N04004:89
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.
I suppose there is scarcely a Minister in this Land, but from Sabbath to Sabbath used to pray that GOD would pour out his Spirit, and work a Reformation and Revival of Religion in the Country, and turn us from our Intemperance, Profaneness, Uncleanness, Worldliness and other Sins; and we have kept from Year to Year Days of public Fasting and Prayer to GOD, to acknowledge our Backslidings, and humble our selves for our Sins, and to seek of GOD Forgiveness & Reformation: and now when so great and extensive a Reformation is so suddenly and wonderfully accomplished, in those very Things that we have sought to GOD for, shall we not acknowledge it? Or when we do, do it, with great Coldness, Caution and Reserve, and scarcely take any Notice of it in our public Prayers & Praises, or mention it but slightly and cursorily, and in such a Manner as carries an Appearance as tho' we would contrive to say as little of it as ever we could, and were glad to pass from it? And that because, (although' indeed there be such a Work attended with all these glorious Effects, yet) The Work is attended with a Mixture of Error, Imprudences, Darkness and Sin; because some Persons are carried away with Impressions, and are indiscreet, and too censorious with their Zeal; and because there are high Transports of religious ⟨p. 62⟩Affection; and because of some Effects on Persons Bodies that we don't understand the Reason of?
I suppose there is scarcely a Minister in this Land, but from Sabbath to Sabbath used to pray that GOD would pour out his Spirit, and work a Reformation and Revival of Religion in the Country, and turn us from our Intemperance, Profaneness, Uncleanness, Worldliness and other Sins; and we have kept from Year to Year Days of publick Fasting and Prayer to GOD, to acknowledge our Backslidings, and humble our selves for our Sins, and to seek of GOD Forgiveness & Reformation: and now when so great and extensive a Reformation is so suddenly and wonderfully accomplished, in those very Things that we have sought to GOD for, shall we not acknowledge it? Or when we do, do it, with great Coldness, Caution and Reserve, and scarcely take any Notice of it in our publick Prayers & Praises, or mention it but slightly and cursorily, and in such a Manner as carries an Appearance as tho' we would contrive to say as little of it as ever we could, and were glad to pass from it? And that because, (altho' indeed there be such a Work attended with all these glorious Effects, yet) The Work is attended with a Mixture of Error, Imprudences, Darkness and Sin; because some Persons are carried away with Impressions, and are indiscreet, and too censorious with their Zeal; and because there are high Transports of religious