C A TREATISE CONCERNING RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS, IN THREE PARTS. I. NATURE OF THE AFFECTIONS, AND THEIR IMPORTANCE IN RELIGION. III. SHOWING WHAT ARE DISTINGUISHING SIGNS OF TRULY GRACIOUS AND HOLY BY THE LATE REVEREND JONATHAN FDWARDS, A. M. PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON COLLEGE. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, A Sketch of the Life of the Author. PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED BY JAMES CRISSY, NO. 177, CHESNUT STREET, OPPOSITE THE STATE HOUSE. G. GOODMAN, PRINTER. 1821. ADVERTISEMENT. After this work had gone to press, it was suggested to the publisher that some biographical information of its justly esteemed author, would be peculiarly acceptable to the reader and give a higher interest to the work. A sketch of the Author's life, his edifying diary, and a very particular account of his conversion, have accordingly been added. As the works of the late President Edwards may not have been. so generally diffused as many other works of less instructive tenor, the present publisher of his Treatise on Religious Affections deems it necessary to insert the recommendation of the following reverend gentlemen: Recommendation. Mr. James Crissy, printer, being about to republish, in a single volume, the "Treatise concerning Religious Affections," by the late President Edwards, and wishing an expression of the sentiments of some of the Ministers, relative to the utility of the work, the difficulty lies in attempting to recommend a book, the praise of which is in the churches. It admits of no rival on its subject, which is uninspired. The language is heavy, but every part of it indispensable. It is constantly put into the hands of those who wish to know themselves, and whether they be really Christians. To such we recommend it. JAMES P. WILSON. J. J. JANEWAY. T. H. SKINNER. J. BRODHEAD. A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF PRESIDENT EDWARDS, WITH EXTRACTS FROM HIS DIARY, AND OTHER PRIVATE WRITINGS; TOGETHER WITH HIS OWN ACCOUNT OF HIS CONVERSION. MR. JONATHAN EDWARDS was born on the 5th of October, 1703, at Windsor, in the state of Connecticut, North America. His father was minister of that place almost sixty years: he was descended from Mr. Richard Edwards, minister of the gospel in London, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, by whom it seems, his wife was employed for some part of her royal attire. In short, by his lineage it appears, that his ancestors came from the west of England, and allied themselves, upon their emigration, to some of the best families in the new country, whither they came. Our author was entered at Yale College in 1716, and was made Bachelor of Arts in 1720, before he was seventeen years of age. His mental powers opened themselves so early and so strongly, that he read Locke's Essay upon Human Understanding with delight, in his second year at this college, 'when other boys usually amuse themselves with Robinson Crusoe, or books of romance and amusement. He discovered thus early an uncommon depth, solidity, and penetration of mind, which found nothing so pleasant to itself, as the exercise of its own powers. He lived at College nearly two years after taking his first degree, preparing himself, principally, for the sacred function. After passing the usual trials, he was licensed. In August, 1722, he received a call to preach to the English presbyterians at New-York, where he continued with approbation above eight months. This society was then too small to maintain a minister; and therefore, in the spring of the year 1723, he returned to his father's house in Connecticut, where during the following summer, he followed his studies with the closest applica |