands of the great JEHOVAH?
This great Work of GOD has been exceedingly hindered by this Error; and 'till we have quite taken this Handle out of the Devil's Hands, the Work of GOD will never go on without great Clogs & Hindrances. But Satan will always have a vast Advantage in his Hands against it, and as he has improved it hitherto, so he will do still: And 'tis evident that the Devil knows the vast Advantage he has by it, that makes him exceeding loth to let go his Hold.
'Tis strange what a Disposition there is in many well disposed and religious Persons, to fall in with and hold fast this Notion. 'Tis enough to astonish one that such multiplied, plain Instances of the failing of such supposed Revelations, in the Event, don't open every one's Eyes. I have seen so many Instances of the failing of such Impressions, that would almost furnish an History: I have been acquainted with them when made under all Kinds of Circumstances, and have seen 'em sail in the Event, when made with such Circumstances as have been fairest and brightest, and most promising; as when they have been made upon the Minds of such, as there was all Reason to think were true Saints, yea eminent Saints, and at the very Time when they have had great divine. Discoveries, and have been in the high Exercise of true Communion with GOD, and made with great Strength, and with great Sweetness accompanying, and I have had Reason to think, with ⟨p. 228⟩