Creation of JCF Statement of FaithReligious Affections ~ Jonathan EdwardsJonathan Edwards wrote two books on discerning true and counterfeit spiritual experiences. The earlier was "Some Thoughts Concerning the Present Revival of Religion in New England," and the second, a much fuller work, was entitled "A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections" and was published in 1746.
Edwards recognised that true revivals are usually accompanied by human errors and carnal emotions. In this book he deals exhaustively with twelve things which are not certain signs of a true work of God. Then he deals with twelve things which are most certainly evidence of 'truly gracious and holy affections'.
This work is of immense value today to both those who decry the expression of any emotions in Christian experience, as well as those who equate emotional expressions as the only evidence of true spirituality.
The original work is in the public domain and this electronic version was prepared for the The Christian Classics Ethereal Library at http://www.ccel.org/, which is an absolute feast of Christian etexts! Please pay them a visit. You will be enriched by their huge downloadable library of Christian etexts. We are grateful to Harry Plantinga for allowing us to place this great work in the Revival Library.
Book Introduction
THERE is no question whatsoever, that is of greater importance to mankind, and what is more concerns every individual person to be well resolved in, than this: What are the distinguishing qualifications of those that are in favor with God, and entitled to his eternal rewards? Or, which comes to the same thing, What is the nature of true religion? And wherein do lie the distinguishing notes of that virtue and holiness that is acceptable in the sight of God? But though it be of such importance, and though we have clear and abundant light in the word of God to direct us in this matter, yet there is no one point, wherein professing Christians do more differ one from another. It would be endless to reckon up the variety of opinions in this point, that divide the Christian world; making manifest the truth of that declaration of our Savior, "Strait is the gate and narrow is the way, that leads to life, and few there be that find it."
The consideration of these things has long engaged me to attend to this matter, with the utmost diligence and care, and exactness of search and inquiry, that I have been capable of. It is a subject on which my mind has been peculiarly intent, ever since I first entered on the study of divinity. But as to the success of my inquiries it must be left to the judgment of the reader of the following treatise.
-- from the Author's Introduction
http://www.ccel.org/e/edwards/affection ... tions.html
| View dfilename Return Home |