N04004:358
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.
For the better understanding of this Matter, we may observe that GOD in the Revelation that he has made of himself to the World by Jesus Christ, has taken Care to give a proportionable Manifestation of two Kinds of Excellencies or Perfections of his Nature, viz. Those that especially tend to possess us with Awe and Reverence, and to search and humble us, and those that tend to win and draw and encourage us: By the one, he appears as an infinitely great, pure, holy and Heart-searching Judge; by the other, as a gentle and gracious Father and a loving Friend: By the one he is a pure, searching & burning Flame; by the other a sweet, refreshing Light. These two Kinds of Attributes are as it were admirably tempered together in the Revelation of the Gospel: There is a proportionable Manifestation of Justice and Mercy, Holiness and Grace, Majesty & Gentleness, Authority and Condescension. GOD hath thus ordered that his diverse Excellencies, as he reveals himself in the Face of JESUS CHRIST, should have a proportionable Manifestation, herein providing for our Necessities; he knew it to be of great Consequence that our Apprehensions of these diverse Perfections ⟨p. 277⟩of his Nature should be duly proportioned one to another; a Defect on the one Hand, viz. Having much of a Discovery of his Love and Grace, without a proportionable Discovery of his awful Majesty, and his holy and searching Purity, would tend to spiritual Pride, carnal Confidence and Presumption; and a Defect on the other Hand, viz. Having much of a Discovery of his holy Majesty, without a proportionable Discovery of his Grace, tends to Unbelief, a sinful Fearfulness and Spirit of Bondage. And therefore herein chiefly consists that Deficiency of Experiences that I am now speaking of: The Revelation GOD has made of himself in his Word, and the Provision made for our spiritual Welfare in the Gospel is perfect, but yet the actual Light and Communications we have, are not perfect, but many Ways exceeding imperfect and maimed. And Experience plainly shows that Christians may have high Experiences in some Respects, and yet their Circumstances may be unhappy in this Regard, that their Experiences and Discoveries are no more general. There is a great Difference among Christians in this Respect, some have much more general Discoveries than others, who are upon many Accounts the most amiable Christians.
For the better understanding of this Matter, we may observe that GOD in the Revelation that he has made of himself to the World by Jesus Christ, has taken Care to give a proportionable Manifestation of two Kinds of Excellencies or Perfections of his Nature, viz. Those that especially tend to possess us with Awe and Reverence, and to search and humble us, and those that tend to win and draw and encourage us: By the one, he appears as an infinitely great, pure, holy and Heart-searching Judge; by the other, as a gentle and gracious Father and a loving Friend: By the one he is a pure, searching & burning Flame; by the other a sweet, refreshing Light. These two Kinds of Attributes are as it were admirably tempered together in the Revelation of the Gospel: There is a proportionable Manifestation of Justice and Mercy, Holiness and Grace, Majesty & Gentleness, Authority and Condescension. GOD hath thus ordered that his diverse Excellencies, as he reveals himself in the Face of JESUS CHRIST, should have a proportionable Manifestation, herein providing for our Necessities; he knew it to be of great Consequence that our Apprehensions of these diverse Perfections