N04004:404
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.
If there be any Way of Teaching that is peculiar to that Office, then for others to take that upon them, is to invade the Office of a Minister; which doubtless is very sinful, and is often so represented in Scripture. But the great Difficulty is to settle the Bounds, and to tell exactly, how far Lay-men may go, and when they exceed their Limits; which is a Matter of so much Difficulty, that I don't wonder if many in their Zeal have transgressed. The two Ways of Teaching & Exhorting, the one of which ought ordinarily to be left to Ministers, and the other of which may and ought to be practised by the People, may be expressed by those two Names of Preaching, and Exhorting in a Way of Christian Conversation. But then a great deal of Difficulty & Controversy arises to determine what is Preaching, and what is Christian Conversation. However I will humbly offer my Thoughts concerning this Subject of Lay Exhorting, as follows.
If there be any Way of Teaching that is peculiar to that Office, then for others to take that upon them, is to invade the Office of a Minister; which doubtless is very sinful, and is often so represented in Scripture. But the great Difficulty is to settle the Bounds, and to tell exactly, how far Lay-men may go, and when they exceed their Limits; which is a Matter of so much Difficulty, that I don't wonder if many in their Zeal have transgress'd. The two Ways of Teaching & Exhorting, the one of which ought ordinarily to be left to Ministers, and the other of which may and ought to be practised by the People, may be express'd by those two Names of Preaching, and Exhorting in a Way of Christian Conversation. But then a great deal of Difficulty & Controversy arises to determine what is Preaching, and what is Christian Conversation. However I will humbly offer my Thoughts concerning this Subject of LayExhorting, as follows.
1. The common People in exhorting one another ought not to clothe themselves with the like ⟨p. 308⟩Authority with that which is proper for Ministers. There is a certain Authority that Ministers have, and should exercise in teaching, as well as governing the Flock. Teaching is spoken of in Scripture as an Act of Authority,