N04004:62
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.
The great Weakness of the bigger Part of Mankind, in any Affair that is new and uncommon, appears in not distinguishing, but either approving or condemning all in the Lump. They that highly approve of the Affair in general, can't bear to have any Thing at all found Fault with; and on the other Hand, those that fasten their Eyes upon some Things in the Affair that are amiss, and appear very disagreeable to them, at once reject the whole. Both which Errors oftentimes arise from want of Persons due Acquaintance with themselves. It is rash and unjust when we proceed thus in judging either of a particular Person, or a People, or of such an Affair as the present wonderful Influence on the Minds of the People of this Land. Many if they see any Thing very ill in a particular Person, a Minister or private Professor, will at once brand him as an Hypocrite. And if there be two or three of a People or Society that behave themselves very irregularly, the whole must bear the Blame of it. And if there be a few, tho' it may be not above One in an Hundred, that professed, and had a Show of being the happy Partakers of what are called the saving Benefits of this Work, that prove naught, and give the World just Grounds to suspect 'em, the whole Work must be rejected on their Account; and those in general, that ⟨p. 35⟩make the like Profession must be condemned for their Sakes.
The great Weakness of the bigger Part of Mankind, in any Affair that is new and uncommon, appears in not distinguishing, but either approving or condemning all in the Lump. They that highly approve of the Affair in general, can't bear to have any Thing at all found Fault with; and on the other Hand, those that fasten their Eyes upon some Things in the Affair that are amiss, and appear very disagreeable to them, at once reject the whole. Both which Errors oftentimes arise from want of Persons due Acquaintance with themselves. It is rash and unjust when we proceed thus in judging either of a particular Person, or a People, or of such an Affair as the present wonderful Influence on the Minds of the People of this Land. Many if they see any Thing very ill in a particular Person, a Minister or private Professor, will at once brand him as an Hypocrite. And if there be two or three of a People or Society that behave themselves very irregularly, the whole must bear the Blame of it. And if there be a few, tho' it may be not above One in an Hundred, that professed, and had a Shew of being the happy Partakers of what are called the saving Benefits of this Work, that prove naught, and give the World just Grounds to suspect 'em, the whole Work must be rejected on their Account; and those in general, that