Whenever Religion Revives Remarkably

Jonathan Edwards in his preface to Religious Affections says,

“And so it is ever likely to be in the church, whenever religion revives remarkably, till we have learned well to distinguish between true and false religion, between saving affections and experiences, and those manifold fair shows and glistering appearances by which they are counterfeited; the consequences of which, when they are not distinguished, are often inexpressibly dreadful.

By this means he (Satan) deceives great multitudes about the state of their souls, making them think they are something when they are nothing; and so eternally undoes them; and not only so, but establishes many in a strong confidence of their eminent holiness, who are in God’s sight some of the vilest of hypocrites.”

And Edwards finishes his preface by talking about the consequences of not being able to distinguish between true religious experience and counterfeit religion.

“And by what is seen of the terrible consequences of this counterfeit religion, when not distinguished from true religion, God’s people in general have their minds unhinged and unsettled in things of religion, and know not where to set their foot, or what to think or do; and many are brought into doubts, whether there be anything in religion; and heresy and infidelity and atheism prevail.”

This coming week we are reading Part One entitled “Concerning the Nature of the Affections, and Their Importance in Religion.”

~ by justineason on July 21, 2008.