N04004:68
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.
It surely cannot be wondered at by considerate Persons, that at a Time when Multitudes all over the Land have their Affections greatly moved, that great Numbers should run into many Errors and Mistakes with Respect to their Duty, and consequently into many Acts and Practices that are imprudent and irregular. I question whether there be a Man in New-England, of the strongest Reason and greatest Learning, but what would be put to it to keep Master of himself, thoroughly to weigh his Words, and consider all the Consequences of his Behaviour, so as to behave himself in all Respects prudently, if he were so strongly impressed with a Sense of divine and eternal Things, and his Affections so exceedingly moved, as has been frequent of late among the common ⟨p. 39⟩People.—How little do they consider Human Nature, who look upon it so insuperable a Stumbling-Block, when such Multitudes of all Kinds of Capacities, natural Tempers, Educations, Customs and Manners of Life, are so greatly and variously affected, that Imprudences and Irregularities of Conduct should abound; especially in a State of Things so uncommon, and when the Degree, Extent, Swiftness and Power of the Operation is so very extraordinary, and so new, that there has not been Time and Experience enough to give Birth to Rules for People's Conduct, and so unusual in Times past, that the Writings of Divines don't afford Rules to direct us in such a State of Things?
It surely cannot be wonder'd at by considerate Persons, that at a Time when Multitudes all over the Land have their Affections greatly moved, that great Numbers should run into many Errors and Mistakes with Respect to their Duty, and consequently into many Acts and Practices that are imprudent and irregular. I question whether there be a Man in New-England, of the strongest Reason and greatest Learning, but what would be put to it to keep Master of himself, thoroughly to weigh his Words, and consider all the Consequences of his Behaviour, so as to behave himself in all Respects prudently, if he were so strongly impressed with a Sense of divine and eternal Things, and his Affections so exceedingly moved, as has been frequent of late among the common ⟨p. 39⟩People.—How little do they consider Human Nature, who look upon it so insuperable a Stumbling-Block, when such Multitudes of all Kinds of Capacities, natural Tempers, Educations, Customs and Manners of Life, are so greatly and variously affected, that Imprudences and Irregularities of Conduct should abound; especially in a State of Things so uncommon, and when the Degree, Extent, Swiftness and Power of the Operation is so very extraordinary, and so new, that there has not been Time and Experience enough to give Birth to Rules for People's Conduct, and so unusual in Times past, that the Writings of Divines don't afford Rules to direct us in such a State of Things?