slow, partial, and doubtful information, and false representations of common report. Thus I have (I hope, by the help of God) finished what I proposed. I have taken the more pains in it, because it appears to me, that now God is giving us the most happy season to attempt a universal reformation, that ever was given in New England. And it is a thousand pities that we should fail of that which would be so glorious, for want of being sensible of our opportunity, or being aware of those things that tend to hinder it, or our taking improper courses to obtain it, or not being sensible in what way God expects we should seek it. If it should please God to bless any means, for the convincing the country of his hand in this work, and bringing them fully and freely to acknowledge his glorious power and grace in it, and engage with one heart and soul, and by due methods, to endeavor to promote it, it would be a dispensation of Divine Providence that would have a most glorious aspect, happily signifying the approach of great and glorious things to the church of God, and justly causing us to hope that Christ would speedily come, to set up his kingdom of fight, holiness, peace and joy on earth, as is foretold in his word. Amen. Even so come Lord Jesus! essential to religion, 123 -, high, prevail in heaven, Bartlet, Phebe, her case, 97 her secret prayer, 97 100 ing, 232 should be regulated, 342 their peculiar danger, soon left in a revival, Agreement in prayer, benefits of, 400 Apostles practiced frequent preach- A priori judgment of the work, 117 concern for sinners, 102 249 241 has been a means of great evils, not blamable for being abused, Bitterness should not be shown to op- Blessedness of joining in the work, 209 successfully opposed, 36 Boston ministers, their preface, xxvi Assuming airs of ministers, 287 Business should sometimes give way INDEX. must be rooted out be- fore revivals, 351 ministers destroys the good of their preaching, 348 by other ministers, 345 not a means of good to the unconverted, 346 for coldness, 348 Character of the people in Northamp- Charity, a duty in revivals, 405 pleasing to God, 405 honorable to religion, 373 Confusion not the necessary effect of strong feeling, 250 will stop the work, 360 Connecticut, revivals in, 42 not a rule of duty, 307 Controversy about Arminianism, its does not lead to self-righteous-Controversies hinder the work, 107 ness, 408 Children, many converted, 46 need regeneration, 242 Conversion, first in the revival, 37 various manner of, 48 imperfect ideas of, 65 Children's meetings objected against, the time, 67 259 suddenness of, 66 -, compared to light, 70 Conversions daily, 39 86 Converts, their number, 45 57 aged persons, 46 children, 46 often need encouragement, characteristics of, 73 Convictions, legal, described, 52 sion, 81 allowance to be made for, should be full and specific, 409 Distress of sinners not a reason for cannot be wholly avoided, 312 Doddridge's school, 390 Doubts and fears, causes of, 80 Doubting of the work, its absurdity, 160 danger of, 187 E. Earnest speaking, natural effect of not an objection to revivals, 253 of the revival, 158 God's permission of them, 152 on, 226 , in revivals, should be corrected 263 should be freely pointed out, |