N04004:72
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.
If we look over this Affair, and seriously weigh it in its Circumstances, it will appear a Matter of no great Difficulty to account for the Errors that have been gone into, supposing the Work in general to be from a very great Out-pouring of the Spirit of GOD. It may easily be accounted for, that many have run into great Errors, and into just such Errors as they have. It is known, that some that have been improved as great Instruments to promote this Work, have been very young; and how natural is it for such as are themselves newly 'waked out of Sleep, and brought out of that State of Darkness, Insensibility and spiritual Death, which they had been in ever since they were born; and have a new and wonderful Scene opened to them; and have in View the Reality, the Vastness, and infinite Importance, and Nearness of spiritual & eternal Things; and at the same Time are surprised to see the World asleep about them; and han't the Advantage of Age and Experience, and have had but little Opportunity to study Divinity, or to converse with aged experienced Christians and Divines; I say, how natural is it for such to fall into ⟨p. 44⟩many Errors with Respect to the State of Mankind, with which they are so surprised, and with Respect to the Means, and Methods of their Relief? Is it any Wonder that they han't at once learned how to make all the Allowances that are to be made, and that they don't at once find out that Method of dealing with the World, that is adapted to the mysterious State and Nature of Mankind? Is it any Wonder that they can't at once foresee what the Consequences of Things will be, what Evils are to be guarded against, and what Difficulties are like to arise, that are to be provided for?
If we look over this Affair, and seriously weigh it in its Circumstances, it will appear a Matter of no great Difficulty to account for the Errors that have been gone into, supposing the Work in general to be from a very great Out-pouring of the Spirit of GOD. It may easily be accounted for, that many have run into great Errors, and into just such Errors as they have. It is known, that some that have been improved as great Instruments to promote this Work, have been very young; and how natural is it for such as are themselves newly 'waked out of Sleep, and bro't out of that State of Darkness, Insensibility and spiritual Death, which they had been in ever since they were born; and have a new and wonderful Scene opened to them; and have in View the Reality, the Vastness, and infinite Importance, and Nearness of spiritual & eternal Things; and at the same Time are surprized to see the World asleep about them; and han't the Advantage of Age and Experience, and have had but little Opportunity to study Divinity, or to converse with aged experienced Christians and Divines; I say, how natural is it for such to fall into