A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections

by Jonathan Edwards

Publisher:

Faithlife

, 1996

Overview

Jonathan Edwards’ object in this book is to distinguish between true and false religion by showing the marks of a saving work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In his preface, Edwards stresses the importance of using “our utmost endeavors clearly to discern . . . wherein true religion does consist.” For “till this be done, it may be expected that great revivings of religion will be but of short continuance.”

Contents

• Concerning the Nature of the Affections, and their Importance in Religion
• Shewing What are No Certain Signs that Religious Affections are Gracious, or that They are Not
• Shewing What are Distinguishing Signs of Truly Gracious and Holy Affections

Top Highlights

“Doctrine. True religion, in great part, consists in holy affections” (Page 2)

“There is no question whatsoever, that is of greater importance to mankind, and that it 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?” (Page ix)

“It is no new thing, that much false religion should prevail, at a time of great reviving of true religion; and that at such a time multitudes of hypocrites should spring up among true saints.” (Page ix)

“Religious sorrow, mourning, and brokenness of heart, are also frequently spoken of as a great part of true religion.” (Page 9)

“It appears plainly to have been in the visible church of God, in times of great reviving of religion, from time to time, as it is with the fruit trees in the spring; there are a multitude of blossoms, all of which appear fair and beautiful, and there is a promising appearance of young fruits; but many of them are but of short continuance; they soon fall off, and never come to maturity.” (Page x)

Product Details

• Title: A Treatise concerning Religious Affections
• Author: Jonathan Edwards
• Publisher: Faithlife
• Print Publication Date: 1996
• Logos Release Date: 2001
• Era: era:modern
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Emotions › Religious aspects--Christianity
• Resource ID: LLS:42.90.4
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-02-20T21:06:02Z

About Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) is considered one of America’s greatest theologians. While attending Yale College, he encountered the same Calvinism that had influenced his own Puritan upbringing.

Three years after Edwards was ordained as a minister, the First Great Awakening began in his church, which prompted Edwards to study conversion and revival within the context of Calvinism. During the revival, Edwards preached his most famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” and penned many of his most popular works, including Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God, A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections, and Life and Diary of the Rev. David Brainerd.

In 1757, Edwards reluctantly became president of the College of New Jersey (Princeton University), where he hoped to complete two major works—an expansion of his treatise on the history of redemption and a study of the harmony of the Old and New Testaments. The Works of Jonathan Edwards (26 vols.) is a massive collection containing five decades’ worth of study and scholarship on and from Edwards.