N04004:44
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 one particular Kind of Exercise and Concern of Mind, that many have been over-powered by, that has been especially stumbling to some; and that is the deep Concern and Distress that they have been in for the Souls of others. I am sorry that any put us to the Trouble of doing that which seems so needless, as defending such a Thing as this. It seems like mere trifling ⟨p. 21⟩in so plain a Case, to enter into a formal and particular Debate, in order to determine whether there be any thing in the Greatness and Importance of the Case that will answer, and bear a Proportion to the Greatness of the Concern that some have manifested. Men may be allowed, from no higher a Principle than common Ingenuity and Humanity, to be very deeply concerned, and greatly exercised in Mind, at the seeing others in great Danger, of no greater a Calamity than drowning, or being burnt up in an House on Fire. And if so, then doubtless it will be allowed to be equally reasonable, if they saw them in Danger of a Calamity ten Times greater, to be still much more concerned; & so much more still, if the Calamity was still vastly greater. And why then should it be thought unreasonable, and looked upon with a very suspicious Eye, as if it must come from some bad Cause, when Persons are extremely concerned at seeing others in very great Danger of suffering the Fierceness and Wrath of Almighty GOD, to all Eternity? And besides it will doubtless be allowed that those that have very great Degrees of the Spirit of GOD, that is a Spirit of Love, may well be supposed to have vastly more of Love and Compassion to their Fellow-Creatures, than those that are influenced only by common Humanity. Why should it be thought strange that those that are full of the Spirit of CHRIST, should be proportionably, in their Love to Souls, like to CHRIST? who had so strong a Love to them and Concern for them, as to be willing to drink the Dregs of ⟨p. 22⟩the Cup of GOD's Fury for them; and at the same Time that he offered up his Blood for Souls, offered up also, as their High Priest, strong Crying and Tears, with an extreme Agony, wherein the Soul of CHRIST was as it were in Travail for the Souls of the Elect; and therefore in saving them he is said to see of the Travail of his Soul. As such a Spirit of Love to, and Concern for Souls was the Spirit of CHRIST, so it is the Spirit of the Church;
There is one particular Kind of Exercise and Concern of Mind, that many have been over-powered by, that has been especially stumbling to some; and that is the deep Concern and Distress that they have been in for the Souls of others. I am sorry that any put us to the Trouble of doing that which seems so needless, as defending such a Thing as this. It seems like meer trifling