Jonathan Edwards Personal Narrative

I had a variety of concerns and exercises about my soul from my childhood; but had two more remarkable seasons of awakening, before I met with that change by which I was brought to those new dispositions, and that new sense of things, that I have since had. The first time was when I was a boy, some years before I went to college, at a time of remarkable awakening in my father's congregation. I was then very much affected for many months and concerned about the things of religion, and my soul's salvation; and was abundant in duties. I used to pray five times a day in secret, and to spend much time in religious talks with other boys; and used to meet with them to pray together. I experienced I know not what kind of delight in my religion. my mind was much engaged in it, and had much righteous pleasure; and it was my delight to abound in religious duties. I with some of my school schoolmates joined together, and built a booth in a swamp, in a very retired spot, for a place of prayer. And besides, I had particular secret places of much affected. my affections seemed to be lively and easily moved, and I seemed to be in my element when engaged in religious duties, and I am ready to think, many are deceived with such affections, and such a kind of delight as I then had in religion, and mistake it for grace...

Click here to read the full prayer (READ PDF).