N04004:365
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.
There is commonly, as I observed before, in high Experiences, besides that which is spiritual, a Mixture of three Things, viz. Natural or common Affections and Workings of the Imagination, and a Degree of Self-righteousness or spiritual Pride. Now it often comes to pass, that through Persons not distinguishing the Wheat from the Chaff, and for want of Watchfulness and humble Jealousy of themselves, and laying great Weight on the natural and Imaginary Part, and yielding to it, & indulging of it, that Part grows & increases, ⟨p. 282⟩and the spiritual Part decreases; the Devil sets in, and works in the corrupt Part, and cherishes it to his utmost; 'till at length the Experiences of some Persons, who began well, come to but little else, but violent Motions of carnal Affections, with great Heats of the Imagination, and a great Degree of Enthusiasm, and swelling of spiritual Pride; very much like some Fruits which bud, blossom and kernel well, but afterwards are blasted with an Excess of Moisture; so that tho' the Bulk is monstrously great, yet there is little else in it but what is useless and unwholesome. It appears to me very probable, that many of the Heresies that have arisen, & Sects that have appeared in the Christian World, in one Age and another, with wild enthusiastical Notions and Practices, began at first by this Means, that it was such a Degenerating of Experiences that first gave Rise to 'em, or at least led the Way to 'em.
There is commonly, as I observed before, in high Experiences, besides that which is spiritual, a Mixture of three Things, viz. Natural or common Affections and Workings of the Imagination, and a Degree of Self-righteousness or spiritual Pride. Now it often comes to pass, that through Persons not distinguishing the Wheat from the Chaff, and for want of Watchfulness and humble Jealousy of themselves, and laying great Weight on the natural and Imaginary Part, and yielding to it, & indulging of it, that Part grows & increases, ⟨p. 282⟩and the spiritual Part decreases; the Devil sets in, and works in the corrupt Part, and cherishes it to his utmost; 'till at length the Experiences of some Persons, who began well, come to but little else, but violent Motions of carnal Affections, with great Heats of the Imagination, and a great Degree of Enthusiasm, and swelling of spiritual Pride; very much like some Fruits which bud, blossom and kernel well, but afterwards are blasted with an Excess of Moisture; so that tho' the Bulk is monstrously great, yet there is little else in it but what is useless and unwholsome. It appears to me very probable, that many of the Heresies that have arisen, & Sects that have appeared in the Christian World, in one Age and another, with wild enthusiastical Notions and Practices, began at first by this Means, that it was such a Degenerating of Experiences that first gave Rise to 'em, or at least led the Way to 'em.