N04004:84
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.
And it has been a common Thing that Persons have had such a Sense of their own Sinfulness, that they have thought themselves to be the worst of all, and that none ever was so vile as they: And many seem to have been greatly convinced that they were utterly unworthy of any Mercy at the Hands of GOD, however miserable they were, and tho' they stood in extreme Necessity of Mercy; and that they deserved nothing ⟨p. 56⟩but eternal Burnings: and have been sensible that GOD would be altogether just and righteous in inflicting endless Damnation upon them, at the same Time that they have had an exceeding affecting Sense of the Dreadfulness of such endless Torments, and have apprehended themselves to be greatly in Danger of it. And many have been deeply affected with a Sense of their own Ignorance and Blindness, and exceeding Helplessness, and so of their extreme Need of the divine Pity and Help. And so far as we are worthy to be credited one by another, in what we say, (and Persons of good Understanding and sound Mind, and known and experienced Probity, have a Right to be believed by their Neighbours, when they speak of Things that fall under their Observation and Experience,) Multitudes in New-England have lately been brought to a new and great Conviction of the Truth and Certainty of the Things of the Gospel; to a firm Persuasion that CHRIST JESUS is the Son of GOD, and the great and only Saviour of the World; and that the great Doctrines of the Gospel touching Reconciliation by his Blood, and Acceptance in his Righteousness, and eternal Life and Salvation through him, are Matters of undoubted Truth; together with a most affecting Sense of the Excellency and Sufficiency of this Saviour, and the glorious Wisdom and Grace of GOD shining in this Way of Salvation; and of the Wonders of CHRIST'S dying Love, and the Sincerity of CHRIST in the Invitations of the Gospel, and a consequent Affiance and sweet Rest of Soul in ⟨p. 57⟩CHRIST, as a glorious Saviour, a strong Rock and high Tower, accompanied with an admiring and exalting Apprehension of the Glory of the divine Perfections, GOD's Majesty, Holiness, sovereign Grace, &c.—;with a sensible, strong and sweet Love to GOD, and Delight in him, far surpassing all temporal Delights, or earthly Pleasures;
And it has been a common Thing that Persons have had such a Sense of their own Sinfulness, that they have thought themselves to be the worst of all, and that none ever was so vile as they: And many seem to have been greatly convinced that they were utterly unworthy of any Mercy at the Hands of GOD, however miserable they were, and tho' they stood in extreme Necessity of Mercy; and that they deserved nothing