N04004:297
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 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⟩an excellent heavenly Frame of Spirit, yet continued, and made with Texts of Scripture, that seemed to be exceeding apposite, yea many Texts following one another, extraordinarily and wonderfully brought to the Mind, and with great Power and Majesty, and the Impressions repeated over and over, after Prayers to be directed; and yet all has most manifestly come to nothing, to the full Conviction of the Persons themselves. And GOD has in so many Instances of late in his Providence, covered such Things with Darkness, that one would think it should be enough quite to blank the Expectations of such as have been ready to think highly of such Things; it seems to be a Testimony of GOD, that he has no Design of reviving Revelations in his Church, and a Rebuke from him to the groundless Expectations of it.
'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