N04004:59
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.
4. I would propose it to be considered, Whether or no, some instead of making the Scriptures their only Rule to judge of this Work, don't make their own Experience the Rule, and reject such and such Things as are now professed ⟨p. 32⟩and experienced, because they never felt 'em themselves. Are there not many, that chiefly on this Ground, have entertained and vented Suspicions, if not peremptory Condemnations of those extreme Terrors, and those great, sudden &extraordinary Discoveries of the glorious Perfections of GOD, and of the Beauty and Love of CHRIST; and such vehement Affections, such high Transports of Love and Joy, such Pity and Distress for the Souls of others, and Exercises of Mind that have such great Effects on Persons Bodies, merely, or chiefly, because they knew nothing about 'em by Experience? Persons are very ready to be suspicious of what they han't felt themselves. 'Tis to be feared many good Men have been guilty of this Error; which yet don't make it the less unreasonable. And perhaps there are some that upon this Ground don't only reject these extraordinary Things, but all such Conviction of Sin, and such Discoveries of the Glory of GOD, and Excellency of CHRIST, and inward Conviction of the Truth of the Gospel, by the immediate Influence of the Spirit of GOD, that are now supposed to be necessary to Salvation.
4. I would propose it to be consider'd, Whether or no, some instead of making the Scriptures their only Rule to judge of this Work, don't make their own Experience the Rule, and reject such and such Things as are now professed ⟨p. 32⟩and experienced, because they never felt 'em themselves. Are there not many, that chiefly on this Ground, have entertained and vented Suspicions, if not peremptory Condemnations of those extreme Terrors, and those great, sudden &extraordinary Discoveries of the glorious Perfections of GOD, and of the Beauty and Love of CHRIST; and such vehement Affections, such high Transports of Love and Joy, such Pity and Distress for the Souls of others, and Exercises of Mind that have such great Effects on Persons Bodies, meerly, or chiefly, because they knew nothing about 'em by Experience? Persons are very ready to be suspicious of what they han't felt themselves. 'Tis to be fear'd many good Men have been guilty of this Error; which yet don't make it the less unreasonable. And perhaps there are some that upon this Ground don't only reject these extraordinary Things, but all such Conviction of Sin, and such Discoveries of the Glory of GOD, and Excellency of CHRIST, and inward Conviction of the Truth of the Gospel, by the immediate Influence of the Spirit of GOD, that are now supposed to be necessary to Salvation.