N04004:45
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.
and therefore the Church, in desiring and seeking that CHRIST might be brought forth in the World, and in the Souls of Men, is represented, Rev. 12. as a Woman crying, travailing in Birth, and pained to be delivered. The Spirit of those that have been in Distress for the Souls of others, so far as I can discern, seems not to be different from that of the Apostle, who travailed for Souls, and was ready to wish himself accursed from CHRIST for others. And that of the Psalmist, Psal. 119. 53. Horror hath taken hold upon me, because of the Wicked that forsake thy Law. And v. 136. Rivers of Waters run down mine Eyes, because they keep not thy Law. And that of the Prophet Jeremiah, Jer. 4. 19. My Bowels! my Bowels! I am pained at my very Heart! My Heart maketh a Noise in me! I cannot hold my Peace! Because thou hast heard, O my Soul, the Sound of the Trumpet, the Alarm of War! And so Chap. 9. 1. and 13. 17. and 14. 17. and Isa. 22. 4. We read of Mordecai, when he saw his People in Danger of being destroyed with a temporal Destruction, Esth. 4. 1. That he rent his Clothes, and put on Sackcloth with Ashes, ⟨p. 23⟩and went out into the midst of the City, and cried with a loud and bitter Cry. And why then should Persons be thought to be distracted, when they can't forbear crying out, at the Consideration of the Misery of those that are going to eternal Destruction?
3. Another Thing that some make their Rule to judge of this Work by, instead of the Holy Scriptures, is History, or former Observation. Herein they err two Ways; First, If there be any Thing new and extraordinary in the Circumstances of this Work, that was not observed in former Times, that is a Rule with them to reject this Work as not the Work of GOD. Herein they make that their Rule, that GOD has not given them for their Rule; and limit GOD, where he has not limited himself. And this is especially unreasonable in this Case: For whosoever has well weighed the wonderful and mysterious Methods of Divine Wisdom, in carrying on the Work of the New Creation, or in the Progress of the Work of Redemption, from the first Promise of the Seed of the Woman to this Time, may easily observe that it has all along been GOD's Manner to open new Scenes, and to bring forth to View Things new and wonderful, such as Eye had not seen, nor Ear heard, nor entered into the Heart of Man or Angels, to the Astonishment of Heaven and Earth, not only in the Revelations he makes of his Mind and Will, but also in the Works of his Hands. As the old Creation was carried on through six Days, and appeared all complete, settled in a State of