N04004:35
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.
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, Eph. 1. 19. So we read of the effectual working of his Power, Eph. 3. 7. And of the Power that worketh in Christians, v. 20. And of the Glorious Power of GOD in the Operations of the Spirit, Col. 1. 11. And of the Work of Faith, its being wrought with Power, 2 Thes. 1. 11. and in 2 Tim. 1. 7. The Spirit of GOD is called the Spirit of Power, and Love, and of a sound Mind. So the Spirit is represented by a mighty Wind, and by Fire, Things most powerful in their Operation.
2. Many are guilty of not taking the holy Scriptures as a sufficient and whole Rule, whereby to judge of this Work, whether it be the Work of GOD, in that they judge by those Things which the Scripture don't give as any Signs or Marks whereby to judge one Way or the other, and therefore do in no wise belong to the Scripture-Rule of judging, viz. The Effects