N04757:159
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.
Nor may we look upon it as an Instance of the peculiar Weakness of the human Nature, that Men are more affected with Things that are considered as present, than those that are distant: But it seems to be a Thing common to finite Minds, and so to all created intelligent Beings. Thus, the Angels in Heaven have peculiar Joy, on Occasion of the Conversion of a Sinner, ⟨p. 98⟩when recent, beyond what they have in that which has been long past. If any therefore shall call it silly and whimsical in any, to value and regard such a Circumstance, in Things of Religion, as their existing at the present Time, so as to be the more affected with 'em for that; must call the Host of Angels in Heaven a parcel of silly and whimsical Beings.
I remember, the Spectator (whom none will call a whimsical Author) somewhere speaking of different Ways of dear Friends mutually expressing their Affection, and maintaining a Kind of Intercourse, in Absence one from another, mentions such an Instance as this, with much Approbation, viz. That two Friends, that were greatly endeared one to another, when about to part, and to be for a considerable Time necessarily absent, that they might have the Comfort of the Enjoyment of daily mutual Expressions of Friendship, in their Absence; agreed that they would, every Day, precisely at such an Hour, retire from all Company an• Business, to pray one for another. Which Agreement they so valued, and so strictly observed, that when the Hour came, scarce any Thing would hinder 'em. And rather than miss the Opportunity, they would suddenly break off Conversation, and abruptly leave Company they were engaged with.—If this be a desirable Way of Intercourse of particular Friends, is it not a desirable and amiable Way of maintaining Intercourse and Fellowship between Brethren in Christ Jesus, and the various Members of the holy Family of God, in different Parts of the World, to come into an Agreement, that they will set apart certain Times, which they will spend with one Accord, in extraordinary Prayer to their heavenly Father, for the Advancement of the Kingdom ⟨p. 99⟩