N04004:94
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.
What has been felt in late great Transports is known to be nothing new in Kind, but to be of the same Nature with what was felt formerly, when a little Child of about five or six Years of Age; but only in a vastly higher Degree. These transporting Views and rapturous Affections are not attended with any enthusiastic Disposition, to follow Impulses, or any supposed prophetical ⟨p. 68⟩Revelations; nor have they been observed to be attended with any Appearance of spiritual Pride, but very much of a contrary Disposition, an Increase of a Spirit of Humility and Meekness, and a Disposition in Honour to prefer others: And 'tis worthy to be remarked, that at a Time remarkably distinguished from all others, wherein Discoveries and holy Affections were evidently at the greatest Height that ever happened, the Greatness and Clearness of divine Light being overwhelming, and the Strength and Sweetness of divine Love altogether over-pouring, which began early in the Morning of the holy Sabbath, and lasted for Days together, melting all down in the deepest Humility and Poverty of Spirit, Reverence and Resignation, and the sweetest Meekness, and universal Benevolence; I say, 'tis worthy to be observed, that there were these two Things in a remarkable Manner felt at that Time, viz. a peculiar sensible Aversion to a judging others that were professing Christians of good standing in the visible Church, that they were not converted, or with respect to their Degrees of Grace; or at all intermeddling with that Matter, so much as to determine against and condemn others in the Thought of the Heart; it appearing hateful, as not agreeing with that Lamb-like Humility, Meekness, Gentleness & Charity, which the Soul then, above other Times, saw the Beauty of, and felt a Disposition to. The Disposition that was then felt was, on the contrary, to prefer others to Self, and to hope that they saw more of GOD and loved him better; ⟨p. 69⟩tho' before, under smaller Discoveries, and feebler Exercises of divine Affection, there had been felt a Disposition to censure and condemn others. And another Thing that was felt at that Time, was a very great Sense of the Importance of moral social Duties, and how great a Part of Religion lay in them: There was such a new Sense and Conviction of this, beyond what had been before, that it seemed to be as it were a clear Discovery then made to the Soul:
What has been felt in late great Transports is known to be nothing new in Kind, but to be of the same Nature with what was felt formerly, when a little Child of about five or six Years of Age; but only in a vastly higher Degree. These transporting Views and rapturous Affections are not attended with any enthusiastick Disposition, to follow Impulses, or any supposed prophetical