How do we discern between true religion, and false? In this classic treatise on the nature of authentic faith, enormously influential American preacher and theologian JONATHAN EDWARDS (1703-1758) explores the difference between true and counterfeit religious experiences, and how deep and sincere emotion can accentuate a real connection to God. This profound 1746 text examines both the genuine signs of an instance of God's interaction with the faithful-such as the potential "beautiful symmetry and proportion" of a revelation-as well as "signs" that offer no evidence: the "appearance of love" in a possible communication with God, for instance, is not enough to cement its divinity. Passionate and contentious, this exploration of the place of emotion in religious experience continues to confound and enlighten seekers of spiritual succor centuries after it was written.

In a time where religion intellectualism has started to wane and the mystical philosophies of emotion have started to take over the church, this work is vitally important. Even in his day, Edwards dealt with people that were putting too much emphasis on either Intellectualism or Affection and not seeing the importance of both of them together. This volume helps to bridge the gap and gives us an alternative to worrying about bad emotions in our church to allowing a balanced experience of emotion in our churches. Now in larder print!

A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections is a famous publication written in 1746 by Jonathan Edwards describing his philosophy about the process of Christian conversion in Northampton, Massachusetts, during the First Great Awakening, which emanated from Edwards' congregation starting in 1734. Edwards wrote the Treatise to explain how true religious conversion to Christianity occurs. Edwards describes how emotion and intellect both play a role, but "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._x000D_

The report for 1870/1871 includes "An alphabetical catalogue" of the library, and later reports include "List of books added" up to .