SURPRISING WORK OF GOD IN THE CONVERSION OF MASSACHUSETTS, A. D. 1735. ALSO, TH O U G H TS ON THE REVIVAL OF RELIGION IN NEW ENGLAND, 1742, AND THE WAY IN WHICH IT OUGHT TO BE ACKNOW- LEDGED AND PROMOTED. BY JONATHAN EDWARDS, A. M., PASTOR OF THE CHURCII OF CHRIST IN NORTHAMPTON, AFTERWARDS PRESIDENT OF NASSAU HALL COLLEGE, PRINCETON, N. J. WITH INTRODUCTORY REMARKS, AND A FULL GENERAL INDEX, PREPARED BY THE PRESENT EDITOR. NEW YORK: M.L. TIIE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 65176B AST IR LENOX AND L “ Entered, according to act of congress, in the year 1832, by Charles Spalding, in the . clerk's office of the southern district of New York." SLEIGHT AND ROBINSON, PRINTERS. FAITHFUL NARRATIVE of the Surprising Work, &c. Preface by Dr. Watts and Dr. Guyse, Preface by the Boston Ministers, Testimony of Ministers in Hampshire county, Chap. I. Introductory statement, Chap. II. The manner of conversion various, yet bearing a great Chap. III. Of remarkable impressions on the imagination, Chap. IV. The work farther illustrated in particular instances, Part I. Showing that the extraordinary work that has of late been going on in this land, is a glorious work of God, Sect. 1. We should not judge of this work à priori, but by its Sect. 2. We should judge by the rule of scripture, Sect. 3. We should not judge of the whole by a part, Sect. 4. The nature of the work in general, Sect. 5. The nature of the work in a particular instance, Sect. 6. This is a glorious work of God, Part II. Showing the obligations that all are under to acknowledge, rejoice in, and promote this work, and the great danger of Sect. 1. The danger of lying still and keeping long silence respecting Sect. 2. The latter day glory is probably to begin in America, Sect. 3. The danger of not acknowledging, and encouraging, and especially of deriding, this work, Sect. 4. Obligations of rulers, ministers, and all sorts, to promote this 229 231 236 243 248 250 252 257 259 Part III. Showing, in many instances, wherein the subjects, or zealous promoters of this work, have been injuriously blamed, Sect. 1. The objection that ministers address themselves to the affec tions, rather than the understanding, Sect. 2. Ministers blamed for speaking terror to those who are already under great terrors, Sect. 3. The objection of having so frequent meetings, and spending so much time in religion, Sect. 4. Ministers blamed for making much of outcries, faintings, and bodily effects, Sect. 5. Ministers blamed for keeping persons together that are under great affections, Sect. 6. Objection against speaking much, and with great earnest ness, by persons affected, Sect. 7. Some find fault with so much singing in religious meetings, Sect. 8. Many dislike the religious meetings of children, to read and pray together, Part IV. Showing what things are to be corrected or avoided in pro moting this work, or in our behavior under it, Sect. 1. One cause of errors in a great revival, is spiritual pride, Sect. 2. Errors in a revival arising from the adoption of wrong princi ples, has a special advantage, work, 263 270 292 324 343 354 361 371 371 378 383 394 402 RECOMMENDATIONS. . The following recommendations have been politely furnished by gentlemen, whose opinions, we doubt not, are in unison with the body of evangelical clergy in the United States. From the President and Professors at Princeton, N.J. We know of no works on the subject of Revivals of Religion, at once so scriptural, discriminating, and instructive, as those of the late illustrious President EDWARDS. At the present day, when this subject so justly engages a large share of the attention of the religious public, we should be glad if a copy of the volume proposed to be republished by Dunning and Spalding, could be placed in every dwelling in the United States. It exhibits the nature of genuine revivals of religion, the best means of promoting. them, the abuses and dangers to which they are liable, and the duty of guarding against these abuses and dangers, with a degree of spiritual discernment and practical wisdom, which have commanded the approbation of the friends of Zion for the greater part of a century. SAMUEL MILLER, JAMES CARNAHAN. From the President and Professors at New Brunswick, N.İ. Much conversation is had at the present day on the subject of revivals of religion in our country. 'fhat there is a difference of opinion among professing Christians, as to their reality, their nature, and the modes of action to be adopted in promoting and conducting them, is also very apparent. If by a revival of religion we understand that operation of the Spirit of God, which, through the instrumentality of his word, produces conviction, agitation, and conversion, in hitherto careless and impenitent sinners—or excitement, connected with increase of faith, love, zeal, and holy action, in the people of God, whether it be exhibited on a smaller or larger scale-in the case of individuals, families, churches, districts of country, or whole nations—it is strange that the possibility or reality of such a work should be called in question by those who are familiar with their Bibles, are acquainted with church history, or have any correct knowledge whatever either of the ordinary or extraordinary operations of the Holy Spirit upon the souls of men. În such revivals it is true that there is in some instances only a temporary excitement of the passions, without a renewal of the heart, and in others a human co-operation which will neither bear the test of enlightened reason or of the word of God. These circumstances, however, are precisely what (from human weakness, and the artifice of Satan to bring the whole work into disrepute) we have a right to expect. Any judicious publication on revivals, and especially that written many years ago by the pious and discrimi |