N04004:90
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 have been particularly acquainted with many Persons that have been the Subjects of the high and extraordinary Transports of the present Day; and in the highest Transports of any of the Instances that I have been acquainted with, and where the Affections of Admiration, Love and Joy, so far as another could judge, have been raised to a higher Pitch than in any other Instances I have observed or been informed of, the following Things have been united, viz. a very frequent dwelling, for some considerable Time together, in such Views of the Glory of the divine Perfections, and CHRIST's Excellencies, that the Soul in the mean Time has been as it were perfectly overwhelmed, and swallowed up with Light and Love and a sweet Solace, Rest and Joy of Soul, that was altogether unspeakable; and more than once continuing for five or six Hours together, without any Interruption, in that clear and lively View or Sense of the infinite Beauty and Amiableness of CHRIST's Person, and the heavenly Sweetness of his excellent and transcendent Love; so that (to use the Person's own Expressions) the Soul remained in a kind of heavenly Elysium, and did as it were swim in the Rays of CHRIST's Love, like a little Mote swimming in the Beams of the Sun, or Streams of his Light that come in at a Window; and the Heart was swallowed up in a kind of Glow of CHRIST's Love, coming down from ⟨p. 63⟩CHRIST's Heart in Heaven, as a constant Stream of sweet Light, at the same Time the Soul all flowing out in Love to him; so that there seemed to be a constant flowing and reflowing from Heart to Heart: The Soul dwelt on high, and was lost in GOD, and seemed almost to leave the Body; dwelling in a pure Delight that fed and satisfied the Soul; enjoying Pleasure without the least Sting, or any Interruption; a Sweetness that the Soul was lost in; so that (so far as the Judgment, and Word of a Person of Discretion may be taken, speaking upon the most deliberate Consideration,) what was enjoyed in each single Minute of the whole Space, which was many Hours, was undoubtedly worth more than all the outward Comfort and Pleasure of the whole Life put together; and this without being in any Trance, or being at all deprived of the Exercise of the Bodily Senses: And the like heavenly Delight and unspeakable Joy of Soul, enjoyed from Time to Time, for Years together;
I have been particularly acquainted with many Persons that have been the Subjects of the high and extraordinary Transports of the present Day; and in the highest Transports of any of the Instances that I have been acquainted with, and where the Affections of Admiration, Love and Joy, so far as another could judge, have been raised to a higher Pitch than in any other Instances I have observed or been informed of, the following Things have been united, viz. a very frequent dwelling, for some considerable Time together, in such Views of the Glory of the divine Perfections, and CHRIST's Excellencies, that the Soul in the mean Time has been as it were perfectly overwhelmed, and swallowed up with Light and Love and a sweet Solace, Rest and Joy of Soul, that was altogether unspeakeable; and more than once continuing for five or six Hours together, without any Interruption, in that clear and lively View or Sense of the infinite Beauty and Amiableness of CHRIST's Person, and the heavenly Sweetness of his excellent and transcendent Love; so that (to use the Person's own Expressions) the Soul remained in a kind of heavenly Elysium, and did as it were swim in the Rays of CHRIST's Love, like a little Mote swimming in the Beams of the Sun, or Streams of his Light that come in at a Window; and the Heart was swallowed up in a kind of Glow of CHRIST's Love, coming down from