Narrative of Suprising ConversionsThe book gives accounts of the thrills and chills that attended the glorious events of that great awakening in New England in 1734, 35. It all began with the sudden death of a young person. This was followed by the death of a young married woman who had been much exercised about the condition of her soul. This led to much solemnity among the young people. They began to meet in small social groups. An outbreak of Arminianism which caused ''friends of vital piety'' to tremble for the issue. Many who had looked upon themselves as in a Christian condition seemed to be awakened by it, with fear that God was about to withdraw His hand. This caused ''a kind of trembling fear with their doubts, lest they should be led into bypaths to their eternal undoing.'' With much concern they began 'to inquire what was indeed the way . . . to be accepted with God'' ''And then it was . . . that the Spirit of God began extraordinarily to set in, and to wonderfully work amongst us. There ''were very suddenly, one after another, five or six persons who were to all appearances savingly converted, '' some remarkably. Here, in Edwards' words, is an example of what happened: ''In all companies, on other days, on whatever occasions persons met together, Christ was to be heard of and seen in the midst of them. Our young people, when they met, were accustomed to spend the time in talking of the Excellency and dying love of Jesus Christ, the glory of the way of salvation, the wonderful, free, and sovereign grace of God, His glorious work in the conversion of a soul, the truth and certainty of the great things of God's Word, the sweetness of the views of His perfections, etc. And even at weddings, which formerly were mere occasions of mirth and jollity, there was now no discourse on anything but religion, and no appearance of anything but spiritual mirth'' (p. 27). Can it that there will be another such visitation of God the Spirit as to see the young people of our day talking to one another in that vein? Yes, for this is the magnitude of the work of God when His Spirit determines to new creatures in Christ Jesus, and to induct thousands into the family of God. At that time, early in the eighteenth century, ungodliness had reigned just as firmly as it does now as we enter into the twenty-first century! ''If the spirit that is at work among a people operates as a spirit of love to God and man, it is a sure sign that is the Spirit of God. ''everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God'' (1 John 4:7). |
From inside the book
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Page 9
... mercy to her , before her death ; so that she died very full of comfort , in a most earnest and moving manner warning and counselling others . This seemed to contribute to render solemn the spirits of many young persons ; and there ...
... mercy to her , before her death ; so that she died very full of comfort , in a most earnest and moving manner warning and counselling others . This seemed to contribute to render solemn the spirits of many young persons ; and there ...
Page 13
... mercy . For instance , the first parish in Windsor , under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Marsh , was thus blest about the same time as we in Northampton , while we had no knowledge of each other's circumstances . There has been a ...
... mercy . For instance , the first parish in Windsor , under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Marsh , was thus blest about the same time as we in Northampton , while we had no knowledge of each other's circumstances . There has been a ...
Page 15
... mercy ; but if I may be allowed to declare any thing that appears to me probable in a thing of this nature , I hope that more than 300 souls were savingly brought home to Christ , in this town , in the space of half a year , and about ...
... mercy ; but if I may be allowed to declare any thing that appears to me probable in a thing of this nature , I hope that more than 300 souls were savingly brought home to Christ , in this town , in the space of half a year , and about ...
Page 19
... mercy who were so wicked as they . When awakenings first begin , their consciences are commonly most exercised about their outward vicious course , or other acts of sin ; but afterwards are much more burdened with a sense of heart ...
... mercy who were so wicked as they . When awakenings first begin , their consciences are commonly most exercised about their outward vicious course , or other acts of sin ; but afterwards are much more burdened with a sense of heart ...
Page 20
... mercy to them who are such vipers ; and are often tempted to leave off in despair . But then perhaps by something they read or hear of the infinite mercy of God , and all - sufficiency of Christ for the chief of sinners , they have some ...
... mercy to them who are such vipers ; and are often tempted to leave off in despair . But then perhaps by something they read or hear of the infinite mercy of God , and all - sufficiency of Christ for the chief of sinners , they have some ...
Contents
7 | |
The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God | 52 |
The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the True Spirit | 60 |
Distinguishing Evidences of a Work of the Spirit of God | 75 |
Practical Inferences | 83 |
An Account of the Revival in Northampton in 174042 in a Letter | 101 |
Common terms and phrases
Achaia affected amongst angel of light apostle apostle Paul appeared asked attended awakened blessed bones waxed children of men Christian church circumstances concern congregation conscience conversion conviction convinced corruption darkness degree devil distress divine grace divine things dreadful earnestly eminent eternal evidently exceeding exceedingly excellency exercises experiences extraordinary gifts false fear give glorious glory God's gospel grace gracious greatly guilty heard hearts heaven Holy Spirit hope influences instances Jesus Christ Jews judge kingdom kingdom of God light live Lord manifest manner mercy minds minister mother nature neighbor never Northampton observed occasion particular persons prayer preached prophets ready reason religious remarkable revival righteousness rule saints salvation Satan saving savingly Scripture seemed sense sensible sinners sins sometimes souls speak Spirit of God strong suppose sweet thought town true Spirit truth unpardonable sin wonderful words wrought young
Popular passages
Page 79 - If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
Page 99 - For it was not an enemy that reproached me ; Then I could have borne it : Neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me ; Then I would have hid myself from him : But it was thou, a man mine equal, My guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, And walked unto the house of God in company.
Page 52 - Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them ; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Page 53 - Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows...
Page 88 - And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
Page 89 - Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Page 57 - Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand : and if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?