Thoughts on Revival in Vol I of the Works - Edwards - II - Part I continued

Required readingThoughts on Revival in Volume I of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read the Preface, Sections III and IV of Part I.

My summary.

Today Edwards continues to try and demonstrate that the revival is from God.

In Section III he rebukes those who reject the work in general for the sake of some accidental evil in it.  Part of his argument is bolstered by Biblical examples of human weakness mixed in with revivals of religion.

In Section IV Edwards gives examples of the general good effects of the work, including the change in:

(i) the young people;

(ii) people's general attitude towards the Bible and the Son of God;

(iii) the Indians.

What grabbed me

As usual I enjoyed the descriptions of the revival.  

Including this one:'Multitudes in New England have lately been brought to a new and great conviction of the truth and certainty of the things of the gospel; to a firm persuasion that Christ Jesus is the Son of God, and the great and only Saviour of the world; and that the great doctrines of the gospel touching reconciliation by his blood, and acceptance in his righteousness, and eternal life and salvation through him are matters of undoubted truth. They have had a most affecting sense of the excellency and sufficiency of this Saviour, and the glorious wisdom and grace of God shining in this way of salvation; and of the wonders of Christ's dying love, and the sincerity of Christ in the invitations of the gospel. They have experienced a consequent affiance and sweet rest of soul in Christ, as a glorious Saviour, a strong rock and high tower; accompanied with an admiring and exalted apprehension of the glory of the divine perfections, God's majesty, holiness, sovereign grace, &c.—with a sensible, strong, and sweet love to God, and delight in him, far surpassing all temporal delights, or earthly pleasures; and a rest of soul in him, as a portion and the fountain of all good. And this has been attended with an abhorrence of sin, and self-loathing for it, and earnest longings of soul after more holiness and conformity to God, with a sense of the great need of God's help in order to holiness of life; together they have had a most dear love to all that are supposed to be the children of God, and a love to mankind in general, and a most sensible and tender compassion for the souls of sinners, and earnest desires of the advancement of Christ's kingdom in the world.'

Lord, by your grace, send revival to my heart and to my town!

Next week's reading

Read Sections V and VI of Part I.

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