Narrative of Surprising Conversions in Vol I of the Works - Edwards - I - Preface

Required reading
Narrative of Surprising Conversions in Volume I of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read the Preface.

My summary.

Today we begin a faithful narrative of the surprising work of God in the conversions of many hundred souls, in Northhampton and the neighbouring towns and villages of New Hampshire, New England.

The Preface from Watts and Guyse briefly outline the revival that led to Edwards writing his epistle.

They encourage us to learn from his account and therefore:

(i) give God glory for the revival and pray for more;

(ii) learn much of the way of the Spirit of God in dealing with the souls of men;

(iii) see how easy it will be for our Lord to fulfil his predictions concerning his kingdom;

(iv) observe that the revival did not come from a public calamity;

(v) notice that those converted continue to profess serious religion.

We also hear from Edwards' hand about the collapse of the church building in his town and the mercy of God on that day.

What grabbed me

I appreciated the encouragement to yearn for revival: 'Certainly it becomes us, who profess the religion of Christ, to take notice of such astonishing exercises of his power and mercy, and give him the glory which is due, when he begins to accomplish any of his promises concerning the latter days: and it gives us further encouragement to pray, and wait, and hope for the like display of his power in the midst of us. The hand of God is not shortened that it cannot save, but we have reason to fear that our iniquities, our coldness in religion, and the general carnality of our spirits, have raised a wall of separation between God and us: and we may add, the pride and perverse humour of infidelity, degeneracy, and apostacy from the Christian faith, which have of late years broken out amongst us, seem to have provoked the Spirit of Christ to absent himself much from our nation. "Return, O Lord, and visit thy churches, and revive thine own work in the midst of us.'

Amen!

Next week's reading

Read Section I.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.