N04004:38
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 most specious Thing that is alleged against these extraordinary Effects on the Body, is that the Body is impaired and Health wronged; and that it's hard to think that GOD, in the merciful Influences of his Spirit on Men, would wound their Bodies, and impair their Health. But if it were so pretty commonly or in multiplied Instances, (which I don't suppose it is,) that Persons received a lasting Wound to their Health by extraordinary religious Impressions made upon their Minds, yet 'tis too much for us to determine ⟨p. 15⟩that GOD shall never bring an outward Calamity, in bestowing a vastly greater spiritual and eternal Good. Jacob in doing his Duty in wrestling with GOD for the Blessing, and while GOD was striving with him, at the same Time that he received the Blessing from GOD, suffered a great outward Calamity from his Hand; GOD impaired his Body so that he never got over it as long as he lived: He gave him the Blessing, but sent him away halting on his Thigh, and he went lame all his Life after. And yet this is not mentioned as if it were any Diminution of the great Mercy of GOD to him, when GOD blessed him, and he received his Name Israel, because as a Prince he had Power with GOD, and had prevailed.
The most specious Thing that is alledged against these extraordinary Effects on the Body, is that the Body is impaired and Health wronged; and that it's hard to think that GOD, in the merciful Influences of his Spirit on Men, would wound their Bodies, and impair their Health. But if it were so pretty commonly or in multiplied Instances, (which I don't suppose it is,) that Persons received a lafting Wound to their Health by extraordinary religious Impressions made upon their Minds, yet 'tis too much for us to determine ⟨p. 15⟩that GOD shall never bring an outward Calamity, in bestowing a vastly greater spiritual and eternal Good. Jacob in doing his Duty in wrestling with GOD for the Blessing, and while GOD was striving with him, at the same Time that he received the Blessing from GOD, suffer'd a great outward Calamity from his Hand; GOD impaired his Body so that he never got over it as long as he lived: He gave him the Blessing, but sent him away halting on his Thigh, and he went lame all his Life after. And yet this is not mentioned as if it were any Diminution of the great Mercy of GOD to him, when GOD blessed him, and he received his Name Israel, because as a Prince he had Power with GOD, and had prevailed.