PART I. Concerning the Nature of the Affections,
and their Importance in Religion.

PART II. Shewing what are no certain Signs that reli-
gious Affections are gracious, or that they are not.
PART III. Shewing what are diftinguishing Signs of
truly gracious and holy Affections.

By Jonathan Edwards, A. M.

And Paftor of the first Church in Northampton.

Levit. ix. ult. and x. 1, 2. And there came a Fire out from before the
Lord,upon the Altar;-----which when all the People faw, they
Shouted and fell on their Faces. And Nadab and Abihu-----offered
Arange Fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not: And
there went out a Fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they
died before the Lord.

Cant. ii. 12, 13. The Flowers appear on the Earth, the Time of the
Singing of Birds is come, and the Voice of the Turtle is heard in our
Land; the Fig-tree putteth forth her green Figs, and the Vines with
the tender Grape, give a good Smell. Ver. 15. Take us the Foxes,
the little Foxes, which spoil the Vines; for our Vines have tender
Grapes.

The SECOND EDITION.

BOSTON PRINTED:

NEW-YORK; Re-printed by J. PARKER, for GARRAT NOEL,
near the Merchant's Coffee-Houfe. 1768.

THE

PREFACE.

HERE is no Queftion whatfoever, that is of greater Importance to Mankind, and that it more concerns every individual Perfon to be well refolved in, than this, What are the diftinguishing Qualifications of thofe that are in Favour with God, and entitled to his eternal Rewards? Or, which comes to the fame Thing, What is the Nature of true Religion? and wherein do lie the diftinguishing Notes of that Virtue and Holiness, that is acceptable in the Sight of God. But tho' it be of fuch Importance, and tho' we have clear and abundant Light in the Word of God, to direct us in this Matter, yet there is no one Point, wherein profeffing Chriftians do more differ one from another. It would be endless to reckon up the Variety of Opinions in this Point, that divide the Chriftian World; making manifeft the Truth of that of our Saviour, Strait is the Gate, and narrow is the Way, that leads to Life, and few there be that find it.

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The Confideration of thefe Things has long engaged me to attend to this Matter, with the utmoft Diligence and Care, and Exactnefs of Search and Enquiry, that I have been capable of: It is a Subject on which my Mind has been peculiarly intent, ever fince I firft entred on the Study of Divinity. But as to the Succefs of my Enquiries, it must be left to the Judgment of the Reader of the following Treatife.

I am fenfible it is much more difficult to judge impartially of that which is the Subject of this Difcourfe, in the midft of the Duft and Smok of fuch a State of Controverfy, as this Land is now in, about Things of this Nature: As it is more difficult to write impartially, fo it is more difficult to read impartially. Many will probably be hurt in their Spirits, to find fo much that appertains to religious Affections,

here