N04004:471
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.
GOD seems now, at this very Time, to be waiting for this from us. When GOD is about to bestow some great Blessing on his Church, it is often his Manner, in the first Place, so to order Things in his Providence, as to show his Church their great Need of it, & to bring 'em into Distress for Want of it, and so put 'em upon crying earnestly to him for it. And let us consider GOD's present Dispensations towards his Church in this Land: A glorious Work of his Grace has been begun &carried on; and GOD has, of late, suffered innumerable Difficulties to arise, that do in a great Measure clog and hinder it, and bring many of GOD's dear Children into great Distress; & yet don't wholly forsake the Work of his Hand; there are remarkable Tokens of his Presence still to be seen, here and there; as tho' he was not forward to forsake us, and (if I may so say) as tho' he had a Mind to carry on his Work; but only was waiting for something that he expected in us, as requisite in order to it. And we have a great deal of Reason to think, that one Thing at least is, that we should further acknowledge the Greatness and Necessity of such a Mercy, & our Dependence on GOD for it, in earnest and importunate Prayers to him. And by the many Errors that have been run into, & the Wounds we have thereby given our selves & the Cause that we would promote, and the Mischief & Confusion we have thereby made, GOD has hitherto been remarkably ⟨p. 360⟩showing us our great & universal Dependence on him, & exceeding Need of his Help and Grace: which should engage our Cries to him for it.
GOD seems now, at this very Time, to be waiting for this from us. When GOD is about to bestow some great Blessing on his Church, it is often his Manner, in the first Place, so to order Things in his Providence, as to shew his Church their great Need of it, & to bring 'em into Distress for Want of it, and so put 'em upon crying earnestly to him for it. And let us consider GOD's present Dispensations towards his Church in this Land: A glorious Work of his Grace has been begun &carried on; and GOD has, of late, suffer'd innumerable Difficulties to arise, that do in a great Measure clog and hinder it, and bring many of GOD's dear Children into great Distress; & yet don't wholly forsake the Work of his Hand; there are remarkable Tokens of his Presence still to be seen, here and there; as tho' he was not forward to forsake us, and (if I may so say) as tho' he had a Mind to carry on his Work; but only was waiting for something that he expected in us, as requisite in order to it. And we have a great deal of Reason to think, that one Thing at least is, that we should further acknowledge the Greatness and Necessity of such a Mercy, & our Dependence on GOD for it, in earnest and importunate Prayers to him. And by the many Errors that have been run into, & the Wounds we have thereby given our selves & the Cause that we would promote, and the Mischief & Confusion we have thereby made, GOD has hitherto been remarkably