N04004:306
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.
Besides this most excellent Way of the Spirit of GOD his assisting Ministers in public Performances, which (considered as the Preacher's Privilege) ⟨p. 236⟩far excels Inspiration. There is a common Assistance which natural Men may have in these Days, and which the godly may have intermingled with a gracious Assistance, which is also very different from Inspiration, and that is his assisting natural Principles; as his assisting the natural Apprehension, Reason, Memory, Conscience and natural Affection.
Besides this most excellent Way of the Spirit of GOD his assisting Ministers in publick Performances, which (consider'd as the Preacher's Priviledge) ⟨p. 236⟩far excels Inspiration. There is a common Assistance which natural Men may have in these Days, and which the godly may have intermingled with a gracious Assistance, which is also very different from Inspiration, and that is his assisting natural Principles; as his assisting the natural Apprehension, Reason, Memory, Conscience and natural Affection.
But to return to the Head of Impressions and immediate Revelations; many lay themselves open to a Delusion by expecting Direction from Heaven in this Way, and waiting for it: In such a Case it is easy for Persons to imagine that they have it. They are perhaps at a Loss concerning something, undetermined what they shall do, or what Course they should take in some Affair, and they pray to GOD to direct them, and make known to 'em his Mind and Will; and then, instead of expecting to be directed, by being assisted in Consideration of the Rules of GOD's Word, and their Circumstances, and GOD's Providence, and enabled to look on Things in a true Light, and justly to weigh them, they are waiting for some secret immediate Influence on their Minds, unaccountably swaying their Minds, and turning their Thoughts or Inclinations that Way that GOD would have them go, and are observing their own Minds, to see what arises there, whether some Texts of Scripture don't come into the Mind, or whether some Ideas, or inward Motions and Dispositions don't arise in something of an unaccountable Manner, that they may call a divine Direction. Hereby they are exposed to two Things, First, They lay