1746 JONATHAN EDWARDS. Religious Affections. First Edition of Significant Great Awakening Text w/ Fascinating Provenance

Wonderfully provenanced example of Jonathan Edwards classic work on the nature of true interior conversion by the Spirit. After the revival period under the ministries of Edwards, Whitefield, the Tennents, and a myriad of others, it was found that many impacted emotionally during the gracious outpouring were no longer followers of Jesus. To help his congregation understand their own faith and to explain the phenomena of false conversion to a wider audience who were then questioning their own faith and the validity of the Awakening itself, he put pen to paper. Many consider this the definitive work of the Great Awakening period. Deeply pastoral, experimental, and theological bound together in a single work. The first edition, represented here and now very rare, had a whopping 3,000 subscribed copies sold. That was almost unheard of at the time and testifies to the interest of the subject and the influence of its author.

Edwards deftly describes how emotion and intellect both play a role, retaining a role for the theological and experimental preaching of the Awakening, but emphasizes that "converting grace" is what causes Christians to "awaken" to see that forgiveness is available to all who have faith that Jesus' sacrifice atones for all sins. Edwards then describes the importance of testing new faith and discerning whether it is legitimate. He lays out twelve tests of true conversion, including ways of measuring allegedly fruitful works.

The present copy is inscribed on the pastedown and ffep respectively by Moses Clark and then Oliver Clark of Northampton. Both Moses and Oliver were descendants of Elder John Strong [1610-1699]. Strong was one of the founders of Northampton, MA, the scene of Edwards’ ministry, having emigrated on board the Hopewell in 1635. He and 7 other men founded First Church in Northampton in 1661 and appointed one Solomon Stoddard, Jonathan Edwards’ grandfather, pastor. Moses [b.1716] was great-great-grandson of Elder Strong. He attended Edwards’ ministry, was apparently converted and entered into membership during the period and is listed as one of the subscribers to the first edition [1749] of Edwards’ Life of David Brainerd. He likely knew Brainerd and was likely one of the first subscribers to the present work as well. Oliver appears to have been Moses’ son, also attendant upon the ministry at Northampton.

Edwards, Jonathan. A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections, In Three Parts. Boston: S. Kneeland and T. Green, 1746, First Edition. [2], vi, 343, [9] pp.

Bound in contemporary full calf with early American naïve folk over-spine with central stitching; quite charming. Gaps between block and gutter. Corners consolidated with losses to leather. Overall in good to very good condition. First three leaves tender at base. Very slight tide mark at least few leaves. Rare and desirable.

Baumann Fine Books currectly offering an example at $6,500.00