N04757:147
An humble attempt to promote explicit agreement and visible union of God's people in…
An humble attempt to promote explicit agreement and visible union of God's people in extraordinary prayer for the revival of religion and the advancement of Christ's Kingdom on earth, pursuant to Scripture-promises and prophecies concerning the last time. By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Minister of the Gospel at Northampton. ; With a preface by several ministers.
printed for D. Henchman, 1748
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.
it is not unlawful; tho' there be no Institution for it: But yet, to do this as a Thing sacred, indispensable, and binding on Men's Consciences, would be Superstition. If Christians of several neighbouring Congregations, instead of a Lecture, agree on some special Occasion to keep a circular Fast, each Congregation taking it's Turn in a certain Time and Order, fixed on by Consent; or if instead of keeping Fast by Turns, on different Days, one on one Week, and one on another, they should all agree to keep a Fast on the same Day, and to do this either once or frequently, according as they shall judge their own Circumstances, or the Dispensations of divine Providence▪ or the Importance of the Mercy they seek, do require; neither is there any more Superstition in this than the other.
it is not unlawful; tho' there be no Institution for it: But yet, to do this as a Thing sacred, indispensible, and binding on Men's Consciences, would be Superstition. If Christians of several neighbouring Congregations, instead of a Lecture, agree on some special Occasion to keep a circular Fast, each Congregation taking it's Turn in a certain Time and Order, fixed on by Consent; or if instead of keeping Fast by Turns, on different Days, one on one Week, and one on another, they should all agree to keep a Fast on the same Day, and to do this either once or frequently, according as they shall judge their own Circumstances, or the Dispensations of divine Providence▪ or the Importance of the Mercy they seek, do require; neither is there any more Superstition in this than the other.
OBJECT. II. Some may be ready to say, There seems to be something whimsical in it's being insisted on that God's People in different Places should put up their Prayers for this Mercy at the same Time; as tho' their Prayers would be more forcible on that Account; and as if God would not be so likely to bear Prayers offered up by many, tho' they happened not to pray at the same Time, as he would if he heard them all at the same Moment.
OBJECT. II. Some may be ready to say, There seems to be something whimsical in it's being insisted on that God's People in different Places should put up their Prayers for this Mercy at the same Time; as tho' their Prayers would be more forceable on that Account; and as if God would not be so likely to bear Prayers offered up by many, tho' they happened not to pray at the same Time, as he would if he heard them all at the same Moment.