This work of God, as it was carried on, and the number of true saints
multiplied, soon made a glorious alteration in the town: so that in the
spring and summer following, anno 1735, the town seemed to be full of
the presence of God: it never was so full of love, nor of joy, and yet
so full of distress, as it was then. There were remarkable tokens of
God's presence in almost every house. It was a time of joy in families
on account of salvation being brought to them; parents rejoicing over
their children as new born, and husbands over their wives, and wives
over their husbands. The doings of God were then seen in His sanctuary,
God's day was a delight, and His tabernacles were amiable. Our public
assemblies were then beautiful: the congregation was alive in God's
service, every one earnestly intent on the public worship, every hearer
eager to drink in the words of the minister as they came from his mouth;
the assembly in general were, from time to time, in tears while the word
was preached; some weeping with sorrow and distress, others with joy and
love, others with pity and concern for the souls of their neighbors.
Our public praises were then greatly enlivened; God was then served in
our psalmody, in some measure, in the beauty of holiness. It has been
588. Our religion is wise and foolish. Wise, because it is the most learned
and the most founded on miracles, prophecies, etc. Foolish, because it is
not all this which makes us belong to it. This makes us, indeed, condemn
those who do not belong to it; but it does not cause belief in those who do
belong to it. It is the cross that makes them believe, ne evacuata sit
crux.103 And so Saint Paul, who came with wisdom and signs, says that he has
come neither with wisdom nor with signs; for he came to convert. But those
who come only to convince can say that they come with wisdom and with signs.
SECTION IX: PERPETUITY
589. On the fact that the Christian religion is not the only religion.--So
far is this from being a reason for believing that it is not the true one
that, on the contrary, it makes us see that it is so.
590. Men must be sincere in all religions; true heathens, true Jews, true
Christians.
591. J. C.
Heathens | Mahomet
\ . . . . . . . . . . . . . /
Ignorance of God
592. The falseness of other religions.--They have no witnesses. Jews have.
God defies other religions to produce such signs: Isaiah 43:9; 44:8.
593. History of C