N04004:326
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.
and therefore the more clear and full Revelation of these Things was reserved for the Time when their Minds should be further enlightened and strengthened by the Out-pouring of the Spirit after his Ascension. Joh. 16. 12, 13. I have yet many Things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now: Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all Truth. And Mark. 4. 33. And with many such Parables spake he the Word unto them, as they were able to bear it.—These Things might be enough to convince any one, that don't think himself wiser than CHRIST and his Apostles, that great Prudence and Caution should he used in introducing Things into the Church of GOD, that are very uncommon, tho' in themselves they may be very excellent, least by our Rashness & imprudent Haste we hinder Religion, much more than we help it.
and therefore the more clear and full Revelation of these Things was reserved for the Time when their Minds should be further enlighten'd and strengthen'd by the Out-pouring of the Spirit after his Ascension. Joh. 16. 12, 13. I have yet many Things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now: Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all Truth. And Mark. 4. 33. And with many such Parables spake he the Word unto them, as they were able to bear it.—These Things might be enough to convince any one, that don't think himself wiser than CHRIST and his Apostles, that great Prudence and Caution should he used in introducing Things into the Church of GOD, that are very uncommon, tho' in themselves they may be very excellent, least by our Rashness & imprudent Haste we hinder Religion, much more than we help it.
Persons that are influenced by an indiscreet Zeal are always in too much Haste; they are impatient of Delays, and therefore are for jumping to the uppermost Step first, before they have taken the preceding Steps; whereby they expose themselves to fall and break their Bones: It is a Thing very taking with them to see the Building rise very high, and all their Endeavour and Strength is employed in advancing the Building in Height, without taking Care withal proportionably to enlarge the Bottom; whereby the whole is in Danger of coming to the Ground; or they are for putting on the Cupola and Pinnacle before they are come to it, or before the lower Parts of the Building are done;