N04004:73
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.
We have long been in a strange Stupor; the Influences of the Spirit of GOD upon the Heart have been but little felt, and the Nature of them but little taught; so that they are in many Respects new to great Numbers of those that have lately fallen under them. And is it any Wonder that they that never before had Experience of the supernatural Influence of the Divine Spirit upon their Souls, and never were instructed in the Nature of these Influences, don't so well know how to distinguish one extraordinary new Impression from another, and so (to themselves insensibly) run into Enthusiasm, taking every strong Impulse or Impression to be divine? How natural is it to suppose, that among the Multitudes of illiterate People (most of which are in their Youth) that find themselves so wonderfully changed, and brought into such new, and before (to them) almost unheard of Circumstances, that many should pass wrong, and very strange Judgments ⟨p. 45⟩of both Persons and Things that are about them; and that now they behold them in such a new Light, they in their Surprise should go further from the Judgment that they were wont to make of them than they ought, & in their great Change of Sentiments, should pass from one Extreme to another? And why should it be thought strange, that those that scarce ever heard of any such Thing as an Out-pouring of the Spirit of GOD before; or if they did, had no Notion of it; don't know how to behave themselves in such a new and strange State of Things? And is it any Wonder that they are ready to hearken to those that have instructed them, that have been the Means of delivering them from such a State of Death and Misery as they were in before, or have a Name for being the happy Instruments of promoting the same Work among others? Is it unaccountable that Persons in these Circumstances are ready to receive every Thing they say, and to drink down Error as well as Truth from them? And why should there be all Indignation and no Compassion towards those that are thus misled?
We have long been in a strange Stupor; the Influences of the Spirit of GOD upon the Heart have been but little felt, and the Nature of them but little tought; so that they are in many Respects new to great Numbers of those that have lately fallen under them. And is it any Wonder that they that never before had Experience of the supernatural Influence of the Divine Spirit upon their Souls, and never were instructed in the Nature of these Influences, don't so well know how to distinguish one extraordinary new Impression from another, and so (to themselves insensibly) run into Enthusiasm, taking every strong Impulse or Impression to be divine? How natural is it to suppose, that among the Multitudes of illiterate People (most of which are in their Youth) that find themselves so wonderfully changed, and brought into such new, and before (to them) almost unheard of Circumstances, that many should pass wrong, and very strange Judgments