Genuine and Counterfeit.
By Joseph Clarke
In all great religious reforms, it appears that Satan does all in his power to mix false experiences with genuine, and all reformers have been forced to meet this evil. Jeremiah, speaking of the great reformation in the days of the good king Josiah (see chap. 3: 6-11), says, “And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the Lord.” Luther was brought face to face with the most absurd fanaticism in his own ranks; and it appears that the work on the affections by Pres. Edwards was written in view of evils existing in his day, of the kind therein mentioned. In his preface to that work he thus writes:— “During revivals of religion those persons who are engaged to defend its cause, are, in general, most exposed where they are least apprehensive of danger. While they are wholly intent upon the opposition which presents itself before them, the grand enemy of the church comes behind, and gives them a fatal stab before they perceive it. As he is not opposed by any guard, he strikes at his leisure and wounds the deeper. At such seasons, the friends of Christ are scattered, the confidence of the people of God is shaken, and their minds perplexed with doubts.”
To head off the enemy and drive him from his fortresses, Dr. Edwards does not enter upon an analysis of the heresy, and thus begin an endless discussion; but takes up the subject of the affections, and shows conclusively that true religion begins, continues, and ends, in the affections. He says in his preface: “What I now have in view is to describe the nature of the gracious operations of the Holy Spirit, and to point out the peculiar signs by which they are distinguished from everything besides, to which the mind of man can possibly be subject.” He takes for his text 1 Pet. 1: 8: “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” He thus opens his argument:— “The apostle here describes the state of mind of the Christians he addressed while they were suffering those persecutions and manifold temptations referred to in the preceding verses as the trial of their faith. Such trials benefit religion. They try the faith of professors, and show whether it is genuine. They exhibit the beauty, amiableness, and excellency of true religion, which never appears so lovely as when it is most oppressed. They also tend to purify it from corrupt mixtures, establish and confirm it, and render it more lively and vigorous.”
Dr. Edwards proceeds to show the genuine fruits of love, and its manner of working. He shows the close connection there is between the5affections and the will, and the certain consequences of a defect in this matter; and he proves clearly that genuine religion has its seat in the affections. It is a significant fact that a man of Dr. Edwards’ piety and good judgment should have taken this way of meeting error. It is the only true way. It is the inductive plan. It presents us first a beautiful picture, that of love, and leads the mind on by degrees to see the objects (idols) which dim our view of this glorious virtue. Most, if not all, have some favorite idol which we love more than God. This it is that separates us from God. To get these idols out of the way, we should love God more, and our idols will then fall. We must love God fervently, cleave to him perpetually, obey him cheerfully, work for him zealously. There must be a will set and firm for God and for his truth.