N04004:367
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.
The unhappy Person that is the Subject of such Degeneracy of Experiences, for the most Part, is not sensible of his own Calamity; but because he finds himself still violently moved, and greater Heats of Zeal, and more vehement Motions of his animal Spirits, thinks himself fuller of the Spirit of GOD than ever. But indeed it is with him, as the Apostle says of the Galatians, Gal. 3. 3. Having begun in the Spirit, they are made perfect by the Flesh.
By the Mixture there is of common Affection with Love to GOD, the Love of true Christians is liable to degenerate, and to be more and more built on the Foundation of a Supposition of being his high and peculiar Favourites, and less and less on an Apprehension of the Excellency of GOD's Nature, as he is in himself. So the Joy of Christians, by Reason of the Mixture there is with spiritual Joy, is liable to degenerate, and to come to that at last, as to be but little else but Joy in Self, Joy in a Person's own supposed Eminency, and Distinction from others in the Favour of GOD. So Zeal, that at first might be in great Part spiritual, yet through the Mixture there is, in a long Continuance of Opposition and Controversy, may degenerate more and more into human and proud Passion, and may come to Bitterness, and even a ⟨p. 284⟩Degree of Hatred. And so Love to the Brethren may by Degrees come to but little else but Fondness, and Zeal for a Party; yea, through' a Mixture of a natural Love to the opposite Sex, may degenerate more and more, 'till it issues in that which is criminal and gross. And I leave it with those who are better acquainted with Ecclesiastical History, to enquire whether such a Degeneracy of Affections as this, might not be the first Thing that led the Way, and gave Occasion to the Rise of the abominable Notions of some Sects that have arisen, concerning the Community of Women. However that is, yet certainly the mutual Embraces and Kisses of Persons of different Sexes, under the Notion of Christian Love & holy Kisses, are utterly to be disallowed and abominated, as having the most direct Tendency quickly to turn Christian Love into unclean & brutish Lust, which won't be the better, but ten Times the worse, for being christened by the Name of Christian Love. I should also think it advisable, That Meetings of young People, of both Sexes, in the Evening, by themselves, without a Minister, or any elder People amongst them, for religious Exercises, should be avoided: For tho' for the present, while their Minds are greatly solemnized with lively Impressions, & a deep Sense of divine Things, there may appear no ill Consequence; yet we must look to the further End of Things, and guard against future Dangers & Advantages that Satan might gain against us.