The Religious Affections

This book is among the best-known works of Jonathan Edwards. Edwards seeks to distinguish between true and false religion by showing the marks of a saving work of the Holy Spirit in men. In his Preface, Edwards stresses the importance of using "our utmost endeavors clearly to discern ...wherein true religion does consist". For "till this be done, it may be expected that great revivings of religion will be but of short continuance". Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was one of the few truly great theologians of the English-speaking world, who began his ministry at Northampton, Massachusetts, when New England had drifted from the Puritanism of its founders.