Thoughts on Revival in Vol I of the Works - Edwards - X - Part V commenced

Required reading
Thoughts on Revival in Volume I of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Part V by reading Sections I and II.

My summary.

Now we begin a new section in which Edwards encourages positive promotion of the work of revival.

Firstly, Edwards exhorts both sides to confess their faults.  Those who have opposed revival should consider the seriousness of opposing a work of God.  And those who have been zealous for the work should consider if they have injured others or greatly violated good order.

Secondly Edwards suggests that everyone should see to it that he be a partaker of the benefits of the work himself and that it be promoted in his own soul.  Edwards gives specific directions for:

(i) Arminians;

(ii) those advanced in years;

(iii) ministers;

(iv) candidates for the ministry;

(v) colleges;

(vi) laymen, particularly rich laymen.

What grabbed me

I enjoyed the exhortation to ministers: 'But above all others does it concern us who are ministers, to see to it that we have experience of the saving operations of the same Spirit that is now poured out on the land. How sorrowful and melancholy is the case, when it is otherwise! For one to stand at the head of a congregation of God's people, as representing Christ and speaking in his stead; and to act the part of a shepherd and guide to a people in such a state of things, when many are under great awakenings, many are converted, and many of God's saints are filled with divine light, love, and joy; to undertake to instruct and lead them all under these various circumstances; to be put to it continually to play the hypocrite, and force the airs of a saint in preaching; and from time to time in private conversation, and particular dealing with souls, to undertake to judge of their circumstances; to try to talk with persons of experience, as if he knew how to converse with them, and had experience as well as they; to make others believe that he rejoices when others are converted; and to force a pleased and joyful countenance and manner of speech, when there is nothing in the heart; what sorrowful work is here! Oh how miserable must such a person feel! What a wretched bondage and slavery in this! What pains, and how much art, must such a minister user to conceal himself! And how weak are his hands! What infinite provocation of the most high God, and displeasure of his Lord and Master, he incurs, by continuing a secret enemy to him in his heart, in such circumstances! I think there is a great deal of reason from the Scripture to conclude, that no sort of men in the world will be so low in hell as ungodly ministers. Every thing spoken of in Scripture, as that which aggravates guilt, and heightens divine wrath, meets in them. And what great disadvantages are unconverted ministers under, to oppose any irregularities, imprudences, or intemperate zeal, which they may see in those who are the children of God, when they are conscious to themselves that they have no zeal at all! If enthusiasm and wildness comes in like a flood, what poor, weak instruments are such ministers to withstand it! With what courage can they open their mouths, when they look inward, and consider how it is with them!'

An unconverted minister should be terrified of hell!

Next week's reading

Conclude Part V by reading Section III.

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