N04004:34
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.
If we take the Scriptures for our Rule, then the greater and higher are the Exercises of Love to GOD, Delight and Complacence in GOD, Desires and Longings after GOD, Delight in the Children of GOD, Love to Mankind, Brokenness of Heart, Abhorrence of Sin, and Self-abhorrence for Sin; and the Peace of GOD which passeth all Understanding, and Joy in the Holy Ghost, Joy unspeakable and full of Glory; admiring Thoughts of GOD, exulting and glorying in GOD; so much the higher is CHRIST's Religion, or that Virtue which he and his Apostles taught, raised in the Soul.
If we take the Scriptures for our Rule, then the greater and higher are the Exercises of Love to GOD, Delight and Complacence in GOD, Desires and Longings after GOD, Delight in the Children of GOD, Love to Mankind, Brokenness of Heart, Abhorrence of Sin, and Self-abhorrence for Sin; and the Peace of GOD which passeth all Understanding, and Joy in the Holy Ghost, Joy unspeakable and full of Glory; admiring Thoughts of GOD, exulting and glorying in GOD; so much the higher is CHRIST's Religion, or that Vertue which he and his Apostles taught, raised in the Soul.
It is a Stumbling to some that religious Affections should seem to be so powerful, or that they should be so violent (as they express it,) in some ⟨p. 12⟩Persons: They are therefore ready to doubt whether it can be the Spirit of GOD, or whether this Vehemence ben't rather a Sign of the Operation of an evil Spirit. But why should such a Doubt arise from no other Ground than this? What is represented in Scripture, as more powerful in its Effects, than the Spirit of GOD? which is therefore called the Power of the highest, Luk. 1. 35. And its saving Effect in the Soul called the Power of Godliness. So we read of the Demonstration of the Spirit, and of Power, 1 Cor. 2. 4. And it is said to operate in the Minds of Men with the exceeding Greatness of Divine Power, and according to the working of GOD's mighty Power,