N04004:63
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.
So careful are some Persons lest this Work should be defended, that now they will hardly allow that the Influences of the Spirit of GOD on the Heart, can so much as indirectly, and accidentally, be the Occasion of the Exercise of Corruption, and Commission of Sin.—Thus far is true, That the Influence of the Spirit of GOD in his saving Operations, won't be an Occasion of the Increase of the Corruption of the Heart in general, but on the contrary, of the weakening of it: But yet there is nothing unreasonable in supposing, that at the same Time that it weakens Corruption in general, it may be an Occasion of the turning what is left into a new Channel, and so of there being more of some certain Kinds of the Exercise of Corruption than there was before; as that which tends to hinder and stop the Course of a Stream, if it don't do it wholly, may give a new Course to so much of the Water as gets by the Obstacle. The Influences of the Spirit, for Instance, may be an Occasion of new Ways of the Exercise of Pride, as has been acknowledged by orthodox Divines in general. That spiritual Discoveries and Comforts may, through the Corruption of the Heart, be an Occasion of the Exercises of spiritual Pride, don't use to be doubted of, 'till now it is found to be needful to maintain the War against this Work.
They that will hardly allow that a Work of the Spirit of GOD can be a remote Occasion of any sinful Behaviour or unchristian Conduct, I ⟨p. 36⟩suppose will allow that the truly gracious Influences of the Spirit of GOD, yea and an high Degree of Love to GOD, is consistent with these two Things, viz. A considerable Degree of remaining Corruption, and also many Errors in Judgment in Matters of Religion, and in Matters of Practice. And this is all that need to be allowed, in order to its being most demonstratively evident, that a high Degree of Love to GOD may accidentally move a Person to that which is very wrong, and contrary to the Mind and Will of GOD. For a high Degree of Love to GOD will strongly move a Person to do that which he believes to be agreeable to GOD's Will; and therefore, if he be mistaken, and be persuaded that That is agreeable to the Will of GOD, which indeed is very contrary to it, then his Love will accidentally, but strongly, incline him to that, which is indeed very contrary to the Will of GOD.