N04004:456
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.
Zeal and Courage will do much in Persons of but an ordinary Capacity; but especially would they do great Things, if joined with great Abilities. If some great Men, that have appeared in our Nation, had been as eminent in Divinity, as they were in Philosophy, and had engaged in the Christ an Cause, with as much Zeal and Fervour, as some others have done, & with a proportionable Blessing of Heaven, they would have conquered all Christendom, & turned the World upside down. We have many Ministers in the Land that don't want for Abilities, they are Persons of bright Parts and Learning; they should consider how much is expected, and will be required of them, by their Lord & Master, and how much they might do for Christ, and what great Honour, and how glorious a Reward they might receive, if they had in their Hearts an heavenly Warmth, and divine Heat, proportionable to their Light.
Zeal and Courage will do much in Persons of but an ordinary Capacity; but especially would they do great Things, if join'd with great Abilities. If some great Men, that have appear'd in our Nation, had been as eminent in Divinity, as they were in Philosophy, and had engaged in the Christ an Cause, with as much Zeal and Fervour, as some others have done, & with a proportionable Blessing of Heaven, they would have conquered all Christendom, & turn'd the World upside down. We have many Ministers in the Land that don't want for Abilities, they are Persons of bright Parts and Learning; they should consider how much is expected, and will be required of them, by their Lord & Master, and how much they might do for Christ, and what great Honour, and how glorious a Reward they might receive, if they had in their Hearts an heavenly Warmth, and divine Heat, proportionable to their Light.
With Respect to Candidates for the Ministry, I won't undertake particularly to determine, what Kind of Examination or Trial they should pass under, in order to their Admission to that sacred Work: But I think this is evident from the Scripture, that another Sort of Trial, with Regard to their Virtue & Piety, is requisite, than is required in order to Persons being admitted into the visible Church. The Apostle directs, that Hands be laid suddenly on no Man; but that they should first be tried, before they are admitted to the Work of the