N04004:87
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.
The divine Power of this Work has marvellously appeared in some Instances I have been acquainted with, in supporting and fortifying the Heart under great Trials, such as the Death of […] and extreme Pain of Body; wonderfully ⟨p. 60⟩maintaining the Serenity, Calmness and Joy of the Soul, in an immovable Rest in GOD, and sweet Resignation to him. There also have been Instances of some that have been the Subjects of this Work, that under the blessed Influences of it have, in such a calm, bright and joyful Frame of Mind, been carried through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
The divine Power of this Work has marvellously appeared in some Instances I have been acquainted with, in supporting and fortifying the Heart under great Trials, such as the Death of 〈…〉 and extreme Pain of Body; wonderfully ⟨p. 60⟩maintaining the Serenity, Calmness and Joy of the Soul, in an immoveable Rest in GOD, and sweet Resignation to him. There also have been Instances of some that have been the Subjects of this Work, that under the blessed Influences of it have, in such a calm, bright and joyful Frame of Mind, been carried through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
And now let us consider—; Is it not strange that in a Christian, orthodox Country, and such a Land of Light as this is, there should be many at a Loss whose Work this is, whether the Work of GOD or the Work of the Devil? Is it not a Shame to New-England that such a Work should be much doubted of here? Need we look over the Histories of all past Times, to see if there ben't some Circumstances and external Appearances that attend this Work, that have been formerly found amongst Enthusiasts? Whether the Montanists had not great Transports of Joy, and whether the French Prophets had not Agitations of Body? Blessed be GOD! He don't put us to the Toil of such Inquiries. We need not say, Who shall ascend into Heaven, to bring us down something whereby to judge of this Work? Nor does GOD send us beyond the Seas, nor into past Ages, to obtain a Rule that shall determine and satisfy us. But we have a Rule near at Hand, a sacred Book that GOD himself has put into our Hands, with clear and infallible Marks, sufficient to resolve us in Things of this Nature; which Book I think we must reject, not only in some particular Passages, but in the Substance